Mazda B2500 Pick Up

[JAG]

I have recently acquired a 1996 Mazda B2500 Diesel Pick Up. Reasonable price, tidy condition, drives well, no oil or fluid leaks, best beloved likes the colour etc. However I am the original technological pigmy, and there is no handbook available. I have a couple of questions if any kind soul could help.....

1. Cam belt(s). There appear to be three seperate drive belts, all taking their power from a three groove pulley at the bottom of the engine. As far as I can see one drives the alternator, one the aircon compressor(?) and one the fuel pump. Is there a cam belt fitted on these engines, and at what milage should it be changed? All I know is that if a cambelt fails then it is expensive!

2. Tyre pressures - when I got the truck they were over pressured, and it bounced around like a bouncy castle, Ive pressed them to approx 2.5 bar. about right?

I know that these are basic knowledge points, but I want to take it for a service and be in a position to specify to the mechanic exactly what I want done too it.

Best beloved is of the opinion that I should "leave it to brother - he can take care everything" . well, he is good with a hammer but I will say no more in the interests of domestic harmony!

[RadekGCZ]

Belts: I dont expect to be crazy priced in Thailand 1-2K ThB, so I will change it, Oil change is recommended for every 2nd hand car, it will be also at 1k B, rest I will change when it will have problem but as you describe hard tires jumps, I will say check suspension and will recommend new set of 4 suspensions my bet is 2k B, driving comfort will be as new car. Try driving into curve with bad road surface - back of pick up will jump outwards after passing some hump, or let someone drive it and follow them on motrocycle and you will see if back of car is jumping, wheels should look like they are still on the road, not flying... Thailand is land of overloaded pick ups.

Tires pressure: depends on size 195/80 R14 195R14 can be up to 4bar, 245/70R16 2.5-3.0...

Engine can take 500-1.000.000kms....

[katabeachbum]

Belts: I dont expect to be crazy priced in Thailand 1-2K ThB, so I will change it, Oil change is recommended for every 2nd hand car, it will be also at 1k B, rest I will change when it will have problem but as you describe hard tires jumps, I will say check suspension and will recommend new set of 4 suspensions my bet is 2k B, driving comfort will be as new car. Try driving into curve with bad road surface - back of pick up will jump outwards after passing some hump, or let someone drive it and follow them on motrocycle and you will see if back of car is jumping, wheels should look like they are still on the road, not flying... Thailand is land of overloaded pick ups.

Tires pressure: depends on size 195/80 R14 195R14 can be up to 4bar, 245/70R16 2.5-3.0...

Engine can take 500-1.000.000kms....

and change brake fluid asap. it its older than 2 years boiling point is usually less than 160C

[Gary A]

And remember that Madza trucks are good but Ford trucks are no good. All the Thais will tell you that.

[RadekGCZ]

And remember that Madza trucks are good but Ford trucks are no good. All the Thais will tell you that.

It is true, Ford`s blue oval make fuel consumtion higher

[JAG]

Thanks for the advice and comments chaps. It seems that the engine fitted to my truck doesn't have an overhead cam and therefore no timing belt to worry about!

(this from the service manager from the Mazda dealers in Chiang Rai).

[Loz]

good old truck that! don't worry unduly about the belts. the ones you have are all under 300bht to change. Just keep an eye on the oil and water levels for the next few weeks just to be safe.

Well played with the B in L. no hammers required.

[apetley]

Thanks for the advice and comments chaps. It seems that the engine fitted to my truck doesn't have an overhead cam and therefore no timing belt to worry about!

(this from the service manager from the Mazda dealers in Chiang Rai).

I would check that if I was you as my friends B2500 was definitely DOHC.