How to stop a Tesco's car park in its tracks...

Lazy-Ferret · 16-05-2018, 23:29

We are in Wales and my car has developed a sense of humour every time we go to Haverford West.

Basically we have a freezer full of Ferret food in the boot, running off the second battery, and each of the 3 times we have gone back to the car after having left it parked up for a few hours just as I start the car we get a breif but loud fan belt squeal. It only lasts a second or so, then clears, so I checked the alternator belt, but it seemed fine. Weird thing is, it didn't do it anywhere else, just Haverford West, and we parked up for longer times at other places...

Today is the last day of the holiday, and the weather was a bit dull, so we decided to take a ferret out with us for a drive and do some sight seeing and coastal walking. We stoped several times and one time we got the squeal, but it lasted for about 5 seconds. In that time I checked the voltage meter and it was at 13.6v, so not the alternator belt, then moved the steering wheel, and had power steering, so not the power steering pump belt, but then the noise went away... first guess, it must be the AitCon belt... great, the hardest one to get to, and adjust.

Couple more stop/starts and no more noise, getting late, so headed to Camathern for tea, and a quick stop at Tesco's... started the car and this time the squeak was an absolute scream, and did not stop.. everyone looked..

I parked the car in a safe place where I could get to the front, with smoke pouring out the bonnet, and lifted the bonnet... now here is why I love Wales, a guy came straight over and checked if I had any tools on me, otherwise he had some.. luckily I carry most things, so after thanking him, I got Suz to restart the car while I looked at the belts... again lots of looks from the rest of the car park wondering what such a noise was, and upon looking in the engine bay, sure enough the Aircon belt was not mooving. Looking at that belt, there is no way to get to it from the top of a hot engine, so digging out my tool box, I remove the engine tray, and use my trusty Gerber utility tool to cut the AirCon drive belt.

A lady sees me hand this from under the car to Suz and came over to see if we needed a lift to Halfords... these guys are so lovely.. in Kent they would have been nicking the wheels and batteries...

Anyway, the Aircon pump is seized solid, but not a problem for now.

Set off for home tomorrow so hope it's not too hot for the ferrets.

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jims-terrano · 16-05-2018, 23:36

Safe trip home after your little mishap.

solarman216 · 16-05-2018, 23:47

Think I have a pump going cheap, got to keep those little rascals cool,Rick

Lazy-Ferret · 17-05-2018, 00:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarman216

Think I have a pump going cheap, got to keep those little rascals cool,Rick

The one I had was going "cheap", that was the problem... lol...

Thanks for the offer, I'll look into it when I get back home, and decide if it's worth repairing, or if we switch to using Suz's car for ferret transport, and mine gets a second alternator on the bracket.

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solarman216 · 17-05-2018, 00:30

Ooh second alternator sounds good, the AC pump I have is on the Mrs motor and was disconnected a couple of years ago so not sure about it's condition, but you can have it for nowt, Rick

16-05-2018, 23:29	#1
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	How to stop a Tesco's car park in its tracks... We are in Wales and my car has developed a sense of humour every time we go to Haverford West. Basically we have a freezer full of Ferret food in the boot, running off the second battery, and each of the 3 times we have gone back to the car after having left it parked up for a few hours just as I start the car we get a breif but loud fan belt squeal. It only lasts a second or so, then clears, so I checked the alternator belt, but it seemed fine. Weird thing is, it didn't do it anywhere else, just Haverford West, and we parked up for longer times at other places... Today is the last day of the holiday, and the weather was a bit dull, so we decided to take a ferret out with us for a drive and do some sight seeing and coastal walking. We stoped several times and one time we got the squeal, but it lasted for about 5 seconds. In that time I checked the voltage meter and it was at 13.6v, so not the alternator belt, then moved the steering wheel, and had power steering, so not the power steering pump belt, but then the noise went away... first guess, it must be the AitCon belt... great, the hardest one to get to, and adjust. Couple more stop/starts and no more noise, getting late, so headed to Camathern for tea, and a quick stop at Tesco's... started the car and this time the squeak was an absolute scream, and did not stop.. everyone looked.. I parked the car in a safe place where I could get to the front, with smoke pouring out the bonnet, and lifted the bonnet... now here is why I love Wales, a guy came straight over and checked if I had any tools on me, otherwise he had some.. luckily I carry most things, so after thanking him, I got Suz to restart the car while I looked at the belts... again lots of looks from the rest of the car park wondering what such a noise was, and upon looking in the engine bay, sure enough the Aircon belt was not mooving. Looking at that belt, there is no way to get to it from the top of a hot engine, so digging out my tool box, I remove the engine tray, and use my trusty Gerber utility tool to cut the AirCon drive belt. A lady sees me hand this from under the car to Suz and came over to see if we needed a lift to Halfords... these guys are so lovely.. in Kent they would have been nicking the wheels and batteries... Anyway, the Aircon pump is seized solid, but not a problem for now. Set off for home tomorrow so hope it's not too hot for the ferrets. Sent from my SM-T705 using Tapatalk

16-05-2018, 23:47	#3
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,323	Think I have a pump going cheap, got to keep those little rascals cool,Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

17-05-2018, 00:30	#5
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,323	Ooh second alternator sounds good, the AC pump I have is on the Mrs motor and was disconnected a couple of years ago so not sure about it's condition, but you can have it for nowt, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

16-05-2018, 23:36	#2
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Safe trip home after your little mishap.