Serp belt just popped off!

[richy759]

After a spirited take-off my serp belt popped off with a big bang. Engine temps immediately sky rocketed and I managed to get into someones drive (by this time temps were 100). When I lifted the bonnet there was a fair amount of steam. I quickly put the belt back to get out of the way and limped home (was only about 2 miles away). When I got some there was again steam (not sure if this was just excess water being heated up).

I can image the system purged some water to reduce preasure when the temps went up, but should there be so much water in the engine bay in an instance like this?
Its all a bit hot to start looking into it more at the moment but it doesn't look good. Wonder if the incident has burst a pipe somewhere.
Has anyone had anything similar?
has anyone else had their belt just come off like this, or is it a sign my tensioners on the way out?

Rich

[coetzeeh]

I had the same problem years ago.

Check the belt alignment to all the pulleys - in my case (serp 500) the bearing on the idler pulley had worked itself towards the front of the car by about 10mm. This caused the belt to jump off.

I removed the pulley (standing in front of the car facing engine, the pulley in question is top right), removed the bearing, added some locktite/similar and pressed it back into the casing.

Job done and no problem since. Hope this helps.

[GreenV8S]

It's very unusual for the serpentine belts to come off and would make me suspect either a faulty tensioner or worn bearing in one of the pulleys.

[Gsw500]

I had a Serp belt destroy itself when on way home from Virginia Waters last year.

Luckily I always carry a spare so popped it on and hunky dorey..

Didn't know whether the belt had perished over time, it must get bloody hot sat between the exhaust and engine... few cracks on the belt but nothing major.

If you carry a spare belt remember to draw a little diagram of the belt set up on the card sheath it comes in. I have AC and PS and the belt goes all over the place..

[Gsw500]

I had a Serp belt destroy itself when on way home from Virginia Waters last year.

Luckily I always carry a spare so popped it on and hunky dorey..

Didn't know whether the belt had perished over time, it must get bloody hot sat between the exhaust and engine... few cracks on the belt but nothing major.

If you carry a spare belt remember to draw a little diagram of the belt set up on the card sheath it comes in. I have AC and PS and the belt goes all over the place..

[Gsw500]

Why are my entries echoeing.. ?

[richy759]

Thanks for the replies guys

It did take me a minute to think about how the belt went on, just remembered its in a sort of V shape.
I do carry a spair but didn't need it as the belt just came off, there is a nice black mark on the swirl pot now where the belt has wacked against it!

I guess I'll check the allignment and maybe run it and have a look to see if the belt is wobbling for any reason. The tensioner sure had some fight in it when I put the belt back on so I think thats ok.

Is it normal to get quiet a lot of water purged when the engine overheats?

Thanks again,
Rich

[richy759]

turns out my crank bolt has sheared (I found the head on the tray at the front).
Apparently the mechanism may have to be re-balanced by TVR power, ahh crap.

[Gsw500]

Thats bad news Rich...

I've heard of this happening before.

Hope its not too heavy on the wallet.

Gsw500

[richy759]

cheers,
apparently best case is - take out old bolt (I say this as if thats going to be easy), put in new bolt.
Fingers crossed
Rich