Hey all,

Just started my IX up after 5 days out of town and didn't think of what the cold would do to the belt. Soon had smoke pouring from under the hood. Took me about a minute to realize the serpentine belt had snapped.

Basically, she's sitting at home, so it's safe, but I need to get her to the garage somehow. Would it be safe for me to drive for around 10 miles or is that a seriously bad idea? I figure I won't have power steering, a working alternator and no cooling for the engine (it is cold though, think if I don't boost, the engine would only just about be warm by the time I got there)

Anything I'm missing or any major issues someone think I could end up having without the belt working? If so, I'll just get a proper twoing service to do it.

Thanks a lot for the advice!

 

Don't do it. The previous overheating issue should show that the safest bet is to not drive it. Especially since overheating can cause a warped head, blown headgasket, etc before total engine failure.

Can you do it yourself? Get a new tensioner and belt. It's not that hard!

If you drive it, coasting a lot will help cool her down. Stop half way and let cool (get lunch).

 

Dont be silly man get the car towed or have someone bring you to get a new serp belt and put it on at home. Way Easy Job

 

Just go buy a new belt. You may not make it that far and end up causing bigger problems. You will be running only on battery power and may drain it before making it to your garage. there easy to replace just get one and install it where it sits.

 

very easy to fit a new belt
you could drive the car ie just to move it on to the tow truck etc make sure all the old belt is taking out , but as said the water pump is run off that belt and could do alot of damage

 

A special trick to fitting a new one in.
http://www.joe250.com/cars/evo8/belt...ltremoval.html

 

DONT. please get that poor evo towed =(

 

If it started pouring smoke just from sitting there at idle, imagine how bad it would get driving it...

+1

 

you would be driving it on battery power alone, I doubt you will make it too far. You would have no power steering as well. I dont understand why folks are saying you will overheat, the water pump is controlled by the timing belt not serp belt. Your vehicle's computer controlled components will NOT like to have to be running on battery power alone though. If you have to move it 10 or 20 ft its not an issue, but I wouldnt actually go on a public road like that, totally unsafe. How far is the closest parts store or dealer? swapping in a new serp belt is fairly easy.

 

I was just reading over your post again and if you saw smoke there might be another problem. Check all the idler pulleys and P/S pump and alt that they turn free with the belt off. If they don't spin free this is why the belt broke and you saw smoke. Also, check that the belt tensioner has proper tension on it.

On a side not the water pump is NOT controlled by the timing belt.

 

The serpentine belt snapped from the cold and you have smoke pouring out from under the hood? You might want to check your freeze plugs, especially the one on the water pump.

 

Thanks guys, guess I'll go with towing. Can't really change the belt where it sits as I live downtown and my parking space is barely big enough for the car itself :-(

Pretty sure the smoke was from friction between the pulleys and the belt as when it came off it got sort of stuck and there was a distinct smell of burning rubber. Thanks for the warning though, I'll make sure I check all the pulleys.

 

it will seriously take around 10 min to install. pull the car out of the parking spot. jack it up real quick, get under there and place the belt. dont forget a jack stand!