Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: DaveyDavey on 08 March 2008, 12:59:57

Title: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: DaveyDavey on 08 March 2008, 12:59:57
Just on the way back home on the M5, as I got into North Bristol I thought I heard a distinct whine from the engine bay. As I was driving home it got worse whenever I accelerated, leading me to assume some sort of belt problem.

When I got out the car there was a funny "hot" smell around. I popped the hood and had a look and lo and behold there was something very strange in front of my nose.

The belt on the front of the engine (no idea what it's called, but it's a long windy one) appears to have lost the outside 20% somehow. The remaining 80% of the belt is still on there but slips under load and I am a little dubious about driving it the 8 miles to the dealer on monday morning.

Now then, how serious a problem is this?
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: TheBoy on 08 March 2008, 13:08:10
Thats the aux belt, sometimes called Polly-V.

Presumably its rubbing, just need to look around and find what its rubbing on.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: DaveyDavey on 08 March 2008, 13:13:51
I think that the outside piece that sheared itself off had been rubbing against something. My problem now is that this belt only has 80% of what should be there running round the pulleys.

Is this an easy thing to replace, there was a 3 month parts and labour warranty with the vehicle so I'm not too concerned. Although I have a couple of meetings round London way this week and need the car sorted by Tuesday evening at the latest.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: TheBoy on 08 March 2008, 13:15:45
Quote
I think that the outside piece that sheared itself off had been rubbing against something. My problem now is that this belt only has 80% of what should be there running round the pulleys.

Is this an easy thing to replace, there was a 3 month parts and labour warranty with the vehicle so I'm not too concerned. Although I have a couple of meetings round London way this week and need the car sorted by Tuesday evening at the latest.
Changing belt is easy.  Sorting out the problem as to why its rubbing is unknown, as we don't know what its rubbing on.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: DaveyDavey on 08 March 2008, 13:24:38
Well that's good to know, thank you TB.  :)

I'll see what the garage says on Monday.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: perfferle on 08 March 2008, 13:48:31
Hey Davey,

Same thing happened to me about 4 weeks ago! Turned out that my belt tensioner pulley-bearing had siezed and the belt was de-laminating.

For your own comfort - Get a mate to start the engine while you (with bonnet open) look at all of the pulleys to see if they are all turning when engine is cranking/idling.

The belt tensioner pulley is top left looking at the engine standing in front of the car.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
P.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: JasonH on 08 March 2008, 15:40:50
Changing the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: Dave-C on 08 March 2008, 19:34:37
You'll probably find that the belt isn't covered on the waranty... they're only about a tenner...  easy enough to do too....  scare over :o
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: rockhound on 08 March 2008, 19:48:39
Mine snapped last year and took a slice out of my air con pipe,,,  Cost over £150 to fix,,, Tensioner had siezed and thrown the belt and had to drive home without power steering,   Arms like arnie in the morning [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: rockhound on 08 March 2008, 19:49:48
Quote
Changing the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?

I think the water pump is turned by the timing belt and not the auxilary belt
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: Vmax on 08 March 2008, 19:53:08
Quote
Just on the way back home on the M5, as I got into North Bristol I thought I heard a distinct whine from the engine bay. As I was driving home it got worse whenever I accelerated, leading me to assume some sort of belt problem.

When I got out the car there was a funny "hot" smell around. I popped the hood and had a look and lo and behold there was something very strange in front of my nose.
Ah wonder if that is my problem too, I have a strong rubber smell at times   :y
The belt on the front of the engine (no idea what it's called, but it's a long windy one) appears to have lost the outside 20% somehow. The remaining 80% of the belt is still on there but slips under load and I am a little dubious about driving it the 8 miles to the dealer on monday morning.

Now then, how serious a problem is this?
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: TheBoy on 08 March 2008, 20:50:23
Quote
Quote
Changing the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?

I think the water pump is turned by the timing belt and not the auxilary belt
6 cylinder Omegas have waterpump driven by aux belt
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: Mike Collins on 08 March 2008, 21:21:30
If it's a V6, coolant pump is driven by the auxiliary belt.

I don't think the engine lasts long without coolant circulating.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: rockhound on 08 March 2008, 21:55:54
I stand corected
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: DaveyDavey on 09 March 2008, 15:48:00
Quote
Changing the belt is easy, but if it's not working it will not be turning your water pump and you could seriously damage the engine.

If it's turning then you're OK, mind you when they snap they can make a mess in the engine bay. Imagine a 2 metre long whip thrashing around.

Where in Bristol are you?

North Bristol in Bradley Stoke.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: DaveyDavey on 10 March 2008, 15:58:27
Update:

Yesterday afternoon I drove the car nice and carefully down to the dealers and parked it up round the corner. This morning I went down to the dealer and explained what had happened, my surprise at this happening after 6 days of ownership and trusting this will be sorted under warranty. And that I'd need the car back fixed for late Tuesday afternoon at the latest.

The dealer has just called me and the problem has been identified as starting with the tensioner pulley. Apparently the pastic coating around the pulley has deteriorated and subsequently affected the belt. This will be replaced tomorrow along with a brand new belt under warranty. Marvellous  :y

Thank you to those who assuaged my fears and especially to JasonH for volunteering to drive round and have a look at it for me - you are a true gent.  :)
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 March 2008, 17:47:39
Quote
Update:

Yesterday afternoon I drove the car nice and carefully down to the dealers and parked it up round the corner. This morning I went down to the dealer and explained what had happened, my surprise at this happening after 6 days of ownership and trusting this will be sorted under warranty. And that I'd need the car back fixed for late Tuesday afternoon at the latest.

The dealer has just called me and the problem has been identified as starting with the tensioner pulley. Apparently the pastic coating around the pulley has deteriorated and subsequently affected the belt. This will be replaced tomorrow along with a brand new belt under warranty. Marvellous  :y

Thank you to those who assuaged my fears and especially to JasonH for volunteering to drive round and have a look at it for me - you are a true gent.  :)

Yeh, I bet its melted!
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: perfferle on 11 March 2008, 08:20:49
Hi Guys,

See! - I told you to check the tensioner pulley :y

Regards,

P.
Title: Re: HELP!!!! Big belt problem
Post by: JasonH on 12 March 2008, 20:44:47
Excellent - glad it's sorted.

If you have any other issues you'd like an opinion on I'll help if I can.