Saxo Auxiliary Drive Belt came off.

- T
- Toby Newman
  
  Contact options for registered users
posted
16 years ago

Wed, Apr 9, 2008 5:55 PM

My Saxo's aux drive belt started whining this morning and, just 20 miles after the first noise, came off completely!

As I understand it the belt drives the alternator which charges the battery.

I didn't use the stereo, lights, wipers or fans on the way home so, hopefully, the engine will start tomorrow and get me to work (18 miles) where I can charge the battery with a charger.

Will it be okay to drive the car for a 18 mile journey without that belt? I'm rather baffled how it's generating sparks for the spark plugs, but it got me home ok, so I must be missing something in my understanding.

I'll get the belt replaced tomorrow, naturally, but I'll need to get to work first.

- M
- Marc Gerges
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
16 years ago

Wed, Apr 9, 2008 7:27 PM

Your car's got a battery. That's what gives energy to generate sparks.

If it starts, it should get you there, as long as you refrain from using wipers, heater, radio etc. The spark plugs need very high voltage, but not really a lot of power.

cu .\\arc

- T
- Toby Newman
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
16 years ago

Thu, Apr 10, 2008 10:00 PM

Duh, of course, thanks. Late night hurried posting :) I got to work fine, charged the battery, bought a new belt for £3 from PartCo and had the whole thing fitted in less than 20 minutes.

I wonder what a garage would have charged me: £50 for an hour's labour?

- M
- malc
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
16 years ago

Fri, Apr 11, 2008 8:38 PM

A main dealer certainly. A local specialist probably not. One chap I used to go to would just charge for the actual time, if it took him 15 minutes then that's what you paid for, sometimes not even that.