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

["Doug Menkhaus" <dmenkhaus@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Marc.  Yeah, I had a mental note to replace the Fan Belts the day we
got it running, but unfortunately I didn't get around to it.  I can't help
help but wonder if the extreme running conditions (idling along in an hour
long parade in 100 degree heat then running it on the highway for 45
minutes) didn't help accelerate the demise of the belt.  Sure it's a 30 year
old belt, of course it's gonna break.  I should've replaced it.

 

I've already looked into getting the hose replacement kit, and will very
soon.  I want to replace all the rubber and give it a good flushing, but
definitely want to do that when I have access to a lift.  Will do the fans
at the same time.  For now, to get it mobile again, I'll get the belts on
and get it properly refilled.  I think the pressurized coolant tester /
water pump bleed is the way I want to go with it.  If I do it that way I
don't have to mess with the radiator/heater hose right?

 

Thanks,

 

Doogie

 

From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Marc Levy
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 8:49 PM
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [DML] My fan made it all the way Through the day, but my fan
belt didn't

 

  

Does not sound too bad, but the only way to know for sure is to replace the
belt and fill it up.  Keep an eye on cross contamination of fluids, as well
as excessive pressure in the coolant system when the engine is running.

The concern I have with your story is "30 year old belts".  If the belts are
original, then the radiator probably is too.  Be careful with the hoses on
the plastic radiator tank (the small hose at the top on the passenger side
is where you bleed the radiator).  Other than that, best thing to do is put
some pressure in the system (with a coolant tester) and bleed from the top
of the water pump.

If you plan on driving this car, and still have all original parts, this may
be a good time to do a full cooling system/water pump/valley of death
service on the car..  Assuming it also has not been done, 30 yr old water
pump seals and hoses will get you stuck again.

--- On Thu, 7/5/12, Doug Menkhaus <dmenkhaus@xxxxxxxx
<mailto:dmenkhaus%40fuse.net> > wrote:

From: Doug Menkhaus <dmenkhaus@xxxxxxxx <mailto:dmenkhaus%40fuse.net> >
Subject: [DML] My fan made it all the way Through the day, but my fan belt
didn't
To: "dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> "
<dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmcnews%40yahoogroups.com> >
Date: Thursday, July 5, 2012, 7:49 PM

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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