so i did some searching and i over tightened my belt that's why it snapped but i stopped my car and parked it as soon as i seen it start to heat up, my question is my house is like 1.2 miles from where i parked it once my car cools down would it be ok if i started her up and slowly made my way to my house so i can fix her belt or would that damage the car? and i have to call in a tow? any help is appreciated thank you

 

Heated up? So it's the water pump, not just the alternator.

Don't do it. I wouldn't do that with any car, even one not as susceptible to overheating damage as an 8.

Get it towed, or have a friend take you back with your tools and a new belt.

Ken

 

Your car wont even start.
Actually the first time it may start and will heat up in less than a minute
After that it wont even start. Get it towed and have the belt replaced, coolant flushed, might as well do the thermostat and waterpump at the same time will save you labor.

I know this because it happened to me a few months ago on the higway.

 

i was going around 30 mph when i herd it snap, i checked with other posts and my waterpump spins freely so it is not sized or anything and i went and bought a new belt but my a/c belt is in the way so i got to take that off to put the alternator belt in, and i cant do that kind of maintnance were im parked or might get introubble if a cop rolls by but i havent tryed to turn it on ever since i turned it off, im going to take your guyses advice and go get it towed but i think my waterpump should be ok from what i read on others post

 

I don't know what these guys are on about with telling you to replace you coolant, water pump, and thermostat.

The only thing that broke was the belt, so that's the only thing that has a problem (unless you didn't catch the overheating soon enough, but you probably did).

Don't start the car, or you will very likely damage your engine from lack of coolant flow in a matter of seconds. I feel like the other two think there's a water pump issue because they forgot that the alternator belt also goes to the pump.

 

never had a problem with my cooling system so i agree with you probbly over heated because the cooliant wasent cerculating because belt broke once i place new belt tmmrow i will update status on car

 

That's the problem: the water pump isn't running because of the broken belt. Unless the over-tightened belt damaged the bearings before it snapped, the pump should be OK.

Funny how rare broken belts are these days. Used to be pretty common for them to wear out and break.

Ken

 

my belt snapped because my alternator seized up. make sure everything spins freely and dont try to start the car w/o the belt