android
Well-Known Member
I know I will probably eventually need to get a mechanic to check it out, but here's my story:
'99 Dodge Dakota - About 115k on it
Has had a small oil leak for 2-3 years
Driving the other day I get a terrible SCREECH, nothing, SCREECH, SNAP, POOF, power steering lost. So I pull over, engine is still running, I think the power steering is out. I drive about 1 mile back home and get it into the driveway without any 'Check Engine' or other alarm lights coming on.
Open hood, serpentine belt had snapped. Upon closer inspection, it was WAY weathered. My bad for not checking it. Now, I didn't have the intuition to check the engine temp as I was driving home but never got an 'Overheat' light or anything either, but the coolant was definitely bubbling when I popped the hood, not surprising. Check engine oil, VERY low. Again, my bad, but of course I was going to change the oil like tomorrow, so I wasn't concerned although I should be checking it more often due to the leak.
So, I go get a new belt, get it installed without much problem according to the routing diagram under the hood. Fill up oil. Had to jump it from the wife's car to get it started, it had a little trouble getting going, but it did get running again and it almost snapped the new belt in half again (got it replaced via warranty today) and some smoke was coming out of I THINK the air intake area... Didn't run it very long as the belt looked suspect...
So, got a buddy who knows cars good coming over tonight to take a look at it, but just thought I'd toss out the thread to see if anyone might have any ideas if I really fudged something up or if it sounds salvageable??
Thanks...
'99 Dodge Dakota - About 115k on it
Has had a small oil leak for 2-3 years
Driving the other day I get a terrible SCREECH, nothing, SCREECH, SNAP, POOF, power steering lost. So I pull over, engine is still running, I think the power steering is out. I drive about 1 mile back home and get it into the driveway without any 'Check Engine' or other alarm lights coming on.
Open hood, serpentine belt had snapped. Upon closer inspection, it was WAY weathered. My bad for not checking it. Now, I didn't have the intuition to check the engine temp as I was driving home but never got an 'Overheat' light or anything either, but the coolant was definitely bubbling when I popped the hood, not surprising. Check engine oil, VERY low. Again, my bad, but of course I was going to change the oil like tomorrow, so I wasn't concerned although I should be checking it more often due to the leak.
So, I go get a new belt, get it installed without much problem according to the routing diagram under the hood. Fill up oil. Had to jump it from the wife's car to get it started, it had a little trouble getting going, but it did get running again and it almost snapped the new belt in half again (got it replaced via warranty today) and some smoke was coming out of I THINK the air intake area... Didn't run it very long as the belt looked suspect...
So, got a buddy who knows cars good coming over tonight to take a look at it, but just thought I'd toss out the thread to see if anyone might have any ideas if I really fudged something up or if it sounds salvageable??
Thanks...