Check Fan belts condition before long drive.

[chanapli]

We two families [four adults and three children below 7 years] had a bad experience on my Bolero on Last thursday night. Started from Bangalore to cochin around 5:00PM.

Once got past e-city Hosur road traffic I was driving aggressively till I noticed the battery symbol in dash started glowing, temperature gauge is showing full!!. This is was somewhere 20 kms before Krishnagiri. I stopped [ power assisted brake was already became hard. I had some trouble stopping the the massive Bolero with full load from 100 plus speed], opened the bonnet saw the coolant tank fuming. My friend noticed there was also a broken fan belt hanging.

It was already getting dark and females started worrying, decided to give some cooling time, filled up the coolant tank with drinking water, drove for 5 kms in 5th gear whenever possible with just park lights on [ knew the battery will not charge] to a place where there are humans. Thought we will manage with a "rope technology", purchased a good rope, used the rope instead of belt [ engine was still hot!], still fan not rotating. Enquired about any workshop nearby. Luckily a highway patrol stopped, said there is a good workshop [Maanikkan automobiles] just after the Krishnagiri toll which is 15kms away. The cop told not to worry, drive slow he will escort. [ I thought he will demand money, especially after my poor tamil. But they did not!.Infact they escorted in their jeep for another five kms] . Cops then waved hand said bye, told us if any problem contact emergency number.

We managed to reach the workshop, got the belt replaced [ belt was purchased in between]. He had to work for another hour because the broken belt was inside other five belts. Finally by 10:00PM the vehicle was repaired. reached Cochin by 6:00AM.

Suggestion: If possible carry spare belts. In my case if it had been any other vehicle ( apart from Maruthi's and my very own Bolero), believe me I would not had got the correct size belt.

[Sush]

Glad to know that the Police men behaved in such a friendly manner.

I too have to go for a long drive next weekend and will make sure to check the engine belts in my santro.

[GTO]

Before I opened this thread, I knew it had to be a Mahindra.....I learnt this the hard way with my diesel engine!!

Mahindra ought to inform owners on delivery to carry along extra fan belts, air-con compressor belts and radiator hoses.

[esteem_lover]

and power steering oil & coolant. LOL

[2fast4u]

and dont forget the tool kit and some diy to fix basic stuff like belts, points etc

[hvkumar]

Firstly, change the belt strictly at recommended intervals (60,000 kms or so), even though the belt may not show any signs of wear. Garages have this tendency to tell owners that there is no need to change belts, but please insist - a broken belt can cause lot of damage.

I always carry the discarded belt (which is normally in good condition if you change at recommended intervals) so that it can be used in case the belt fails. It is always easy to get a mechanic who can change a belt but not so easy to get a new belt, especilaly when you are on teh highway.

[2fast4u]

Originally Posted by Speedometer

If we stick to regular service intervals ,i dont think we need to worry about any part failing

a car is "almost" like a woman you never know what can happen.
only saving grace the car wont complain.

[jango]

Yeah true changing the fan belts at regular intervals is a gud idea and a gud practise..and i am sure after the belt snapped you would have had a very bad time thinking abt the distance u need to travel to reach cochin !!..i have gone tru this once before !!

[danlalan]

well something i dont understand is that..the guys at ford told me my belt would be due for change anytime now...but i am far from crossing 30,000 kms...and its a 00' ikon..

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by danlalan

well something i dont understand is that..the guys at ford told me my belt would be due for change anytime now...but i am far from crossing 30,000 kms...and its a 00' ikon..

I think 7 years is too long a time for a rubber belt, you MUST change it regardless of how many kilometres you have run the car. My thumb rule is that I change rubber parts (like belts) at least once every 2.5-3 years.

[kgc_cool]

I had a similar experience with my dad's old Maruti 800. We concluded that the only reason for our suffering was due to my dad's friendly neighbourhood garage insisting on not replacing parts till they fell off!

After that experience (we were stuck about 30 KM away frmo Hyd), my dad is now a regular at a nearby "authorized" service station!

[rankoz350]

Bravo coppers mann!!!

[sreenivass]

Originally Posted by chanapli

.....
He had to work for another hour because the broken belt was inside other five belts. Finally by 10:00PM the vehicle was repaired. reached Cochin by 6:00AM.

Suggestion: If possible carry spare belts. In my case if it had been any other vehicle ( apart from Maruthi's and my very own Bolero), believe me I would not had got the correct size belt.

Is it suggested to drive the vehicle with a broken belt ? Would it not get in to other parts and possibly cause more damage ?

[chanapli]

Originally Posted by sreenivass

Is it suggested to drive the vehicle with a broken belt ? Would it not get in to other parts and possibly cause more damage ?

Well, I did not had any other option, my friend.

we stooped at regular intervals, filled up the coolent tank with water. After reparing, filled up the tank with new one littre coolent + water.