Broken Alternator Belt

[Matsuda03]

On the way back from the beach today I noticed my battery light was on. Ten miles later and steam was shooting up from under the hood. The coolant overflow tank cap had shot off and the coolant was boiling and spewing everywhere. Upon closer inspection, I noticed my alternator belt was completely gone- all that was left was a string.

I had the car towed to the nearest (25 miles!) shop.

My questions-

Does anyone know what a reasonable charge for this service is? I definitely need both serpentine belts.

Should I have any other concerns? The car is an '03 with 75,000 miles.

Thanks!

 

[erick pina]

maybe time for a t-belt too.

 

[RABID_MP5]

Is it done yet? Pray you didn't warp the head with the overheating. The belt change should run under $100 or so. I wish cars had full instrumentation with gauges, but also an "idiot buzzer" (with off switch) to get your attention immediately on something like this alternator/overheating case.

 

[P-Funk!]

[shaking head ruefully]
You had plenty of warning. She TOLD you to pull over! It should not have been such a suprise.

I do hope also you didn't warp the head.

 

[slavrenz]

PFUNK:
Well, you must not have listened to your mother when she said, "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say (type) anything at all."

Did she also tell you about assuming? A close read of the original post will explain I pulled over just after the light came on. Generally, a battery light indicates alternator failure, so I turned off all power consumers (lights, stereo, cruise) and slowed down until I CAME TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY.

I usually don't dignify negative nastiness with a response, but I think the further information may help a fellow driver who encounters the same problem.

Post with respect.

Your post actually indicates that you drove for another 10 miles after your alternator light came on. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you couldn't find a place to pull over for 10+ miles?

Like others said, the alternator belt is cheap, but a warped head will cost you $$$.

 

[rustychops41]

Most modern car gauges are "dampened." This means that they tend to stay at a certain point even during what used to result in different readings, back in The Good Old Days before idiot lights, scroll-through menus, BMW's "i-drive" and such. It's my understanding that manufacturers did this partially to curb guys coming into the service department with stories of "My buddie's new 6000 SUX oil pressure shows 2/32nds of an inch higher on the gauge than in MY new 6000 SUX, so I want a new motor under warranty." Or something like that. Anyway, the Protege's temp gauge probably stays right there, just under the half-way point throughout a certain range, or tolerance, then when it finally exceeds the preset range, boom. Up it goes. This could explain the lack of warning, at least to a small degree.

 

[flash75]

Most gauges do move in increments, the next step up from normal should not be high enough to cause damage. If I let my P5 sit and idle long enough for the fans to switch on the gauge will move above the normal position before the fans come on.

Clifton

 

[carter1551]

if you are even slightly proficient in working on your car you can replace the belt yourself for free. It is fairly simple.