HELP!!!! Big belt problem

DaveyDavey · 08 March 2008, 12:59:57

Just on the way back home on the M5, as I got into North Bristol I thought I heard a distinct whine from the engine bay. As I was driving home it got worse whenever I accelerated, leading me to assume some sort of belt problem.

When I got out the car there was a funny "hot" smell around. I popped the hood and had a look and lo and behold there was something very strange in front of my nose.

The belt on the front of the engine (no idea what it's called, but it's a long windy one) appears to have lost the outside 20% somehow. The remaining 80% of the belt is still on there but slips under load and I am a little dubious about driving it the 8 miles to the dealer on monday morning.

Now then, how serious a problem is this?

TheBoy · 08 March 2008, 13:08:10

Thats the aux belt, sometimes called Polly-V.

Presumably its rubbing, just need to look around and find what its rubbing on.

DaveyDavey · 08 March 2008, 13:13:51

I think that the outside piece that sheared itself off had been rubbing against something. My problem now is that this belt only has 80% of what should be there running round the pulleys.

Is this an easy thing to replace, there was a 3 month parts and labour warranty with the vehicle so I'm not too concerned. Although I have a couple of meetings round London way this week and need the car sorted by Tuesday evening at the latest.

TheBoy · 08 March 2008, 13:15:45

QuoteI think that the outside piece that sheared itself off had been rubbing against something. My problem now is that this belt only has 80% of what should be there running round the pulleys.

Is this an easy thing to replace, there was a 3 month parts and labour warranty with the vehicle so I'm not too concerned. Although I have a couple of meetings round London way this week and need the car sorted by Tuesday evening at the latest.

Changing belt is easy. Sorting out the problem as to why its rubbing is unknown, as we don't know what its rubbing on.

DaveyDavey · 08 March 2008, 13:24:38

Well that's good to know, thank you TB.

I'll see what the garage says on Monday.

perfferle · 08 March 2008, 13:48:31

Hey Davey,

Same thing happened to me about 4 weeks ago! Turned out that my belt tensioner pulley-bearing had siezed and the belt was de-laminating.

For your own comfort - Get a mate to start the engine while you (with bonnet open) look at all of the pulleys to see if they are all turning when engine is cranking/idling.

The belt tensioner pulley is top left looking at the engine standing in front of the car.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
P.

JasonH · 08 March 2008, 15:40:50

Changing the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?

Dave-C · 08 March 2008, 19:34:37

You'll probably find that the belt isn't covered on the waranty... they're only about a tenner... easy enough to do too.... scare over

rockhound · 08 March 2008, 19:48:39

Mine snapped last year and took a slice out of my air con pipe,,, Cost over £150 to fix,,, Tensioner had siezed and thrown the belt and had to drive home without power steering, Arms like arnie in the morning [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

rockhound · 08 March 2008, 19:49:48

QuoteChanging the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?

I think the water pump is turned by the timing belt and not the auxilary belt

Vmax · 08 March 2008, 19:53:08

QuoteJust on the way back home on the M5, as I got into North Bristol I thought I heard a distinct whine from the engine bay. As I was driving home it got worse whenever I accelerated, leading me to assume some sort of belt problem.

When I got out the car there was a funny "hot" smell around. I popped the hood and had a look and lo and behold there was something very strange in front of my nose.
Ah wonder if that is my problem too, I have a strong rubber smell at times
The belt on the front of the engine (no idea what it's called, but it's a long windy one) appears to have lost the outside 20% somehow. The remaining 80% of the belt is still on there but slips under load and I am a little dubious about driving it the 8 miles to the dealer on monday morning.

Now then, how serious a problem is this?

TheBoy · 08 March 2008, 20:50:23

Quote
QuoteChanging the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?

I think the water pump is turned by the timing belt and not the auxilary belt

6 cylinder Omegas have waterpump driven by aux belt

Mike Collins · 08 March 2008, 21:21:30

If it's a V6, coolant pump is driven by the auxiliary belt.

I don't think the engine lasts long without coolant circulating.

rockhound · 08 March 2008, 21:55:54

I stand corected

DaveyDavey · 09 March 2008, 15:48:00

QuoteChanging the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?

North Bristol in Bradley Stoke.

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HELP!!!! Big belt problem