That's not gone well... (edited)

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 07/10/2016 at 16:09 • Filed to: Ahhhhhhh crap

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So, my smart’s serpentine belt has ripped itself to shreds. The belt’s down to like 25% of its original size and is damaged throughout. I doubt the car will be able to get any further than somewhere to get it fixed. IF it could even move that far. *Sigh*

Is there like, anything I can do in the meantime? I have a drug test for the new job tomorrow, but that car isn’t going anywhere. Here’s one of the INNER ribs. This belt runs the water pump and alternator.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 16:17

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As long as it only runs the alternator and nothing more important and isnt in a place where it could damage other stuff you can make it a few miles even if it snaps completely. Enough to get to a garage.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 16:22

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Read a/c as accessory, if it’s actually just for the air con compressor you could just remove it and have a sweaty driving experience until it can be fixed haha.

Cé hé sin > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 16:29

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Can’t you just drive without it? Don’t know what kind of climate you live in but air conditioning isn’t usually an essential feature. If the belt drives only the a/c and not say the water pump you can continue without it indefintely.

XJDano > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 16:32

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If it's just the air conditioning belt you will be hot, wear extra deodorant.

Mercedes Streeter > Cé hé sin 07/10/2016 at 16:36

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I just checked the technical docs for the car...the belt runs the alternator and the water pump. Crap.

Cé hé sin > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 16:40

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Yes, that does put a different complexion on it. The ignition will run down tha battery remarkably quickly (yes, I discovered this) and without a water pump you’re not going far.

PS9 > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 16:48

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Time travel and steal the Impala from yourself?

Mercedes Streeter > Cé hé sin 07/10/2016 at 16:58

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Oh yeah, in my old Kia the teensy engine kept itself alive with all of the ambient air around the engine...my smart would not be that lucky at all.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 17:04

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Put it back on and idle your way to either somewhere that sells them or someone that can install it for you. shouldn’t be too difficult/expensive to get it fixed. If you can do it without lifting the car I’d be tempted to fix it in the parking lot if I bought it. I wouldn’t try to run without it, you could do far more damage to the car if it overheats due to the lack of a water pump. Like needing a new engine type damage. If its impossible to get it fixed in time, rental car to get to the drug test.

JGrabowMSt > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 17:11

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Parts store run early am? You could swap that belt yourself no problem.

Ive done worse in a parking lot late at night.

Mercedes Streeter > JGrabowMSt 07/10/2016 at 17:13

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Parts store run it is! I don’t at all have the tools to get it done though (I never need to take off my wheels since the car doesn’t have a spare) so I might just find a super local shop.

JGrabowMSt > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 17:16

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Good luck with it. Maybe uber it or taxi to and fromthe test and wrestle with the car after?

My car has one belt to rule them all, so you’ve inspired me to get a spare belt to keep in the trunk. You know, just in case.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 17:40

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Wow I literally just had the same thing happen to me in the 7-series. Except I had to replace both the Main belt and the Power steering belt because collateral. I just left the A/C belt off.

Good luck!

brianbrannon > Mercedes Streeter 07/10/2016 at 19:27

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Why emphasize serpentine? Looks like a ribbed v-belt to me

Mercedes Streeter > brianbrannon 07/10/2016 at 20:07

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At first, I said it was the A/C belt. I emphasized it after I went under the engine and found it wasn’t the A/C belt but a belt that’s more important lol