Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:18:15 -0800
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt
In-Reply-To: <410029d70911061308j43cc6dudfde36378d7b91c4@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Bill,
Yes, when I was putting on the belt I turned the various items, they all seem OK. Yeah, I'm thinking of looking for some kind of bump or something to get the front end high, and I understand wedging something in throttle to keep RPM's high, or my water jug on the gas pedal. Looked around for any leaks or damage...none seen. The belt was in sad shape...my own fault....looked good from above, but when turned inside out, it just cracks and crumbles like..."an old fan belt".
Thanks for the advice....will wait a bit longer for other list advice, then shut computer down and do the bleeding. McDonalds is convenient for internet, and washing up after working on the car (although I do carry a small container of GoJo waterless hand soap...priceless in a time of need). Might need to "motel" it tonight, starting to get late in the afternoon and still a long way to go to get supplies, find a campground, etc. Don't want to be in the middle of nowhere unless I'm confident in the vehicle's mechanical condition.
Rich
--- On Fri, 11/6/09, W Monk <billmonk@gmail.com> wrote:
From: W Monk <billmonk@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt
To: "Richard Koerner" <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Date: Friday, November 6, 2009, 1:08 PM
Rich,
Did you give the a/c,powersteering,alternator,and waterpump a turn by hand to make sure
that they aren't seized or tight? Hopefully it was just a belt (I have had one break before
so it is possible with the 2.1 it likes to rip off the hose going to the coolant ring). I would
take and pull the nose up on a curb somewhere. Stick a dime holding the throttle open
and try to add some more coolant. While its still idling high open the bleeder screw on
top of the radiator and see what comes out. If only coolant comes out your all set,if bubbles keep bleeding it. Might be time for a Libby coolant bong......see thesamba.com
Bill
On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 3:39 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Volks,
Was merrily cruisin along on my way to Corpus Christi from Austin. Am about 50 miles north of Corpus Christi. Red blinking temp light, alternator light on, temp needle rising fast. (I'm ALWAYS scanning gauges and lights, couldn't have been overheating for more than a minute or two I think.) Immediately pulled over and shut down. Dripping coolant from rear. Opened hatch; coolant tank almost empty, gurgling, overflow tank still had about normal. Broken belt to the water pump.
Luckily, I had all 3 brand new belts. Figured out which was which by process of elimination. Couldn't figure out how to get the AC belt off; don't use it, so cut it off with a knife. Loosened power steering pump and alternator, removed all belts. Replaced the power steering and alternator/water pump belt, tightened up the bracket with reasonable tension on belt, not too much.
Filled empty coolant tank with water. Started engine. Immediately it sucked out all the water I added. So I added more. Stabilized. Shut off engine. Added water to overflow tank. Re-started engine, revved it over 2000, sucked more coolant into engine, then when idle returns to 850, coolant rises to top. Put all caps back on tanks. Said a prayer of thanks.
All seems normal now. Did I do any permanent damage? Idles fine, runs fine, temp needle right on the LED as per normal. Drove at 55 on the freeway to this McDonalds for WiFi. It's about 2:30 Texas time, Friday afternoon.
About all I think I need to do is try to bleed the radiator, if I can find a place to raise the front end. Anything else I should do? System was bled and coolant replaced about a year ago; I do it like clockwork every 2 years.
Rich
85 GL with a 1.9, 178,000 miles, off the road in Texas, simmering down
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