My car has been squealing when I first start it up and so I just got some belts and pulleys replaced. Also, the air condtioning has been working on and off for the past few weeks. I got the freon filled and it worked for a few hours perfectly and now not at all. Plus, two days after the air totally stopped working, there was a squeling noise and the power steering went out. I popped the hood and there was a broken belt (about 1/2 an inch thick). Does anyone know what could be wrong with my AC, and also, most importantly is it safe to drive it to a repair shop with a missing belt?
2006-08-15 13:10:11 · 16 answers · asked by jenniferchesnutt 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
depends. if your mechanic is closeby i think you could make it without any problems. If your car begins to overheat just pullover and let it cool and do that repeatedly until you reach the mechanic. if its hooked up to your alternator, youll run out of power in a couple miles, so if your car just dies after a bit of running call el tow man. :)
2006-08-15 13:43:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Did you already replaced that belt? If you did, call the mechanic who did the work explain the problem and demand they send someone to fix it or pay for your car to be towed to their shop so they can do the job right. If you have a friend with knowledge about cars or someone who can work customer service problems well(like being very annoying), take them with you. Ask questions, ask for explanations, and don't stop until your confident their being truthful. The car is not safe to drive as if you need to react quickly you will not be able to and you will be liable no matter what the situation because of the car's condition.
Also...
If your A/C is leaking don't waste your money on freon. Roll down the window or see if the car's A/C can be recharged with one of the products you can find at your local autostore.
2006-08-15 13:27:55 · answer #2 · answered by Future Resident 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really enough information to determine anything definitive. The belt is likely your alternator belt. This means that your battery is not recharging. This lack of power might be affecting your power steering, and might be the cause of your AC fault. Depending on how far away your shop is, you may get there. Just as likely, you may have a total power failure from your overworked battery. Get a tow, especially if you have AAA.
Likely, the AC problem is not related directly to the belt. The AC is likely the blower motor, which is not getting power. If it still does not work, check the blower motor.
2006-08-15 13:19:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who filled the freon? Was it a qualified shop or one of your buddies? If they put 134A into a R-12 system you've just blown your compressor. Which is what that problem sounds like to me.
As for your power steering, the belt is gone and possibly the pump. This is going to make it very hard to drive to a shop. Not impossible, just not recommended, especially if it's very far.
2006-08-15 13:20:50 · answer #4 · answered by soaplakegirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
geez sounds like your car is falling apart, if your power steering is out, its probably not that easy to drive. You should ask someone you know to take a look, its probably just be a fan belt or something which it would be fine to drive as long as its not too hot and not too far. Or the Water pump belt which would be ok to drive very short distances but kinda risky. Most AC compressors are motor driven so i doubt that is it.
2006-08-15 13:17:43 · answer #5 · answered by swingaway1021 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the pump belt on your AC compressor, if it is then driving won't be too much of a problem, just squealy, noisy, but if it's your timing belt, then that's a real problem, don't even turn it on or turn it over. Whatever, try to get a mechanic to come and take a look at it before you do anything and let him decide what's best.
2006-08-15 13:17:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what the belt drives. If it turns the water pump, I wouldn't recommend it. If it turns the alternator, you might make it before the battery dies.
What kind of car is it (year/make/model/engine)? Is it a v-belt (shaped like a v) or is it flat and ribbed?
It sounds like your A/C compressor siezed. Usually, when they charge your A/C, they add a can of Oil Charge, which keeps things lubricated and refreshes the seals. Check to see if this was done. Sometimes, though, A/C compressors just break...
2006-08-15 13:16:21 · answer #7 · answered by john_stolworthy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The water pump is driven by the belt, you'll burn the motor up. If you have multiple belts and the belt driving the water pump still has its belt then you can but your power steering isn't going to work and thats a safty issue.
2006-08-15 13:17:51 · answer #8 · answered by mad_mav70 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats what happened to my car! Except for the a/c part! This happened to my car on Friday and the mechanic told me to not drive the car because its dangerous and besides the car won't advance! Call a tow truck! For this I had to pay 300 dollars! I'm sooo broke right now! But my car is working now!
2006-08-15 13:19:21 · answer #9 · answered by xSilverStarx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're risking some issues here. yet would be waiting to get with the aid of doing so. Asides from what all and sundry has pronounced "BLOWN HEADGASKET" you in addition to would danger the prospect of warping your cylinder heads. Which relatively skill you would be SOL. you ought to continuously call AAA or come across a chum who has it to get it accomplished for you. maximum shops wil supply unfastened tows to their autoshop. stable luck! BTW examine your water pump shaft. on occasion belts wreck whilst the water pump shaft bearings supply out. The slightest deviance at extreme rpms is a brilliant subject.
2016-10-02 03:31:20 · answer #10 · answered by woolf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋