- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- Messages
- 35,537
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- Age
- 59
- Website
- www.sat-elite.uk
- My Satellite Setup
- A little less analogue, and a lot more crap.
- My Location
- UK
the car I drive at present is a Mitsubishi Galant petrol 2litre inline four from 2000. Aircon as standard, there being two belts from the pulley on the crankshaft. Its done 80k miles in four years with no real problems.
Two nights ago the alternator belt gave up the ghost and self destructed. It had been reported as worn at the last dealer service, but the belt was not replaced at the time as there were none in stock.
The charging light came on the dashboard, and since I was on the motorway, it seemed preferable to travel on (using parking lights to save battery charge ) until the next exit, a few miles from home.
The car seemed to have no problem with doing this when on the motorway, and after I had confirmed it was simply the belt - stopping to check under the bonnet - I restarted the engine, and the oil light came on. I chose to walk home rather than risk the chance of damage, (the company issued recovery policy from EuropeAssist) is as much use as an ashtray on the motorbike.
Ive since ordered and fitted the alternator belt and everything runs fine, no warning lights on the dashboard, but is there any link with the lack of charging andthe oil light coming on ?. Does the belt also drive the oil or water pump ? or anything else that might bugger up an engine for fifteen miles of motorway driving ?
The drivers manual with the car confirms the car should be stopped immediately the light comes on , and a service agent called, but it does not confirm if the engine should also be turned off until the repair is carried out, suggesting running on for a few miles is not likely to do damage to any engine component.
Two nights ago the alternator belt gave up the ghost and self destructed. It had been reported as worn at the last dealer service, but the belt was not replaced at the time as there were none in stock.
The charging light came on the dashboard, and since I was on the motorway, it seemed preferable to travel on (using parking lights to save battery charge ) until the next exit, a few miles from home.
The car seemed to have no problem with doing this when on the motorway, and after I had confirmed it was simply the belt - stopping to check under the bonnet - I restarted the engine, and the oil light came on. I chose to walk home rather than risk the chance of damage, (the company issued recovery policy from EuropeAssist) is as much use as an ashtray on the motorbike.
Ive since ordered and fitted the alternator belt and everything runs fine, no warning lights on the dashboard, but is there any link with the lack of charging andthe oil light coming on ?. Does the belt also drive the oil or water pump ? or anything else that might bugger up an engine for fifteen miles of motorway driving ?
The drivers manual with the car confirms the car should be stopped immediately the light comes on , and a service agent called, but it does not confirm if the engine should also be turned off until the repair is carried out, suggesting running on for a few miles is not likely to do damage to any engine component.