[DML] My fan made it all the way Through the day, but my fan belt didn't

[Doug Menkhaus <dmenkhaus@xxxxxxxx>]

Thank Steve for the help with diagnosing my blower motor cutout issue, the replacement Circuit Breaker I got from DMCMW earlier as part of there "Relay upgrade kit" was really beneficial and I was so glad it included the Circuit Breaker.

During the parade, my car ran great, even in the 100 degree temps!  I wasn't running the A/C since we had the doors open, and the temp of the car stayed at the first line the whole time.  I was a little nervous about the radiator fans running so much, as when I was checking the blower motor circuit breaker for proper operation, I noticed the wires for the radiator fans circuit breaker were "warm".  I have the original fans, so, I definitely need the low-draw fan upgrade.

As a side benefit, my fuel gauge seems to be working a little bit better.  It never read above 1/4 of a tank, so I never knew how much gas I had (almost ran out the morning of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway event). Well, I filled it up, and I think the sloshing around during the drive to the parade loosened it up.  It now reads 1/2 :-). Yeah!!

So after the parade, we went to Cliffs, and had a great time.

During the 45 minute drive home, the car ran good, and the air cooled the car adequately in the 100 degree temps.  I ran the fan on speed 3' as I knew with the air on and the fans running I was taxing the original electrical system, so I didn't push it all the way. The car ran just below the 220 mark.

2 miles from my house, the battery light came on, and the voltage was down somewhere around the 8 volt mark.  I turned off the blower motor and the A/C, thinking I probably threw a belt.  I though surely I can make it on the battery the 2 miles home.  Then I looked at the temp gauge, oh yeah, same fan belt for the water pump.  The gauge quickly hit the top mark.  I think I drove a total of 500 feet from when I saw the battery light and when I stopped the engine.

As soon as I did, the radiator cap started spewing out with good force.  I left a trail from the overflow hose about 100 foot long.  The 30 year old belt was shredded.

AAA towed me home, and I got replacement belts today at NAPA (had them in stock!) and will put them on this weekend.

So, reading above, did I do any damage to the engine?  It ran up to full on the gauge, but the entire thing was 500 feet long at 35 mph.  It barfed out probably a gallon, and was definitely hot, but it was all very short.  So, a short overheat.

I think there is a nice write up somewhere ( maybe on Hervey's site or somewhere on DMCTALK?) that details how to reload and purge the radiator.  I should get the auto leader too.

Hoping all is well, thanks for you help,

Doogie



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