This happened a while ago, I am currently out of the country for a few months. Right before I left, I heard a slapping sound from the engine bay, and saw that my belt was starting to shred. Like a dumbass, I tried to drive it home, as I was only a couple of miles away. I know, don't worry, I paid for it. The temp gauge spiked almost straight up after less than a minute and I pulled over. The engine wasn't smoking or steaming or anything like that. The belt was shredded to pieces and all tangled up in the fan. Also, my transmission hose was cut, fluid all over. Got it towed to a trustworthy local mechanic and he replaced the hose, belt, tranny fluid and tension arm (the original cause of the problem) for $400. I was worried that I had done damage to the transmission, but the mechanic said that I should be ok, and he was right so far, no weird noises and runs the same as before. I drove locally for a little while and then left town for the winter.
My question (finally) is whether or not I could have done any hidden/permanent damage to the aluminum head. I have been reading that they are not as strong as the older cast iron ones. Yes, I am kind of a new guy, even though I have been lurking on here for years. So far no leaks or anything like that, but should I be looking out for anything when I get back?

Thanks, Ben R.

I'd Drive it and see how it goes. if you shut it down pretty quickly you may have averted damage.

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

If your mechanic put on the new belt, tranny lines, etc and made sure it was running well before returning it, I would imagine that he would have noticed the temp spiking, white steam in exhaust, etc. Of course there is only one way to find out and that is for you to check it out yourself - but in my experience mechanics need to put food on their tables. If he noticed anything awry he would have likely recommended an antifreeze or oil analysis. That would have translated into possibly more money down the road for him. Just my $0.02

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Probably no harm to the engine at all. Your wallet took a hit though.

As above, drive it and find out.

Watch for cooling system pressurization and white smoke, the original head on your car was known to crack easily OM602 & OM603 Cyl. Head Revision Reference

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks for all the advice guys. Everything actually seemed ok, I just got worried the more I was reading on this forum about the aluminum heads cracking and blowing gaskets (I have only had 300D's in the past). I'll be keeping an eye for any white smoke, etc.