Waiting for AAA

[Hugh R]

From the side of the road on my iPhone:

Targa threw the fan belt 3 miles from home. Have the tools and belt but I'm in nice clothes. I pay for AAA so I'll wait.

Wife drove it yesterday to Ventura about 50 mile each way.

[techweenie]

Wife's fault.

[s_morrison57]

Huge, that sucks, at least you have the AAA, might as well get some use outta it. Is the wait gonna make you late?
Finn

[DRACO A5OG]

At least it did not break when wife was driving her

[porschenut]

Let us know how long the AAA wait is. I'm about to buy coverage and I'm really curious about response times.

[Hugh R]

20 minutes, and he flat bedded it into my garage.

[RD911T]

Just curious, new owner waiting on delivery, how did you know it threw a fan belt? Alternator light? Temp rising? Did you hear the difference?

Tom

[Hugh R]

1st smelled rubber, no one around me so it must be me. Looked down saw the alt. light on. Pulled over within two seconds. Dirty job on the side of the street, especially with the A/C fan belt in the way which has to come out first. Much better to do at home.

[Targa Me]

three miles from home? you could have driven it home, just don't let the temp get too hot.
I broke a belt about 10 miles from home and i drove it. the temp never reached the second hash mark.

[dshepp806]

Maybe a good set of gloves and that problem could have been remedied quicktime (should clothing have been an issue>?). I know this is a bit anal, but I keep a readied wratchet and wratcheting wrenchs READY for that moment,.as well as alt socket.........as well as the gloves, should I be tasked with the job,..ESPECIALLY at the side of the road!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder how much time elapsed between when the light ACTUALLY came on and the onset of "smell" (then discovering that the light was on)?

I keep eyes on my gauges when driving the car...this is something that terrifies me about having the Wife drive the car....and that would be not paying attention to the gauges and making a late discovery($$$$$$$$$$),...luckily,..over the years, she seldom drives it (if ever),..and I simply don't let anyone drive it.....

anywaze,....AAA,...for a belt breakage????????.......I think this may be a first?

Best!

Doyle

[Hugh R]

Done, I'll drive it a few miles and check the belt tightness, and get a replacement belt. I had only driven about a mile from my last stop. I pay for AAA, why not use it? Besides, I would have had to cut the A/C belt off since I didn't have one wrench for loosening it. Who wants to work on the side of the road with no shade when I can be in my garage?

Targa Me, good to know. I've never broken a belt before and I had no idea how far you could drive.

[Head416]

Originally Posted by Targa Me

three miles from home? you could have driven it home, just don't let the temp get too hot.
I broke a belt about 10 miles from home and i drove it. the temp never reached the second hash mark.

I've always been cautioned that with no air flow the cylinder temp can reach dangerous levels before the oil is heated enough to indicate the problem. I have no way to prove or disprove that. I know people install cylinder head temp sensors, so there must be a good reason not to rely solely on oil temp. I would err on the side of caution, I've never had the stomach for Russian Roulette.

[vash]

man..i am a wuss. i wouldnt drive it home with a missing belt.

but i would have dove in wearing any wristwatch and any clothing. I'm enthusiastic, not bright.

[dshepp806]

I wouldn't take the chance, either.

Best,

Doyle

[Targa Me]

Originally Posted by Head416

I've always been cautioned that with no air flow the cylinder temp can reach dangerous levels before the oil is heated enough to indicate the problem. I have no way to prove or disprove that. I know people install cylinder head temp sensors, so there must be a good reason not to rely solely on oil temp. I would err on the side of caution, I've never had the stomach for Russian Roulette.

When my belt broke I never considered head temp vs oil temp. I guess I wasn't really thinking that day. Everything turned out ok, but maybe that was just blind luck...yikes.

[Noah930]

It's also about 85 degrees today.

Glad it didn't happen to Mrs. R yesterday.

[Hugh R]

95 here. Yeah, she would not have been happy, plus she had a very busy day yesterday. I need to speak to her about what the red alternator light coming on means.

I took the day off to run some errands, so no biggie. Its Miller time!

A few years ago I signed up for AAA premium towing IIRC its 100 miles and not much more money.

IIRC the standard tow is like 7 miles.

[Dublinoh]

It's not just heat, also the battery will be losing charge, wonder how long you can drive before the spark gets too weak?

[NeedSpace]

I drove my 190sl for about 12 miles without fan belt. had to stop 3 times to let engine cool. if i knew AAA would take 20 mins, I would have called too. This was the day i purchased her, last 12 miles of a 100 mile trip.

[kidrock]

I could change a belt without even getting my nails dirty....