Bad news...

B.Martin · November 05, 2011, 09:29:11 PM

So it looks as if the drive belt for the water pump snapped and the at overheated and spilt water out everywhere. Soon as the buzzer came on I promptly pulled over and found out that the belt had snapped. So tell me what\'s the next step now please, I assume I need to fit a new belt and check for damage to the radiator? - let\'s asume for the sake of my mental health that the engine it self is fine

Brett · November 05, 2011, 09:34:55 PM

Was it boiling when you stopped?

B.Martin · November 05, 2011, 09:37:17 PM

Yes unfortunately, was on the motorway.

Brett · November 05, 2011, 09:38:12 PM

Hmmm... will probably be ok.... Get the belt replaced, then get an electric fan - they are a must in the hotter countries

B.Martin · November 05, 2011, 09:48:39 PM

Okay sure, it was on the list anyway when funds allow. Anyone know the halfords part number and is it a simple job or do I need help from someone mechanical minded?

Brett · November 05, 2011, 09:51:37 PM

It\'s simple enough... not sure on the part number though?

I used a fan from a scrapyard vovlo, a thermostat and a relay from a scrapped peugeot! :Giggle

B.Martin · November 05, 2011, 09:56:13 PM

Well I\'ll stick with the stock fan through the winter, then next year I\'ll upgrade the radiator as well and get a whole new cooling set up. That is if this radiator has survived...

Brett · November 05, 2011, 09:57:25 PM

The rad should be fine?

Brett · November 05, 2011, 10:03:25 PM

BTW - FC\'s like to eat belts... always carry a spare for each kind, and the tools to change them at the roadside

B.Martin · November 05, 2011, 10:06:24 PM

Oh okay, well it\'s good to know I didn\'t realise. Guess i found out the hard way lol, the rad should be fine but I\'m just unsure where the water has come from as the rad cap is still present and it looks like the rad hoses have stayed on as well. Although I could be wrong it was dark, will take a good look tomorrow. Appreciate the help Brett mate

Brett · November 05, 2011, 10:10:07 PM

No worries- I\'m sure it will be fine.

Once you\'ve got the belt on, start it up and let it run until it\'s upto temperature... keep an eye out for white smoke or a hunting idle.

m1tch · November 05, 2011, 10:10:14 PM

Check for cracking to the brittle plastic end caps or indeed that neck on the top of the water pump I pointed out before you changed the hoses

B.Martin · November 05, 2011, 10:11:44 PM

Will do all that\'s been suggested, if anyone does happen to have a part number or a link to what I need would be appreciative as halfords doesn\'t exist out here.

Brett · November 05, 2011, 10:14:06 PM

Speak to Clive -he will sort you out

TiddlesRX7 · November 06, 2011, 09:53:31 AM

Dude that sucks. Like Brett says though. Get a new belt fitted, buy at least 2 of them (your gonna run a dual pulley at some point anyway!). Start her up with the filler cap off and let her run up to temp. Top up the water/antifreeze as necessary and go for a run out somewhere quiet so you don\'t get stuck in traffic. After ten mins of driving have a quick check of the water level. If its low top it up again and do another run and check again until its full.

Ade