Alternator Drive Belt Snapped !

deere3350 · Unread post by **deere3350** » 15 Nov 2004, 23:52

Hi all,
The alternator drive belt on my 1.9td snapped on the way home from work tonight (Can’t be bad at 188,000 miles). I just kept going as I knew it flew clean off and wasn't wrapped around anything.
Now, I hope this isn’t a stupid question, but would I be risking further damage if I drove it to a garage 17 miles away tomorrow ?
Any opinions welcome !

Stuart McB · Unread post by **Stuart McB** » 16 Nov 2004, 00:10

You'll certainly run the battery down. Provided the belt ain't powering anything else you should be ok. Beware though if it stalls you may not be able to re-start it.

deere3350 · Unread post by **deere3350** » 16 Nov 2004, 00:25

Thanks for the reply SM.
The only other thing the belt drives is the power steering pump. I'm sure I can manage without that.
Stall an XUD ? No chance !!!

nick · Unread post by **nick** » 16 Nov 2004, 00:26

As long as its not a Xantia ?! (no brakes, pas or suspension if it is).

davethewheel · Unread post by **davethewheel** » 16 Nov 2004, 00:30

yep if its a xantia you will struggle, i once had to drive a bx with no power steering, brakes os suspension only had to go approx 3 miles but it was a nightmare.

np · Unread post by np » 16 Nov 2004, 00:47

I once had a brand new Rover 200 vi.Took it to Spain for a holiday.On the way back in France,the drive belt snapped doing 100mph,Scared the hell out of me.Anyway,phoned my rescue,but they couldn`t get a belt for it.Decieded to head for our overnite stop & get picked up in the morning.Drove for 80 miles,with nothing on at all to save battery.It stalled in traffic when the rad fans try`d to come on,2 miles from the campsite.
So,if its not a Xantia,you should be able to drive it there,as long as it doesn`t stall,or you use anything electrical.

beezer · Unread post by **beezer** » 16 Nov 2004, 02:22

If you drive in daylight the only thing you will be using up electrically will be indicators, brake lights and the stop solenoid, which is constantly energised, (unless you are fond of the horn)with a possibility of the fan if you are stuck in traffic so 17 miles should be ok.

deere3350 · Unread post by **deere3350** » 16 Nov 2004, 02:42

Thanks for all the replies.
I think I'll go for it. That'll save the hassle of arranging for the car to be picked up, and a 1.5 hour bus trip to work !

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 16 Nov 2004, 04:40

Give the battery a good charge over night

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 16 Nov 2004, 19:24

You should be able to do it- I ran my BX around for 3 days with a dead alternator, before I could get a new one in!!!
I put a starter pack in the boot just in case but didn't need to use it.

Unread post by **RichardW** » 16 Nov 2004, 20:23

To all those of you hard of hearing - LISTEN!
A Xantia with no aux belt will have NO BRAKES. Not just a heavy pedal - no foot brakes at all. The only way to stop it will be with the handbrake, which is not all that effective. If you do decide to drive it 17 miles, go very steadily, and don't get into an emergency braking situation - 'cos you won't! The police are likely to take a very dim view if they find you driving with no serviceable braking system.....
Oh, just read it - no where does it acutally say it's a Xantia...[:I]
Sorry for shouting[:o)]
Comments stand if anybody else wants to try it...!

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 16 Nov 2004, 20:31

And the post refers to the alternator belt, which doesn't drive the hydraulic pump on a Xantia, anyway, if it was a Xantia......[:I][:I]

Unread post by **RichardW** » 16 Nov 2004, 20:45

>which doesn't drive the hydraulic pump on a Xantia,
Yes it does...one belt off the crank pulley drives the alternator, hyd pump and A/C compressor if fitted. Mare to change!

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 16 Nov 2004, 20:50

I stand corrected, then!!!
I thought that an XUD in a Xantia had the same layout as one in a BX.

beezer · Unread post by **beezer** » 16 Nov 2004, 20:50

All that I can say is that deere3350 drove it back from work last night and did not mention problems with the brakes.