I was taking my daughter to school as normal this morning when I came to a junction and heard a noise from the engine, which got worse as I revved the engine. I pulled over and noticed the ribbed rubber belt that runs round the engine/alternator etc was slightly frayed and it was hitting a pipe which I think is to do with the powered steering fluid. The belt also appears to have moved on the pulleys a bit. Needing a fix as fast as I could I managed to get the frayed end and pull it so it (eventually) came off taking one of the steel structural wires with it. Checking carefully I could not see anything else hitting or loose so I got my daughter to school and made my way to work - a touch slower than normal.
A local garage can swap the belt for just under £70 inc parts, labour and VAT which is about what I expected it to cost, but cannot do it until Monday.
I never paid attention to the belt when I got the car other than to notice it was there. It may have slipped since I got it, or it may have been like this for months and pure chance has caused it to start to frey on the edge. I really have no idea.
I have taken a couple of pics of the belt and how it is sitting on the pulleys. My question is do I risk driving the car for a couple of days or not?
What do you guys think?
Max
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