After rubber necking all the bonnaroo rv's in the field off of I24 I noticed my alt & brake warning lights were on. While pulling into the rest stop on top of monteagle the temp gauge spiked. Poped the hood.....shredded water pump belt. Alt and water pump both spin and are not seized. What's the chances of the water pump being toast or intermittently seizing? Trying to make it to the nearest auto parts store. Thanks.

 

Sorry for the double post. Trying to work off my iPhone and got an error message when trying to send.

 

If the pulleys spin free and the water pump does not have any play it, could be just a bad belt. also check pulley alignment and for any loose bolts.

 

That is one thing that I always have is that belt.

trying to drive without one plan on doing at least a headgasket soon unless your real lucky.

 

Turn the heater on full blast if you're trying to limp along with no belt. Stop every time the engine starts to heat up too much.

 

buy 2 belts to keep a spare. i also always keep a big and small crescent wrench in my truck for those "just in case" scenarios.

 

if you can replace the belt you should be fine. do not dump cold water in the engine you will crack the block. if the coolant is empty let it sit with the fan running (as suggested above) if you didnt drive it long with the coolant temp gauge spiked i doubt you damaged anything.

 

I got it going after about an hour to cool down. While waiting I took the ac belt off and put it on the water pump and alt. Ran fine for the rest of my 300 mile trip. Just didn't have ac. All the belts are replaced now with extras. Even though they were only 6 months old. Thanks for all the help.

 

So the ac belt worked as a temporary replacement? Good info to have if you're in a bind.

 

Yes. The ac belt will fit the water and alt pulleys. I compared the length of the two when I got home and replaced all the belts. Their not the same length but very close. There's enough adjustment on the alt bracket to make it work.

 

i would of used a shoe lace in a last ditch attempt if i didnt have any spares.

 

Haha been there done that! Works in a bind