Stupid Belt Tensioner

[Iowa Hick]

Ok I am as big a fan of spring loaded belt tensioners as anybody, much handier than trying to pull the belt tight enough with a crow bar and then tightening the bolt, but today I was driving down interstate 80 when I noticed the little warning light come on telling me my battery wasn't charging, so I start to pull over and notice my power steering is gone too, so immediatly I think my fanbelt went, not a huge deal but inconvenient, I popped the hood and the plastic part of the pulley on the tensioner is busted up, the belt is ok, so I tried to limp in with it but without the water pump or fan it kept overheating so I would drive about a half mile, coast about a half mile with the engine off and sit there for ten or so minutes while the engine cooled off, I don't have a cell phone so this was about my only option

Finally made it to the next exit and found out the closest parts store that was open on a Sunday afternoon was back in Iowa City, where I started from about 20 miles away, I couldn't get ahold of anybody on the pay phone to come get me so I turned around and headed back to Iowa City, after about ten miles I made it to the next gas station and tried the pay phone again, this time I was able to get ahold of my dad and he came and got me and we got my X going again, but I pretty much blew my whole day because of it

Sorry, I just had to vent a little

 

[jimbo74]

glad it all worked out... so did you tow it home or fixed it on the side of the road?

 

[Iowa Hick]

I fixed it in a gas station parking lot, it took all of five minutes to fix once I had the parts and a socket wrench

 

[SmokeGrinder]

My spring loaded belt tensioner blew at 2:30am and it was 33 outside.... so i know how you feel buddy