Driving without a fan belt. - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stretch · #31 04-25-2013, 07:36 AM

Alternatively next to your emergency panties and your emergency Scotch you could have one of these =>

funola · #32 04-25-2013, 11:58 AM

fisherman's knot - Google Search

I think a fisherman's knot is a good knot with a nylon rope "shoelace".

qwerty · #33 04-25-2013, 12:16 PM

For the record, my "shoe lace" suggestion had nothing to do with alternative fan belts; it was suggested as a method of disabling the fan clutch.

NoSparkNeeded · #34 04-25-2013, 07:46 PM

Maybe I'm not understanding properly, but if nothing is turning the water pump when the
belt breaks, what is circulating the coolant? With no circulation the temp gauge would only display the temp by the sensor. Couldn't you then get really hot coolant around the
cylinders that would not show on the gauge? The car could be overheating and you would not know immediately. I know with my V12 Jag you have to be VERY careful
changing coolant, not to get a bubble (space) in the cooling system. That would result
in a very hot concentrated spot not getting cooled. Am I making any sense? How does
the engine stay cool with no circulation of coolant?

kerry · #35 04-25-2013, 08:11 PM

People are saying that the pump is turning as a result of the air coming thru the radiator spinning the fan blades.

The fan clutch in MB vans have little tabs on them which can be bent over, locking the clutch and turning it into a non-clutched fan for conditions like this (and failed clutches.)

NoSparkNeeded · #36 04-25-2013, 08:27 PM

Kerry thank you!! This was really gving me a "brainworm" trying to figure out why I wasn't getting this thread. Even after the quick glimmer of the fan driving it, I thought
the clutch probably wouldn't work that way, but if spinning fast enough it surely might.

sassparilla_kid · #37 04-25-2013, 08:49 PM

I don't think I would really want to drive without a fan belt

Shortsguy1 · #38 04-25-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty

For the record, my "shoe lace" suggestion had nothing to do with alternative fan belts; it was suggested as a method of disabling the fan clutch.

Okay, so let's assume you have access to a shoe lace. Is it probably better to use that lace to disable the fan clutch (as qwerty suggested), or is it better to try to use that lace to create a belt to drive the water pump? The former seems more guaranteed of "success", but the latter provides a better definition of "success". Any thoughts?

DeliveryValve · #39 04-26-2013, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shortsguy1

Okay, so let's assume you have access to a shoe lace. Is it probably better to use that lace to disable the fan clutch (as qwerty suggested), or is it better to try to use that lace to create a belt to drive the water pump? The former seems more guaranteed of "success", but the latter provides a better definition of "success". Any thoughts?

If you were stuck in a stop and go situation, the "disabling the fan" solution will cause higher temperatures because the water pump will not turn. Where else having the lace drive the water pump, you will circulate the coolant regardless if the car is moving or not.

Btw- the both cars temps were normal on the lace to the water pump. Never even close to 90° C.

fender_bender · #40 04-26-2013, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

Alternatively next to your emergency panties and your emergency Scotch you could have one of these =>

I asked about these adjustable belts at carquest and napa. They looked at me like I was crazy. I didn't have a shoe lace (wouldn't have thought of that anyway). I was wearing beach shoes and my wife and son were wearing sandals. The only thing the gas station had was duct tape and electrical tape.

Air&Road · #41 04-26-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1960mog

Hi

I was driving the 240D on the freeway last Friday, when suddenly the alternator bearings froze up and shredded my fan belt.
I kept driving at about 65 mph, expecting the engine to overheat soon.
To my surprise the temperature only rose to about 95° C.
So I kept driving for 50 Miles until I hit Las Vegas city traffic and had to slow down.
Then at once the temperature climbed to 110° C and I had to shut the engine of.

At a speed of about 60 mph there is enough air flow through the radiator to spin the fan and the water pump fast enough to keep the engine temperature in acceptable limits.

I also found that the heater didn't work.
The water pump didn't spin fast enough to force the coolant through the heater core.

Nice to know that you can drive this old Diesels without a fan belt, as long as you drive fast enough.

BTDT! I was about five miles out of Hope, Arkansas one time when the alternator light came on. I stopped and found the alternator belt gone. I drove at Interstate speed with no trouble to Hope, got an alternator belt and replaced it in front of the store. No overheating issues whatsoever. At that speed the fan is windmilling, providing for coolant circulation. I sure wouldn't want to try to make it through a few traffic lights and stop signs though.

qwerty · #42 04-26-2013, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shortsguy1

Okay, so let's assume you have access to a shoe lace. Is it probably better to use that lace to disable the fan clutch (as qwerty suggested), or is it better to try to use that lace to create a belt to drive the water pump? The former seems more guaranteed of "success", but the latter provides a better definition of "success". Any thoughts?

Just to be clear, I was not recommending the former option over the latter. It just seemed that the problem associated with a clutch-driven fan could be easily overcome. My initial comment was intended to address only that issue. (Sometimes, context is everything.)

Clearly, anyone with the capability to craft an alternative belt to drive the water pump should do precisely that. Locking the fan clutch would be a much less effective option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliveryValve

If you were stuck in a stop and go situation, the "disabling the fan" solution will cause higher temperatures because the water pump will not turn.

"Disabling the fan" and "disabling the fan clutch" are two very different concepts.

DeliveryValve · #43 04-26-2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty

.....

"Disabling the fan" and "disabling the fan clutch" are two very different concepts.

Of course they are, but I was indeed referring to disabling the clutch. In any event to answer the previous question, my point is at idle, the water pump will not be turning without any moving air. While a laced pump will be constantly turning.

.