Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:31:06 -0600
Reply-To: Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt
In-Reply-To: <323837.51038.qm@web83604.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
DO Not...I repeat Do Not stay at the Modern Motel in Corpus on SPID. You
can stay at Mustang Island State Park or for a couple of bucks more, the
Good Sam Park right down the road from the state park. I believe they have
pancakes on Sat morn and a private boardwalk to the beach. Also free cable
with your spot.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'
73 Beetle
On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 3:18 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>wrote:
> 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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