Thought she was gonna

ggsumo

ggsumo

Well-known user
Feb 14, 2009
1,224
191
Luton Airport
Was about 5 miles from home had just reset the ECu so was toeing her a bit - looked down at the temp gauge and it was in the red :cry::cry: - pulled off at next junction and shut off quick. Steam coming from under the bonnet - wacked the bonnet up fearing the worst and assumed head gasket must have blown (like you do) . Phoned the AA and left her to cool. Once gauge was back to halfway - though s.. of bust lets see if she starts and she did. So checked oil - no water in it. So took the engine cover off to check water pump and found the tensioner had thrown the belt, tensioner wasnt seizer but looked bent and was running roughly, waterpump was turning nice and smooth.

AA turned checked the lot over (temp in pipes, pressure and gasket sniffer) and all AOK. THe only thing was we broke the screw getting the tensioner out and have had to nut and bolt the new one through the mounting hole (luckily i got one of ebay last week because mine was squeaking when cold). Will have to drill the bolt out when i get time :devilish:

AA man said lucky i watch my temp gauge - talk about relieved, wonder how many more lives she has :D:D
 
Close call definitely. And a great reminder that keeping an eye on your gauges - even just scanning them from time to time - can save your engine*.

Did the AA bloke actually change the tensioner and refit the belt at the roadside?


*Or possibly your life. Try stalling out through overheating on the outside lane of the M1, with a Merc Sprinter up your jacksie.
 
Mako said:
Close call definitely. And a great reminder that keeping an eye on your gauges - even just scanning them from time to time - can save your engine*.

Did the AA bloke actually change the tensioner and refit the belt at the roadside?


*Or possibly your life. Try stalling out through overheating on the outside lane of the M1, with a Merc Sprinter up your jacksie.
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AA bloke tried to change tensioner at the roadside but the bolt sheared (it was rusted through). So we did a bodge using the hole where the anti rotation pin sits with a nut and bolt, he was apologetic but to be honest it would have gone when i got round to changing the tensioner next weekend anyway.
 
ggsumo said:
AA bloke tried to change tensioner at the roadside but the bolt sheared (it was rusted through). So we did a bodge using the hole where the anti rotation pin sits with a nut and bolt, he was apologetic but to be honest it would have gone when i got round to changing the tensioner next weekend anyway.
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Still a great effort from him at the roadside. Respect due.

I get what you mean though. If a bolt's going to let go, it usually doesn't matter who's at the end of the spanner. I've had the same thing with a water pump standoff bolt. Drilling out your engine block is a little hairy. It's even worse when a tap cracks in the hole and you've got to drill that.
 
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