Date:         Tue, 6 Feb 2001 17:24:51 EST
Reply-To:     Ssittservl@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         S Sittservl <Ssittservl@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Need help with belts
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

My '88 Westfalia is stranded once again.

While I was driving last night, apparently two belts broke
simultaneously while I was on my way to McDonalds. The "battery"
light came on, and, after I was in the drive-through lane, the
engine began to overheat, and I noticed my steering was no longer
"powered".  I pulled into a parking spot (after paying for, but
not receiving, my McChicken and fries; they got the order wrong
anyway) and discovered:

    (1) A little coolant on the ground
    (2) Two broken belts
    (3) On shattered plastic shield that I think used to fit
        over one of the pulleys, and
    (4) A third belt, turned inside-out and riding on the rims of
        two pulleys - the one on the engine, and the air conditioner.
        (I'm so glad that's the belt that survived - I'd hate to
        be without air conditioning in February.)

These were new belts, by the way - just put in by a local shop
7 months ago.

I'm hoping to avoid towing the thing.  I'm getting tired of towing it.
So, can anyone tell me how to replace the belts myself?

Neither the owner's manual nor the Bently manual tells how to do
this - at least not that I've found.  I suppose the owner's manual
assumes I'm so inept I wouldn't understand, whereas the Bently
assumes I'm so talented I don't need to be told.  I am, as it
happens, somewhere in between.  (I think.)

Two more questions in case, after hearing the instructions, I decide
I agree with the owner's manual's evaluation of my aptitude:

(1) Can I drive 5 miles to a shop beltless?  Certainly I can do without
    power steering or A/C, and I ought to be OK without the alternator
    for a while.  So, I suppose the only worry is the water pump?
    Can I run for 5 miles un-cooled on a cold day, if I watch my
    temperature gauge?  (Note: when my belts broke 7 months ago, I
    didn't realize it at first, and kept driving.  Within 5 minutes,
    the coolant distributer box had burst, necessitating a tow and yet
    another round of expensive repairs.  Obviously I don't want to
    repeat that, but it was in the middle of summer, and I wondered
    if that might make a difference).

(2) I think Wal-Mart carries temporary-use "emergency belts" that strap
    on easily.  Any thoughts about using one of those to get the van to
    a shop?

Also, is there a manual available that would tell me about things
like belt replacement?  Perhaps the Haynes, or Bus Depot's
pocket manual?

Any ideas what would cause new belts to spontaneously break?

Thank you.

                           -Steven Sittser