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Date:         Tue, 6 Feb 2001 21:12:30 -0700
Reply-To:     Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: Need help with belts
Comments: To: John Klun <jklun@GJ.NET>

BTDT. And it actually worked!

Don't quite know what you mean about rolling it up, though. I used one leg, stretched tight around the pulleys, and then tied in a knot. Used a knife to cut off the excess.

Kept it under about 2000 rpms and made it about five mile to a shop.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message ----- From: "John Klun" <jklun@GJ.NET> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 7:04 PM Subject: Re: Need help with belts

> A few years ago, Shell Gasoline published a series of helpful hints pamphlets > covering various quick fixes when you break down on the road. One of them had to > do with broken belts. They recommended using your wife's, girl friend's, > mistress's (or even your own) panty hose. Simply roll it up tightly, run it > around the pulleys and tie it tight with a small knot. This should get you to > the nearest repair facility. > > Benjamin Tan wrote: > > > Steven, > > > > << 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).>> > > > > ABSOLUTELY NOT. You will likely break the water T-pipe again if drive w/o the > > water pump running. The alternator and the water pump share a belt. The other > > stuff you can get away with. > > > > <<(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?>> > > > > Belts are relatively easy to replace. However, if you must use the temporary > > belts, they should work if you are able to cinch it up to get the water pump > > and alternator running. I have personally used a cable tie (a giant version > > of those little plastic ties used for wiring and stuff) as a temporary belt. > > > > << Any ideas what would cause new belts to spontaneously break?>> > > > > It is possible that the plastic shielding from the AC compressor slipped > > under the belts and caused them to twist on each other. Tightening the belt > > too much can cause this too. > > > > Changing belts is as easy as loosening bolts. Slipping the old belt off. New > > belt on. Put tension son the belt. Then tighten it all back up. > > > > BenT > > San Francisco


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