stranded in quinton, va. any members nearby that could help? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fender_bender · #1 04-21-2013, 08:33 PM

Hello all. So I drove to va beach last week and today started on the way back home. We made it to quinton, va when the alterator locked up and we threw some belts, then we started over heating. So the battery is completly dead, I have no spare belts (idiot), everything is closed, i don't have roadside assistance (idiot). If there is anyone nearby that has belts an/or an alternator that would be a great help! I would pay for everything. If I could just get the car 13 miles to mechanicsville i could put me and my family in a hotel and get to a napa for belts, or the german car mechanics place, or a uhaul place and rent stuff to get her back home. Is there anyone that can help? I could get by with an adjustable belt andvtake the alternator out of the loop, but my batt is dead so i'd have no lights... Any ideas? Any way to jerry rig the car to get the water pump to work?

kerry · #2 04-21-2013, 09:08 PM

Pair of panty hose tied around the water pump and main pulleys. Get someone to give you enough of a jump to charge the battery to run the headlights or 4 ways until you get to a hotel.

toomany MBZ · #3 04-21-2013, 09:44 PM

^ Agreed.

If your alt locked up, you need more than just a belt.

I'm close by, 30 minutes from Quinton, PM me.

fender_bender · #4 04-21-2013, 11:26 PM

Thanks guys. I made it to mechanicsville barely. Got a hotel for the night. Tomorrow I'm going to look around and see what can be done. If i can get the water pump going again and get the battery charged I can live without the alternator in the system. The battery shouldn't be drained too quickly with only break light and signal use. I'm not sure I'll find one around here anyway. I may call you tomorrow toomany. Thanks guys!

toomany MBZ · #5 04-22-2013, 08:07 AM

I'm off today, but will be in and out.

oldsinner111 · #6 04-22-2013, 08:27 AM

I'm near bristol virginia,how far to you.unless you can make it here your welcome to bed down,and we will fix car.

kerry · #7 04-22-2013, 09:49 AM

If you can't find a an alternator, buy a couple of adjustable belts and a spare battery to get you home.

toomany MBZ · #8 04-22-2013, 03:03 PM

He decided to rent a U-haul and take the car home.

HuskyMan · #9 04-22-2013, 10:09 PM

After having been through this situation twice myself (both times the car was hundreds of miles from home and BOTH times overheating issues), I've made the decision that when traveling out of town to a distant location I now rent a car for the trip. Even if you have made every effort to make sure your car is in good mechanical condition, Murphy's law will kick in and something will fail causing you a LOT of stress and delay. I always rent from a national concern (National, Enterprise, Avis, Hertz) so that if the rental car fails, I merely call them and request assistance. They have a network to assist me immediately (think GM ONStar). I have taken trips all over the country and have yet to have to call them due to a mechanical issue. Their cars run marvelously smooth and well. I always purchase the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) so that if there is an accident I walk away OWING NO MONIES. My blood pressure is lower and I enjoy the trip without the stress of worrying about mechanical break downs.

Graham · #10 04-23-2013, 12:13 AM

On later cars with a serpentine belt, you lose everything all at once. Had it happen to us while on elevated zero access highway. Charge light cam on, temperature rising fast, no PS so hard to steer. Turned heater on high (car has electric pump for heater) and that got temperature under control until we got off highway. Close to condo we were renting so got there and called tow truck to take her to nearest MB dealer. About $200 + $55 tow later, good to go!

Rental would be good, but in our case we need a car for a couple of months at destination. Rentals then get expensive!

BillGrissom · #11 04-23-2013, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

On later cars with a serpentine belt, you lose everything all at once.

Amen. I don't see why many classic car owners spend big bucks to convert to a serpentine belt setup. Must be just for show. Our 2002 T&C minivan stranded us for a day when the plastic pulley (yes) on the power steering pump cracked and took out everything. I wrapped a nylon rope around the crank, water pump and alternator pulleys, but it must have slipped on the alternator because we only made it 10 miles before no power. Modern gas engines suck a lot of juice, unlike my 300D's which requires no electricity except lights at night. Also, V-belt pulleys grab a nylon rope well, unlike slippery mult-V serpentine pulleys. I used that trick to keep the water pump turning and drive my 300D home when my alternator bearings seized like the OP's.

gregszustak · #12 04-23-2013, 05:55 AM

I have AAA
In New York you are able to get up to 200 miles in tow, for a bit over $100 per year.
I was able to help a stranded motorist by giving him the 800 number on the back of my card. They signed him up immediately, using his credit card, and he called them for service.
Probably cheaper and faster than trying to find a local garage.

Codifex Maximus · #13 04-23-2013, 06:07 AM

gregszustak said:
"I have AAA
In New York you are able to get up to 200 miles in tow, for a bit over $100 per year."

That's not a bad deal considering the average 30 mile tow could easily run you that much.

kerry · #14 04-23-2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

Amen. I don't see why many classic car owners spend big bucks to convert to a serpentine belt setup. Must be just for show. Our 2002 T&C minivan stranded us for a day when the plastic pulley (yes) on the power steering pump cracked and took out everything. I wrapped a nylon rope around the crank, water pump and alternator pulleys, but it must have slipped on the alternator because we only made it 10 miles before no power. Modern gas engines suck a lot of juice, unlike my 300D's which requires no electricity except lights at night. Also, V-belt pulleys grab a nylon rope well, unlike slippery mult-V serpentine pulleys. I used that trick to keep the water pump turning and drive my 300D home when my alternator bearings seized like the OP's.

What kind of knot? I've thought about the same thing but haven't decided on the appropriate knot. I'm thinking trucker's hitch but it puts two bulky knots in the rope.

vstech · #15 04-23-2013, 10:29 AM

a simple square knot would be fine for that.