I live six miles from my job and my mechanic is a half a block away from me. Tonight, my serpentine belt literally disintegrated so now I know I have no alternator or power steering and the water pump. All I know is I have a fully charged truck battery and I will be driving home in daylight so there will be little power drawn besides the times I use the signal lights. Just want to know if 6 miles is too far and the engine will over heat or the battery will die before I get to my destination.

I know I should call a tow but rates are insane and I have no money whatsoever. Did anyone here experience a similar risk? I remember driving with no alternator once but at least the belt was intact. I know this sounds like a stupid question but it's really the only option I have left. Can anyone offer their views? Six miles on the highway takes me about 10 minutes to cover.

 

well, I guess it's your call. If the car is dead cold, you MIGHT get away with it. I'd keep it slow and keep the temp gauge eyeballed at all times. Be prepared to make a quick pull over and I wouldn't run it until it got hot all the way. Keep in mind, the heat will stay because you don't have any water circulating.

 

You think it will be safer if I stayed in the side streets in case I have to pull over? I figured the stop and go will cause the engine to work harder and make it heat up faster. It should be 50 degrees by the time I get off work think the cold air will help at all?

 

50 degrees is a plus for sure. I'd stick to the side streets. Lower speed = less heat. Plus, if you had to pull over, it's easier. Years ago I had a fan clutch let go on a 71 Camaro and it put the fan THROUGH the radiator. I lived 29 miles away, so I pulled over, filled it up, took the radiator cap off and limped home slowly. I realize I still had water circulating, but it was pissing it all away. I think you will be ok for 6 miles on the side streets going slower that highway speeds. Just my opinion.

 

Actually it's gonna be 62 and rainy. You think the moisture will cool the engine down some while I limp home? Will the battery hold?

 

well, it just might help cool it. The battery might not make it though if you are running lights, wipers, defrost, etc. That's something to consider.

 

I'm not gonna run lights....and it's only showers so the air will be misty so i'm not gonna use my wipers. The most I'm gonna see from the battery is to start the car and use the turn signals.

 

in that case, I'd give it a go and get her home.

 

Good luck too. I know what it's like to go through this kind of stuff.

 

Thanks, it's funny too I just had the trunk motor replaced, the hood struts done and my headlights fixed and a bunch of other stuff...one thing's fixed another one breaks....hopefully after this there won't be anything else serious I have to worry about lol.

 

yeah, these things will humble you quick! Just got to love 'em and wrench 'em back into shape.

 

Oh, I loved these things since I was 6! LOL...

 

You will also use power for your brake lights and spark. Use the lights and wipers - your ride will overheat long before you kill the battery. Try to keep revs low. Watch your temp gauge and when you get 2/3 to the red stop the motor. If you wait an hour or two turn the key to see how hot she is and if below half continue. If you have a decent battery you should be able to do this 2 to 5 times, more depending on size/condition of your battery. Good Luck!

 

I hope I don't have to wait an hour to cool down lol I have my second job 3 hours after I get off this one! Maybe opening the hood will cool things down a bit quicker? lol....

As for the battery it's a Duralast Gold Truck battery. It's WAY bigger than the OEM battery that came with the car standard.

 

So let me get this straight. You're thinking of jeopardizing your engine because you do not have a serpentine belt? Go to the store, get yourself a new belt. Bring the new belt and a 1/2" ratchet for leverage on the tensioner. Route the belt the way it needs to be and use your left hand to pull back the tensioner as you put the belt under the pulley. Problem solved. I don't see a need to risk your engine or to pay somebody else to put a belt on.

 

Your battery will make it easy, but it will overheat in 6 miles without the water pump. If you have to pay to have the belt installed, the mechanic should be able to pay you a house call. It's not worth risking the engine. Unless it's down hill most of the way and you can coast.

 

Well my other option is the shop across the street from my job. I was thinking it would be better to have the guy who worked on my car before do the job but it seems like the risk is too great. 6 miles at 7am on a Monday morning? I guess I'll have to take my chances with this shop across the street.

I would do the serpentine belt myself but my hours are insane this week as I found the diagram on here. I'm not looking to be able to pick the car up until later this week anyway.

 

I pay $45.00 a month for basic car insurance that covers roadside assistance and a tow of up to 10 miles. Last time I changed out my serpentine belt I kept the old one just for this reason. (and a diagram of the routing).

 

What's your insurance provider? I have progressive and I pay $97 a month and offer no roadside assistance options. Wish I could afford AAA....

 

a serpentine belt take literally 30 seconds to put on....

 

Car is parked at the job and they're really strict about people doing any work on their cars here....guests can't even change their tire out on property.

Don't want to be the one to be making excuses, but it is a pretty tight predicament. Just wish the darn thing decided to break on my driveway now that would be a different story.

 

Roll it on to the street and put the belt on there.

 

TRUE! I can drive it to the bank across the street and put it on there!

 

pm sent

 

battery will make it easy-i once drove a celebrity 250
miles with dead alternator and still had enough power
to start once home Sometimes,with some cooling
systems,they will thermosyphon and cool ok without
waterpump others will get hot right away-blew a belt on
a chevy pickup once,'82 350,and it heated right up-
made it home,3 miles,wasn't boiling over but was up
pretty good on the gauge.
When you buy a new serpentine belt,get two-when the
first one gets worn,keep it in the car as spare

 

I always carry a spare belt in my trunk, dates back to my days with the V-belts. the tool for doing a serpentine belt costs like $25.00 at Sears. Or you can use a 1/2" ratchet.

AAA costs $98 for the whole year, offers two free tows of up to 100 miles per year. Invaluable for guys with cars like us.