Belt broke while driving... what kind of damage?

Monkey · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 31 City: Carlsbad, CA

The belt on my 97' Sunsetter broke off while driving. It was just shredded. I didn't notice it until I pulled the boat out of the water. I'm guessing I ran the engine for about 10 or 20 minutes with no belt.

I noticed that the belt drives a water pump (I think). I didn't see the temperature gauge go to an abnormal level. What type of damage should I be looking for as a result of driving around with this belt off?

-Monkey

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

If the temp didn't get too high probably nothing, just replace the belt. I'd check whatever the belt pieces hit as it flew apart, like the hoses, etc around there. On a friends boat a loose belt make a big notch in a water hose, but it didn't break through.

Belts usually drive power steering, alternator, water pump. So, you stopped charging your battery, stopped pumping water, and maybe lost power steering. The waterpump is the biggest issue, though your battery may be discharged but as long as it will start your boat I wouldn't worry, once you get the new belt on it'll charge back up.

Nick
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Expert Insurance

SupremeWake · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 322

If you ran for a while with your water pump not drawing water you may have damaged something. If that water pump isn't working you can over heat very quickly I think. I put mine back on backwards once after replacing the impeller and as I was checking it it reached near "red zone" temps within 10 minutes or so.

jedsterr · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 291 City: Star Idaho

B4Sunrise, Ditto. No dammage so far as I can tell

SupremeWake · Soul Rider Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 322

thats why I replace my impeller every year regardless of how it looks....and then I go and put the pump on upside down.... But yeah....there seems to be no damage...I was standing right there watching it and as soon as I saw the temp rise above normal I was there to shut it off...

Monkey · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 31 City: Carlsbad, CA

got my belt in the mail, put it on, ran compression test... everything's fine now.

Iman · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 116

You should be able to use a regular automobile belt to replace yours. If you look thru the shredded pieces, your belt probably has a model number. If you take that to the auto shop they can give you a replacement. Somehow my boat has an alarm that goes off when my belt brakes. I've done it 2-3 times now and it seems my boat will only go a few minutes before overheating if it's already warm. If the belt broke and the engine is cold you might can go 5-10 mins straight before overheating. But watch out, it'll get real hot real fast. A funny thing is I cant easily get my belt past my muffler, I finally figured out to use a car jack to push it outta the way just a little to allow the belt to slip between the muffler and my front engine pulley.

Buergday · Guest

I snapped a belt a few weeks ago too. I replaced it with an auto belt from Pep Boys. Everything's been fine since - now I carry a few spares on the boat.