Mustang worry.

dubtom

My mustang has developed a noise that seemed to me to be coming from the fan belt area,as if the pulleys had come loose, no squealing, just a bit of a rattle. A friend guesses that it may be an alternator bearing ( it has a dipstick BTW!!!). I'm not going to be able to get to a mechanic before xmas but am worried what may happen if driven, because I had plan to take it out over the holidays.Would driving the car with that problem result in serious damage if it 'let go' As you may have guessed, i'm a dumba## when it comes to mechanics, epecially on my own cars.

kyote00

I had a generator sieze on a 1964 Cortina. On the cortina, the belt also drives the water pump so any slipping etc is not good as the engine may not be cooling properly.

I was driving when it seized, lots of rubbery smoke and squealing but no real damage done. I got the generator refurbished by Hamiltons off the south circular road. I had to cut the bely out and limp home -- luckily I was close to home

Manic Moran

A lot of American cars have 'timing belts' instead of 'fan belts'. They look pretty similar, but have much more function than simply getting the radiator fan to go around. The belt loops over three or four different pulleys, to get everything to work in synch together. If that goes, the car will cease operating immediately.

Probably won't do any more physical damage than already exists, but definitely will be a bit embarassing.

NTM

mustang68

Depending on your set up you may have more then one belt at the front of your engine. but here is my limited take on it:

1: Your alt is gone, test it by taking off the belt and turning it by hand, see if it feels loose/rough/clunky

2: a) One of the belts is loose:tighten the belt or b)glazed: buy a can of belt anti-slip in your local motor factors. I found after-market belts on the mustang are close, but not spot-on, so a bit squeeky

3) Power steering, if you have it, same deal, take the belt off, check if its turning ok and has fluid in it (these do go badly, I stripped my PS out)

Don't get caught in the belts when your working on them

dubtom

Thanks lads, I'll check out those suggestions.

mustang68

...dipstick.... that might be your power steering pump, it will have hoses coming out the back. They do go, new pump is about 200euros, don't bother with the rebuild kit if thats the problem.

69 mustang

mustang68 wrote:

Depending on your set up you may have more then one belt at the front of your engine. but here is my limited take on it:

1: Your alt is gone, test it by taking off the belt and turning it by hand, see if it feels loose/rough/clunky

2: a) One of the belts is loose:tighten the belt or b)glazed: buy a can of belt anti-slip in your local motor factors. I found after-market belts on the mustang are close, but not spot-on, so a bit squeeky

3) Power steering, if you have it, same deal, take the belt off, check if its turning ok and has fluid in it (these do go badly, I stripped my PS out)

Don't get caught in the belts when your working on them

I'd second that, method of elimination is the best way and a good hands on shake.