Dodgy HP belt!

[mountainmanUK]

My plans for a few trips out 'n about this weekend in Monica have been postponed. Today, while doing my normal under-bonnet check (water, oil, green blood etc) I noticed that the HP pump drivebelt looks like its in need of a dentist REAL soon! Around 30% of the teeth are missing!!
Phoned my local GSF (only 3 miles away!) only to be told "Oh dear, I havn't got one of them in! I can get ya one for Monday afternoon!"
I told him to order me one and I'll have to get it fitted on Wednesday, as I'm off work from then onwards for a week.

I'm just hoping that the rotten belt lasts me till Wednesday, as I can't get to work without car!!

I might just get underneath her over weekend, to see what other 'nasties' lie in wait for me!!!

Dave

[DavidRutherford]

This is the vee belt between the camshaft ant the HP pump I assume? If so, I'm sure it will be fine:

A couple of years ago I was driving a 405 with the worst auxilliary drivebelt you have ever seen. It had great big chunks missing out of it, most of the poly-vee ribs had dissappeared, there were bits of cord poking out of it here there and everywhere, and it looked like it would fail the next time I started the car.

So I carried a spare with me, and the tools to change it as/when it failed.

Bloody thing lasted another 18'000 miles. I never did change it. Sold the car with it still on.

Surprisingly robust things, vee belts.

[mountainmanUK]

That IS good to hear, thanks David!

Yep, its the vee belt that's driven from the end of the camshaft and only drives the pump. (Opposite end to the timing belt)

Only £3-00 from GSF.

[BX Bandit]

Just get yer missus to wear some tasty tights and should the belt break then not only do you have a reserve belt 'in stock' so to speak but...er...well

[docchevron]

Yeah you should be ok, I've had somne very ropey belts on cars over the years, apart from a bit of noise I've never had one break.

Bandit, that reminds me of coming back to Bristol a few years back from Radstock in a bus. The aux belt broke and the air system was losing air rapidly, since I wanted to get home, I dapped into Miss Millies and asked the girl if I could "borrow" her tights...after a few strange glances from her, I explained, she gave me her "matron" tights, I wrapped it round the crank and compressor and viola, I got home on time!

(I felt obliged to buy some chips....)

[BX Bandit]

Good work with the chips mate...you're a sound bloke!!

[st gilles]

Yeah you should be ok, I've had somne very ropey belts on cars over the years, apart from a bit of noise I've never had one break.

Bandit, that reminds me of coming back to Bristol a few years back from Radstock in a bus. The aux belt broke and the air system was losing air rapidly, since I wanted to get home, I dapped into Miss Millies and asked the girl if I could "borrow" her tights...after a few strange glances from her, I explained, she gave me her "matron" tights, I wrapped it round the crank and compressor and viola, I got home on time!

(I felt obliged to buy some chips....)

'Viola'..... whats that, you made it into a large violin!....whats that got to do with drive belts.....lol.
Mike

[tom]

They both have to be tensioned.

[sleepy0905]

had one of these snap before and just went into a car accessory shop put the snapped belt on the counter and asked do you have a belt like this when i was asked what for i just told them it was a project so they wouldnt argue the belt they gave me I think was off a renault 5 so basically any belt will do as long as it is about the same length.

[mountainmanUK]

Update:

Got the ordered belt from GSF, for £3-25. Took it home, started to fit, found it was too bloody long (800mm). Couldn't be arsed taking it back, so I walked (yes...walked!) round to my local cheapo motor accessory shop. One quick look on a shelf round the back...no reference book....he gives me this 625mm Bosch belt and says " Give us 2 quid mate!"
Fitted PERFECTLY!!!

Further update:

Going to the kebab shop last night and the bloody Battery light came on. Quick look under bonnet confirmed that the f&*%ing Alternator belt had snapped and vanished!! GRRRR!
Looks like I'm off for another little WALK this morning!
(After I've borrowed a couple of quid from SWMBO's purse! )

cheers
Dave

[stuart_hedges]

It sounds like you've got a good motor shop within walking distance, mountainman. I've been lucky enough to live near a few of these gems!

If I were you I'd go there first in future, rather than spending out on postage from GSF...

[mountainmanUK]

If I were you I'd go there first in future, rather than spending out on postage from GSF..

Very true Stuart!
The shop itself is REALLY tiny, but crammed to the rafters with everything you could possibly think of, to do with cars of all descriptions. It's run by a pair of small Asian guys who both really know their stuff (and not just BMW styling kits either!).
If they don't have it in, they can usually order in pretty quickly too.
The only thing they seem to struggle with is smaller, dealer-only parts, such as the bloody heater Bowden cable clips that I'm still on the hunt for!
(Doc very kindly posted me one, but it would appear that the Royal Mail have 'mislaid' it, as usual!)

Update:
New alternator belt fitted smoothly. Monica is happy again!

Cheers
Dave

[paulwitchard]

Its worth checking out your local bearing supplier for V belts - most of them stock them in all sorts of lengths and profiles and usually for peanuts - even compared to the local accessory shop.
Well worth trying them for oil seals and obviously bearings as well.