Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 20:08:45 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Need help with belts
In-Reply-To: <7f.fd66ae9.27b1d3b3@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Never ever operate the engine without the water pump. Even from a cold
start. The heads and cylinder tops will heat up fast and without the water
flowing, will destroy the seals in those areas. The temp gauge is useless
with out the pump as the sender is not in direct contact with the engine.
You will have steam and excess pressure by the time the gauge indicates
anything. As the belts were changed 7 months ago, when was the last time
they were checked and what quality belts were used? Loose/broken brackets
and bad bearings are usual causes for belts to come off and fail. Replacing
the belts is fairly easy. You will have to remove one end of a small coolant
hose for the Power Steering belt. The A/C Compressor has a jacking screw to
help tension it. you will need 13 mm wrenches for the Alternator. A 22mm if
you have the toothed top bolt for holding tension. The Power steering pump
may need to have the bottom bolt loosened so it can pivot, (17mm wrench).
And you may need a 10mm Allen wrench for the AC pivots.
Hope this helps,
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of S Sittservl
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 5:25 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Need help with belts
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
