Rep Power: 0

TL/DR : installed new alternator belt after old one snapped, new belt is smoking and squeaking, need to get car home so it doesn’t get towed out of the random lot it’s in, can I drive it 3 blocks to get it home? And how do I fix the smoking/Squealing new belt?

Hey guys, my alternator belt snapped last night while driving it. First the electronics died, then I realized the car itself had died, I used what momentum I had left to pull into a parking lot, where it remains now in danger of getting towed. I pulled the old belt out and installed the new one, but when I got the car started again after jumping it, the new belt was squeaking and it smelled like it was burning/smoking. Immediately I turned the engine back off and there it sits. I didn’t check the pulleys like I should have, so that’s my next step, but I’m pretty sure they were fine, as the belt that came off looked like it was the culprit of it’s own demise (cracks and general wear and tear). The day before that, it started this loud terrible squeaking and smelled burnt, so I took it to my mechanic and he said it’s probably the belt. He was right, as it snapped the next day. The video on YouTube said it should have had about a quarter inch of play to it, and that’s what I tensioned it to. I’m thinking a pulley is seized, or the belt may be too tight? Not entirely sure. I’m south of Seattle so the nonstop rain has been an absolute joy to be working in, but the new belt didn’t get wet at all, so I know it’s not just water on the belt. Unfortunately I’m also a broke a$$ college student without the money to take it in for a formal repair, so I’ve been doing all my repairs by YouTube learning and hand tools. Should I try and take this squeaking and smoking belt the few (3) blocks to get it home so it doesn’t get towed? Any advice on why the new belt would be squeaking/smoking?

 
Rep Power: 224

To me it sounds like either the alternator or A/C compressor seized up. If one is no longer freely spinning you will have lots of squealing/smoke and eventually the belt will break. With the belt off try to spin them both by hand, find out which is the culprit.

 
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Im going to try that today if the rain could stop pouring that’d be great. Do you think if I leave the AC off (in case that’s the culprit) I could make it 3 blocks home? Or if it’s the alternator seizing up (I think I remember the alternator pulley turning freely but it may have been the p/s pump) could that make it the 3 blocks home?

 
Rep Power: 210

I agree, make sure that the A/C and alternator turn freely. If both turn freely, try tightening the belt. If the battery is dead then the alternator is under full load and if the belt is loose it will slip. Anytime you loosen the alternator bolts make sure they are tightened again or you will fry the PCM.

 
Rep Power: 224

If you get the battery fully charged you should have no issues driving 3 blocks without that belt installed. I would think you could go 20-30 minutes on a fully charged battery.

 
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Alright, I’ll go to the car (hopefully it’s not towed already) and uninstall (or maybe just cut the belt and buy a new one) and take her home for further analysis, will update

 
Rep Power: 224

You mentioned having to jump start the car the other day, I hope you fully charged the battery since then or you may not make it.

 
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Welp, tightened the belt a little bit and tried to start her up, but it died a few seconds after starting. Smoke started coming through the intake manifold, I believe from the alternator as it’s right next to it. Gotta pay $70 to have it towed at my house, I’m assuming it’s the alternator that has seized up

 
Rep Power: 222

You're better off (and cheaper) to get an OEM one from a junkyard rather than a crappy parts store one

 
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Any Update on this?