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Bummed out Friday

bolophonic

bolophonic

Supporting Member
Dec 10, 2009
9,731
18,460
Durham, NC
www.brendanlove.com
#1
I was getting ready to take my truck in for an inspection and oil change and a new tire and all that jazz. One of my belts had started chirping off and on for a while, but since I rarely drive it, it was just a nuisance that I was going to get around to when I did everything else all at once.

So I made it five miles down the road and the fan belt snapped and I wound up having to limp it to a closer, unknown mechanic with the radiator cap exploding right as I pulled in. I have owned this truck for ~14 years and this is the first emergency. I'm so annoyed right now.
 
#2
bolophonic said:
I was getting ready to take my truck in for an inspection and oil change and a new tire and all that jazz. One of my belts had started chirping off and on for a while, but since I rarely drive it, it was just a nuisance that I was going to get around to when I did everything else all at once.

So I made it five miles down the road and the fan belt snapped and I wound up having to limp it to a closer, unknown mechanic with the radiator cap exploding right as I pulled in. I have owned this truck for ~14 years and this is the first emergency. I'm so annoyed right now.
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Well that sucks! :mad:
Hope you get back on the road soon!:thumbsup:
 
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#10
My Jeep did something similar last summer, the water pump locked up solid. Couldn't even turn it with a big pipe wrench. Thankfully I could drive about a mile or two at a time to get it the 9 miles home. First thing I had done when I bought it was swap in a full gauge cluster, so I could monitor the temps and everything else. I won't own a vehicle without full gauges.

It's probably fine, also keep an eye on your coolant level and make sure you're not losing any.
 
#12
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#15
Pilgrim said:
As long as you got it shut down right away, you should have no problems. A little excess heat is manageable. It's the people who drive more miles with the overheat light on who get pay for expensive work.
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I was stuck on a country road with no shoulders, all blind curves and nowhere to pull over. I had to drive for three or four miles like that just to pull into somewhere safe. I went from "I'll go get a new fan belt" to "I hope I don't die" in the blink of an eye.
 
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#16
bolophonic said:
I was stuck on a country road with no shoulders, all blind curves and nowhere to pull over. I had to drive for three or four miles like that just to pull into somewhere safe. I went from "I'll go get a new fan belt" to "I hope I don't die" in the blink of an eye.
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Better to live another day and do some repairs if that's the situation. Still, it was probably only a few minutes. Chances are that you're OK.
 
#17
If it was an old iron straight 6 you are most likely OK. I had a 73 Dart with a slant 6 and one day drove it better than ten miles with a blown bottom radiator hose. It was just starting to squeal when I pulled into my yard. I shut it down and went to the parts house for a new set of hoses and belts. I was positive I'd at least done it some serious harm if not killed it outright, but after replacing all the hoses, belts, and antifreeze, it cranked right up and ran for another 10 years with no real problems before it went on to meet it's maker.

OTHO, I had a 70 GTO with a 400 and it blew a head gasket within just a few minutes of overheating, but that was all that happened. It was caused by a stuck thermostat so it got replaced when I did he head gaskets and all was right with the world.
 
#18
Hope everything's OK, but - this is why they recommend you at least check - if not replace - belts and hoses every 5 years or so. I just found out the hard way that it applies to motorcycles, too. Replacing all the oil system hoses on my '06 Sportster cost me... Well, let's just say I didn't get much change back from a $1,000 bill...:bawl:
 

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