added some 50/50 engine coolant and tranny fluid (1qt) and this morning...

[joeygazelle]

99 expo turned on and it was very difficult to turn the wheel and seemed like it was having electrical problems with the radio and dash lights. It stalled about 300 yards and lights were flickering. Not sure if i overflowed one of the two or something completed unrelated. Please help!

 

[boominXplorer]

See if your serpentine belt is still on.

 

[joeygazelle]

See if your serpentine belt is still on.

Well when it was on, yes the belt was spinning. Also that top to the right of the engine had some brown looking sludge in it filled to the top, what is that ?

 

[koda2000]

Well when it was on, yes the belt was spinning. Also that top to the right of the engine had some brown looking sludge in it filled to the top, what is that ?

Not sure what this means. Are you talking about the power steering fluid reservoir? It's white plastic with a black cover on it located on the right front of the engine. Where exactly did you add the transmission fluid and coolant too? Pretty hard for something that wasn't full to become full without some human intervention.

 

[joeygazelle]

Ok I managed to jump start it back up but now the belt is not spinning. So yeah you had it right the first time

 

[koda2000]

Ok I managed to jump start it back up but now the belt is not spinning. So yeah you had it right the first time

The engine can't be running if the belt isn't spinning (unless the belt is broken). If the engine is running and the belt doesn't spin it will quickly burn up.

 

[joeygazelle]

The engine can't be running if the belt isn't spinning (unless the belt is broken). If the engine is running and the belt doesn't spin it will quickly burn up.

I shut it off, what is your recommendation?

 

[lobo411]

Are you 100% sure the trans needed fluid? You should check the level when the engine has reached normal operating temperature, after having cycled back and forth through the gears a few times, and with the engine idling in park.

 

[koda2000]

I shut it off, what is your recommendation?

Your description of the issue leaves a lot to be desired. Is the belt broken or not?

 

[joeygazelle]

Are you 100% sure the trans needed fluid? You should check the level when the engine has reached normal operating temperature, after having cycled back and forth through the gears a few times, and with the engine idling in park.

I followed the idiling steps and checked it. It was below the 1st hole on the dip stick. So I only added 1 quart this was yesterday. I drove it about 3 blocks yesterday it all worked fine. Problems didn't occur till this morning.

 

[joeygazelle]

Your description of the issue leaves a lot to be desired. Is the belt broken or not?

Sorry I am not a truck aficionado. Well I had to leave the truck about a block away and return home. I will drive back now to check it. But the belt seemed to have slack on it or loose rather. Should be on tight enough like a rubber band per say?

 

[koda2000]

Sorry I am not a truck aficionado. Well I had to leave the truck about a block away and return home. I will drive back now to check it. But the belt seemed to have slack on it or loose rather. Should be on tight enough like a rubber band per say?

Yes it should be quite tight. If it's loose it will slip. It could be you have a bad belt tensioner or broken pulley. It's dangerous to drive it this way. If the belt gets wrapped up in something it can do a lot of damage. The belt not being tight explains why your power steering wasn't working and why you lights were flickering. Your water pump was also not working.

 

[joeygazelle]

Thanks to you guys for the replies. I went ahead and dropped it off at the mechanic. Any idea how much it will cost if it is the idler or tensioner?

 

[koda2000]

Thanks to you guys for the replies. I went ahead and dropped it off at the mechanic. Any idea how much it will cost if it is the idler or tensioner?

I don't know what your mechanic's hourly or flat rate is. An idler pulley costs around $18 and tensioner with pulley costs around $40. Mechanic's usually add on to what they pay for parts. You may also need a new serpentine belt (around $35-$40). Labor time shouldn't take too long. I'd guess they'll charge you for 1-2 hours .

 

[swshawaii]

Well when it was on, yes the belt was spinning. Also that top to the right of the engine had some brown looking sludge in it filled to the top, what is that ?

Hopefully your mechanic will go further and check ALL your fluids. Sounds like your vehicle NEEDS this done, among other things.