Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:44:32 -0500
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no
Rich, if you are 50 miles N of Corpus on I-37, you are within a few
miles of Corpus Christi State Park (exit at Mathis, IIRC). There is
also a rest area between you and Corpus, and one CAN stay overnight in
Texas rest areas. Some even have WIFI, and it couldn't be any less
pleasant than a McDonalds parking lot.
Good luck, David
On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 3:18 PM, Richard Koerner 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 wrote:
>
> From: W Monk Subject: Re: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt
> To: "Richard Koerner" 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 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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