Belt broken!

[Adamskiking]

New to bongo's so please forgive the lack of technical term's!!...be gentle!
I was just checking my oil when I noticed what looked like a broken cable sticking out from underneath, I started to pull it and a belt came out all shredded! On closer inspection it turns out to be the lower belt (not the one with 2 belts on it...thats the alternater right?) I've searched the forum and think it must be the Air con belt. We have been driving the bongo quite normally and it hasnt seem to affect anything...yet!
My question really is 1, is this safe to drive? 2, will this have caused damage to air con or anything else? 3, Sometimes it struggles to get started, every time I've taken it to a garage it starts first time (and repeatedly so and the garage cant find a fault bacause its starting) I've now ordered 3 belts (2 for alt 1 for air con) is it a case of just refitting the belt and everythings cooshty or will I have to replace the air con unit? Sorry a few questions here...your help will be very welcome!
Its a Diesel 4WD, 2.5lt 2002.

[Bob]

I would think you just need to fit new belts.

Others may know more.

[Simon Jones]

Might be a problem with the A/C compressor. I think 'Jaylee' on here had his compressor bearings seize which could cause the belt to snap.

[Adamskiking]

Are the belts easy to fit yourself or is it best done by a garage?

[nth]

The belt is easy to change but it depends on your own personal ability & having the correct tools. What one person regards as easy might be a nightmare for someone else.
Before fitting a new belt make sure the A/C compressor pulley spins nice & freely with no tight or rough spots. Also check if there is any freeplay in the pulley bearing.

[Diplomat]

After reading this thread I thought it would be timely to check if I still have 2 alternator belts. So, this very evening I lifted the nearside 'bonnet' and they were both still there. Well done Mazda, belt and braces.

Now I'm sitting at the computer and wondering whether I noticed if the power steering belt was intact. I'm not going back out to check.

As I near what will probably be my last decade as a driver, I realise that having driven since 1963 quite happily without A/C, a broken belt not driving the compressor is the least of my worries. I never use it anyway. I'm far more concerned about my window switches!


Frank

[Simon Jones]

Good luck finding a PS belt as its gear driven