Urgent/Sad - Broke in Riverside

fjefman-SMB

Advanced Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2017
Posts
68
Anybody in Riverside CA have some experience changing engine belts? Mine just popped and I’m on the side of 215 waiting for a tow….not sure I’m going to be able to find a shop who can do it quickly.

404 431 4676 is my number if anybody has any recommendations.

Jeff
 
Pretty easy to do yourself if it’s a 5.4 with serpentine belt
 
Grab an Uber to an auto parts store, pick yourself up a new belt (if needed) and a 1/2” breaker bar to crank the belt tensioner and slip a new belt on, not too hard, there should be a diagram on routing under hood. Might need to get the air cleaner box out of the way first
 
Do you have the belt? Try to get markings or proper replacement size and autozone or oreilly will likely have it. Always keep a spare on hand. I believe Oreilly has a loaner tool to help move the tensioner if needed.
 
Super easy. Did it the first time on a Oreilly parking lot when my alternator went down.
Watch the video and it‘ll be a 5-20min job (depending on how often the belt slides off where you out it [emoji3]

As other said: 1/2“ ratchet and you‘re good. Take the air filter done before.
 
And yeah for me, no one locally has a belt. Need to order for tomorrow delivery.

And Uber won’t pick me up on the side of the highway.

And tow companies around here suck…been sitting on 215 for 4hrs now.

Good day. :)
 
Wow -- VERY SORRY ! - I'm just north of ATL and wish I could help - but sorry not much help from here !? Best of luck ! Keep us informed of outcome --
 
This is going to sound like a jerk thing to say at the moment, but it's true. The only thing easier than changing a serpentine belt on any modern engine is ordering/buying a spare and stowing it somewhere in the van.

Usually one of the first things I do on a new-to-me (used) vehicle is buy a new belt even if the old one is fine, change it and store the old one in the vehicle somewhere as a spare.

I know this sounds like armchair quarterbacking now but hopefully it will keep someone off the side of the road later.
 
First off, I appreciate all the quick responses.

After 5hrs and still no tow truck I decided to put as much water in the radiator as possible and drive a few miles up the road to the closest gas station.

Belt is on order so I’m looking at how to replace it. The video above helped but I everything looks easy when an engine is on a stand. Do I have to loop the best over the fan blades first and then maneuver it over the pullieys?

Oh, and I, never knew how hard it is to drive without power steering.
 
Tonight will be in the van at a Phillips 76 gas station. Hopefully this unplanned adventure ends tomorrow AM and I can co to use with my planned adventure.
 
86Scotty, we all need tough love at some point so thanks for dishing it out when appropriate.
 
Why were you low on coolant? Did a bad water pump seize and cause the belt to break? Might be more than a belt job if you're also losing coolant (they seem when the bushings wear out).

It can also boil over like that if the antifreeze-to-water ratio is too dilute.
 
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Why were you low on coolant? Did a bad water pump seize and cause the belt to break? Might be more than a belt job if you're also losing coolant (they seem when the bushings wear out).


Well, I have been driving for the past 5+ hrs from Vegas the vehicle was already taxed quite a bit staying cool.

When everything went to shite I was accelerating up a hill in 100+ temps with the AC on high. Didn’t take but a minute for the gauge to shoot to super hot, and by the time I got over the 5 lanes and pulled onto the shoulder she spilled her proverbial coolant guts all over the ground.

I hope the belt is indeed delivered at 8:30 and that is the only fix needed.
 
Ok. Mostly makes sense. Usually the cap will relieve pressure slow enough it won't suddenly boil, but if its the original cap if probably ruptured internally.. Definitely plan on replacing the cap too.
 
Don‘t be afraid! Changing the belt is really easy, in case that‘s the problem.

First: give the intake a bump with your hand to knock it out of it‘s locking position.
IMG_2421.jpg

Then rotate it up ~90degrees and remove it.

From the top you have access to put a 1/2“ ratchet into the tensioner. The main challenge here is you might need to push it around the fan once the tip is t the right place. I used a ~20“ ratchet.

On the front, hidden by the unopened hood you should have a sticker similar to this one.
IMG_2422.jpg

Choose your engine, take some pictures.

Once the tensioner is in you push it aside and the belt gets loose. Take it off the first wheel and release the ratchet.

Then take it out.

Take the new belt and fiddle it around (this is where the pics come in ;-)).
You might need to do it from the top or below.

Then check that the tensioner is somewhat in the middle of all pullies/ wheels, turn the ratchet again and put it on the pully. Release the ratchet and it should be in place.

Tuen the engine on shortly, turn it off and check the position.
All good? Then proceed your way.
If not, ratchet into tensioner and realign position.

The only thing that‘s easier in the video is that you get habds everywhere.
But the general procedure is really as easy as in the video.
 
I have two spare belts in my van stashed under my gaucho bench, along with a spare fuel filter, fender-mounted starter relay, and a few other things. I have this fantasy of being the roadside savior for a broken down fellow E-vanner [emoji23]

I’m surprised you had to order a belt. They are very common, at least for the 5.4l. You didn’t say what engine you have, though.
 
... I have this fantasy of being the roadside savior for a broken down fellow E-vanner [emoji23]

Brain, In an effort to grant you the satisfaction, I'd gladly provide you a heads up on our future departures so you can follow...I have as good a chance of any in needing your assistance! :d3:
 

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