Need advice on overheat

[sman83]

I was on my way to work this morning 12 mile drive 40 degree weather, when the lower idler pulley broke and the serpentine belt came off. I drove it for about 1 mile until I was able to pull off the road.

I was driving from a cold start for about 7 minutes doing 65mph when the idler broke the check gauge light came on about 2 minutes later.

When I stopped and had a look I saw some coolant on the top passenger side, but I did a once over and didnt see any glaring leaks or anything else leaking after stopping. There was no smoke or any glaring issues that I could tell. Im at work now and wont be able to have a look until after.

Fixing the pulley and putting the belt on is a non-issue but what should I be looking for/ doing for the overheat? What kind of damage could this cause? Keep in mind I was driving on a cold start for about 7 min in 40 degree weather.

Any advice would be great, thanks in advance!

 

[Dono]

What motor?
If its the 4.0 ohv you have cracked your heads. No guess work about it.
It doesn't matter that it was cold out. The water pump wasn't circulating any coolant.

 

[sman83]

Its a 5.0 about 185,x.. miles

 

[Dono]

Thx, I'm sure some guys with lots of experience on the 5.0 motor will chime in. I wouldn't be much help.

 

[sman83]

I replaced the lower idler pulley and put the serpentine belt back on, didnt see any further leaks and no smoke out of the exhaust. The whine is gone the mileage has increased. I would say I got lucky

 

[Dono]

Thats great news.
Im really impressed by just how tough the v8's are.