Here it is:
I don't know yet if this is what I need, given the age/milage a new tension spring is probably not a bad idea!
Serpentine/Accessory belt failure on a very wet, dark MI road in the middle of nowhere...
- Thread starter Longtrail
- Start date
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- accessory belt serpentine
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I don't know yet if this is what I need, given the age/milage a new tension spring is probably not a bad idea!
itsaguything
Full Access Member
@Longtrail ,
Many here would disagree…. but I don’t pre-emptively replace any “component” of the vehicle unless it is explicitly called out in the maintenance schedule or, there has been reduced effectiveness…
Unless, you just want to overhaul the whole engine anyways.
For example, the water pump. If its operational now, why replace it??
Timing chains, sprockets and guides, if they are working well now, why replace them??
Generator (alternator).
Plugs, Brakes, the list goes on and on.
However, there are a few that ignore the maintenance schedule then, play musical parts.
The obvious - engine oil. Delaying on this leads to timing chain guide friction…
The often ignored - belts, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, (and your favorite and mine, transmission, diff fluid, power transfer unit fluid.)
So, I keep the maintenance schedule simple:
Oil and filter every 5k kms
Air filters and brake fluid every 25k
All other fluids and filters every 50k
Plugs, coolant hoses, belts, every 100k.
And other components, battery included, as needed.
(hear a whir or squeak, see a drip, smell a strange smell, feel something amiss; inspired)
Not suggesting that this is the only approach…. but it seems to be a successful approach for me.
Many here would disagree…. but I don’t pre-emptively replace any “component” of the vehicle unless it is explicitly called out in the maintenance schedule or, there has been reduced effectiveness…
Unless, you just want to overhaul the whole engine anyways.
For example, the water pump. If its operational now, why replace it??
Timing chains, sprockets and guides, if they are working well now, why replace them??
Generator (alternator).
Plugs, Brakes, the list goes on and on.
However, there are a few that ignore the maintenance schedule then, play musical parts.
The obvious - engine oil. Delaying on this leads to timing chain guide friction…
The often ignored - belts, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, (and your favorite and mine, transmission, diff fluid, power transfer unit fluid.)
So, I keep the maintenance schedule simple:
Oil and filter every 5k kms
Air filters and brake fluid every 25k
All other fluids and filters every 50k
Plugs, coolant hoses, belts, every 100k.
And other components, battery included, as needed.
(hear a whir or squeak, see a drip, smell a strange smell, feel something amiss; inspired)
Not suggesting that this is the only approach…. but it seems to be a successful approach for me.
Well, I would agree with the first part…
It isn't that hard to remove the engine cover and bend an ear to listen for unusual noises while the engine is running. A few times a year doing this and things "shouldn't" sneak up on you. A quick visual check of the belt spring and fall and you be golden.
itsaguything
Full Access Member
. handheld, 2 channel, transmitting radios like the Baofeng uhf/vhf w/ gps (8 W) are so affordable … with an optional long distance antennae.It's all relative I guess! We had cell service; I have a quality coat and waterproof pants packed; no footwear though! I also have blankets and towels!... Having kids was the hardest part.The definition of "middle of nowhere" is no cell service.
I'll replace parts if I have it open, I know it's a failure point and it's a PIT to get back to the component; otherwise I agree with what you're saying. Bear in mind, I don't know the full history so I would rather be cautious.
Timing chains are making slight noise so I know it has to be done sometime, if I'm doing the crossovers then why not go a little further and do the whole job? I really don't want to go in there twice.
Done so far:
- Oil (it's due again)
- Transmission fluid - just
- Front diff
- Rear diff
- Transfer Case
- Suspension system
- Fixed the radio
- Brakes
Not done (given I'm at 100K miles these are on my mind)
- belts
- coolant
- brake fluid
- power steering fluid
- Plugs
- coolant hoses
- Crossovers
- Other things TBD while I'm in there doing chains, crossover's etc. (parts that are not easy to get to)
Most of the "Not done" list (except the power steering fluid and brake fluid) make sense to do at the same time and until the breakdown was my plan.
And water and/or a means of filtering water.The definition of "middle of nowhere" is no cell service.
I did a little lunch time exploration, here's the belt (it was wrapped around the crank pulleys):
Which appears to have knocked out some temperature sensor just below the thermostat (this has the potential to leak coolant so need to watch this):
And the idler pulley that's supposed to be behind the viscous fan pulley is completely not secured and rattling around back there (like the shaft or something broke)! I'll see if I can get this out later on. This looks to be the root cause of the failure!
I'm also getting more convinced that there's been a slight leak, guessing the water pump based on evidence and location of the fluid.
Which appears to have knocked out some temperature sensor just below the thermostat (this has the potential to leak coolant so need to watch this):
And the idler pulley that's supposed to be behind the viscous fan pulley is completely not secured and rattling around back there (like the shaft or something broke)! I'll see if I can get this out later on. This looks to be the root cause of the failure!
I'm also getting more convinced that there's been a slight leak, guessing the water pump based on evidence and location of the fluid.
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