datsuyama Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Any one have any experience with these? I've seen them before - you can cut to size and clamp it together to keep you going for a bit... I ask because: Last Friday, I'm out hunting around Greenwater, WA. I am in the sticks, by myself (well, had a dog with me but other than someone to complain to, he wasn't much help). As I'm driving towards home, the alternator (and brake) lights come on. I think - well, I've been through a ton of water, maybe it's wet and that's interfering with it or something (yes, I know dumb thought but...) A little while later, I see the temp gauge is headed towards maxing out. Geez. I pull over to see what's up and you guessed it - busted fan belt that drives the alternator and water pump/fan. And, of course, I'm not in town yet but at least I'm close. Problem is, I don't have any tools with me so I can't just buy the normal belt and slap it in there in the parking lot of Autozone or something. I limp into Bonnie Lake and hit up Autozone, looking for one of those emergency belts I've seen in the past. They don't have one. Neither does O'Rileys. So, I think about how I heard pantyhose can work in a pinch. I buy a few at Rite Aid. They don't work for crap. Let's say the engine is idling at 800 RPMs, the pantyhose is doing about 9 RPMs. I went to Walmart and looked for that damn emergency belt. No luck. I bought a bike tire inner tube and carefully cut a strap of that and tied it in there - worked for about 3 minutes. So, finally, what works? DUCT TAPE. That's right, duct tape. I taped the busted fan belt where it broke and it worked - lasted for about 5 miles or so. And, it broke again. And again, and again. I kept this routine up until I got home but about 3 miles from the house, the belt busted again (in a new place even - so now I had two individual pieces of the belt) and it knocked the A/C belt off the pulley. I cut that sucker out and limped home - stopping several times along the way as the engine got too hot. It was an adventure and I will always carry duct tape from now on. So, after the long, drawn out story, anyone ever use one of those emergency fan belts? A friend told me he used Rescue Tape once for an emergency fan belt and said it worked like a champ.... I was thinking about throwing one of these things in an emergency kit in my truck along with some normal belts and tools for the next time. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsuyama Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Here are some pics of those belts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I've seen but never used one, nor have I known anyone who as (at least not to my knowledge.) But I can tell you that what I do is keep a full set of new belts in my truck. They are not that hard to change, it takes a minimal amount of tools and does not take to long so I find that worth it. If you change your belts at the first sign and not when it is a "must" then you can throw the old ones in the back as temporary backups as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsuyama Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 I've seen but never used one, nor have I known anyone who as (at least not to my knowledge.) But I can tell you that what I do is keep a full set of new belts in my truck. They are not that hard to change, it takes a minimal amount of tools and does not take to long so I find that worth it. If you change your belts at the first sign and not when it is a "must" then you can throw the old ones in the back as temporary backups as well. Yeah, good points. I was thinking about making a tool kit with cheaper stuff from Harbor Freight to toss in there with some belts. The cheap tools won't be missed as much if someone rips them off! That's probably a better idea that the hokey emergency belt anyhow! I think I caused the premature failure of this belt from tensioning it too tightly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inyourface1650 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Autozone will typically led you tools. why didnt you just buy a normal belt there and change it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92Path_68CJ Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I used to keep a small (like 1/2-3/4 inch deep max) tool box under the seat in my last rig. Had some misc tools. Pliers, a few common sockets, a couple screwdrivers and wrenches, basically for the scenario you described. I never had to use them, but that's the idea right? Live and learn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsuyama Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Autozone will typically led you tools. why didnt you just buy a normal belt there and change it? No kidding? I told them my dilemma and they didn't offer up the loaner tools! I sure would have taken them up on that deal! They said they probably had the belt I needed but then I told them I didn't have any tools to do the repair - that's when she said to try O'Rileys! Bummer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 If you change your belts at the first sign and not when it is a "must" then you can throw the old ones in the back as temporary backups as well. This, and buy some el cheepo tool kit in a case for $40 and leave that in the car. I've had 2 ripped off, and I just grumble and get another. In the sticks, alone with no tools is a bad idea! Sounds like you handled it well other than that though... B 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karmann Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Good to hear you made it through, this is the reason why I keep my old belt, and the tools to change said belt in the rear cargo floor at all times. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverPath Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Heck yea, cant count how many times my $25 big lots Chinese set has gotten me off the side of a road! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsuyama Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 So, it's settled.... a set of real fan belts and more importantly, a cheap set of tools. Oh, and of course DUCT TAPE! Thanks everyone, you guys rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Crappy worthless tools used once surpass their value all the time! Some spare parts may be a headache to carry day to day (strapping a spare transmission to the roof might hurt mpg) but simple things like belts take up little to no room and can be tucked in a corner! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92Path_68CJ Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 (edited) Crappy worthless tools used once surpass their value all the time! Some spare parts may be a headache to carry day to day (strapping a spare transmission to the roof might hurt mpg) but simple things like belts take up little to no room and can be tucked in a corner! I beg to differ. No one said cheap tools had to be crappy or worthless. I just pieced stuff together from extra tools and yard sales. Probably cost no more than 10$ and it's all Craftsman. Edited November 13, 2013 by 92Path_68CJ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 My emergency/junkyard stuff is salvaged from junk cars at work. It's a collaboration of everything from stuff that could just say "wrench" on it to snap-on. I got some generic no-name stuff that's more trustworthy and given better life than name brand stuff (I have no problem with craftsman but their ratchets have cost my knuckles more skin and blood than cheapo ones) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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