Belt snapped, safe to drive?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Belt snapped, safe to drive?
Hey all,
Just started my IX up after 5 days out of town and didn't think of what the cold would do to the belt. Soon had smoke pouring from under the hood. Took me about a minute to realize the serpentine belt had snapped.
Basically, she's sitting at home, so it's safe, but I need to get her to the garage somehow. Would it be safe for me to drive for around 10 miles or is that a seriously bad idea? I figure I won't have power steering, a working alternator and no cooling for the engine (it is cold though, think if I don't boost, the engine would only just about be warm by the time I got there)
Anything I'm missing or any major issues someone think I could end up having without the belt working? If so, I'll just get a proper twoing service to do it.
Thanks a lot for the advice!
Just started my IX up after 5 days out of town and didn't think of what the cold would do to the belt. Soon had smoke pouring from under the hood. Took me about a minute to realize the serpentine belt had snapped.
Basically, she's sitting at home, so it's safe, but I need to get her to the garage somehow. Would it be safe for me to drive for around 10 miles or is that a seriously bad idea? I figure I won't have power steering, a working alternator and no cooling for the engine (it is cold though, think if I don't boost, the engine would only just about be warm by the time I got there)
Anything I'm missing or any major issues someone think I could end up having without the belt working? If so, I'll just get a proper twoing service to do it.
Thanks a lot for the advice!
#2
Silver Sponsor
iTrader: (57)
Don't do it. The previous overheating issue should show that the safest bet is to not drive it. Especially since overheating can cause a warped head, blown headgasket, etc before total engine failure.
Can you do it yourself? Get a new tensioner and belt. It's not that hard!
If you drive it, coasting a lot will help cool her down. Stop half way and let cool (get lunch).
Can you do it yourself? Get a new tensioner and belt. It's not that hard!
If you drive it, coasting a lot will help cool her down. Stop half way and let cool (get lunch).
#5
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ireland
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
very easy to fit a new belt
you could drive the car ie just to move it on to the tow truck etc make sure all the old belt is taking out , but as said the water pump is run off that belt and could do alot of damage
you could drive the car ie just to move it on to the tow truck etc make sure all the old belt is taking out , but as said the water pump is run off that belt and could do alot of damage
Trending Topics
#8
Newbie
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it started pouring smoke just from sitting there at idle, imagine how bad it would get driving it...
+1
Don't do it. The previous overheating issue should show that the safest bet is to not drive it. Especially since overheating can cause a warped head, blown headgasket, etc before total engine failure.
Can you do it yourself? Get a new tensioner and belt. It's not that hard!
If you drive it, coasting a lot will help cool her down. Stop half way and let cool (get lunch).
Can you do it yourself? Get a new tensioner and belt. It's not that hard!
If you drive it, coasting a lot will help cool her down. Stop half way and let cool (get lunch).
#9
Evolved Member
iTrader: (19)
you would be driving it on battery power alone, I doubt you will make it too far. You would have no power steering as well. I dont understand why folks are saying you will overheat, the water pump is controlled by the timing belt not serp belt. Your vehicle's computer controlled components will NOT like to have to be running on battery power alone though. If you have to move it 10 or 20 ft its not an issue, but I wouldnt actually go on a public road like that, totally unsafe. How far is the closest parts store or dealer? swapping in a new serp belt is fairly easy.
#10
Evolving Member
iTrader: (25)
I was just reading over your post again and if you saw smoke there might be another problem. Check all the idler pulleys and P/S pump and alt that they turn free with the belt off. If they don't spin free this is why the belt broke and you saw smoke. Also, check that the belt tensioner has proper tension on it.
On a side not the water pump is NOT controlled by the timing belt.
On a side not the water pump is NOT controlled by the timing belt.
#12
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys, guess I'll go with towing. Can't really change the belt where it sits as I live downtown and my parking space is barely big enough for the car itself :-(
Pretty sure the smoke was from friction between the pulleys and the belt as when it came off it got sort of stuck and there was a distinct smell of burning rubber. Thanks for the warning though, I'll make sure I check all the pulleys.
Pretty sure the smoke was from friction between the pulleys and the belt as when it came off it got sort of stuck and there was a distinct smell of burning rubber. Thanks for the warning though, I'll make sure I check all the pulleys.
#13
Evolved Member
iTrader: (17)
Thanks guys, guess I'll go with towing. Can't really change the belt where it sits as I live downtown and my parking space is barely big enough for the car itself :-(
Pretty sure the smoke was from friction between the pulleys and the belt as when it came off it got sort of stuck and there was a distinct smell of burning rubber. Thanks for the warning though, I'll make sure I check all the pulleys.
Pretty sure the smoke was from friction between the pulleys and the belt as when it came off it got sort of stuck and there was a distinct smell of burning rubber. Thanks for the warning though, I'll make sure I check all the pulleys.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kmodo
04-06 Ralliart Engine/Drivetrain
2
Oct 8, 2016 12:51 AM
jxs1984
Evo Engine / Turbo / Drivetrain
20
Nov 2, 2010 05:46 AM