Dashboard full of red lights...help !

[heliboytim]

Hi all, and thankyou for reading this

Last Sat was driving my 911 Carerra 4 2000 and suddenly half the panel lit up, I guessed it was an alternator failure but didnt quite grasp the fact that the fan belt could have gone...and hence the engine cooling. Drove for 4 more miles when oil temp now in red............(oh sh**) I'm thinking. Pulled over and steam coming from the engine. Had a look and it was radiator fluid (not oil fortunately). The belt had come off but not broken and I could see one of the tightening pulleys loose in the engine compartment. Car recoverd home.

I have a couple of questions. please ?

1. Could I have damaged the engine ?
2. Do I need to take to a Porsche specialist of should I get a local garage to fit a new fan belt.
3. My alternator was whining about 4000 miles ago then stopped, could the alternator have seized and thrown the belt off ?

Once again thanks so much for your time and comments

Cheers

Tim

[runfaster]

Dude... You are not driving a Honda. You need to start paying attention to what your car is telling you, if it is making strange noises and you are not sure what they are, then either stop driving your car or take it to a mechanic.

Call the dealership up and tell them that you are having problems with your car and need to talk to a technician. Explain you situation and ask him what you need to do, most of the time they are really cool and will give you the straight dope.

If you don't want to deal with the dealership then find a good German car specialist in your area that will work on your car. If you are not sure, post a question here about finding a good mechanic in your local area.

Chances are you did not do any damage to your engine.

Later,
Craig

[heliboytim]

Craig,

Thankyou for your answer and comments, good idea re porsche specialist on the forum,

Cheers again