Toyota Vs E39 PAS/Alternator Belt Issue

[Mario T PhD]

So, was coming home with the family in town at around 10mph and suddenly a little smoke appeared from the right hand side of the bonnet, the battery warning light came on, the power steering died and a flapping sound from the engine bay ensued.

We pulled over and as the wife was calling for recovery I opened the bonnet to notice a belt wasn't sitting properly on what looked like the alternator.

Searching for similar posts on here it looks like the PAS/Alternator belt has lost tension/failed.

After the car was unloaded I noticed a dirty coloured water on the trailer.

My first question is, has only the belt snapped and if so is this a cheap repair?

Or has this also done damage to the alternator, PAS and water pump?

The car has 93k on the clock and has already had a radiator replaced, valve rocker gasket replaced and oil pump gasket replaced.

My second question is, how should I make sure I pre-empt future failures of common faults - e.g. water pump replacement and thermostat?

I have two very small children and a nervous wife who wants to replace Werner (E39/530i SE - 2001) with a new Toyota

I'd rather keep Werner than get something a little less charismatic, so any helpor suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

g

[Fox-]

It sounds like the waterpump itself has gone - hence the liquid.

Best thing to do is go for a new water pump and new aux/aircon belts at the same time. The belts are a consumable part that its prudent to replace anyway. Might be worth checking a thermostat in at the same time as this isnt expensive.

This, coupled with your new radiator, should free you from woe for the near future.

[Mario T PhD]

Thanks Fox

So what do you think caused the belt to slip off/ break?

Would the water pump have seized causing the belt to run over a fixed pulley, eventually breaking it - hence the smoke?