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  #1  
Old 06-28-2005, 05:08 AM
Pearlywhites1992
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smelling antifreeze and or rubber...

Well, I don't see antifreeze, but my AC/PS belt is shredded! There's still
about 1/3 left, maybe that's what I smelled! I've done some searching
here, and now I think maybe water pump? Temps were still the same though,
and when I started it last time, it didn't seem to have all it's normal cranking amps. Maybe it's the alternator? Or maybe it just hasn't been getting enough juice due to the belt? I drop it off today. BTW, both belts were changed 10K ago. One last thing: P/S seems to be easier lately.(?) Anyone?
Damn, this is my five year anniversary with the car, and it just turned 150K.
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  #2  
Old 06-28-2005, 05:12 AM
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SilverSpear SilverSpear is offline
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your assumptions are very vague... why don't you frive it for like 15 mins and then quickly pop up the hood and see what's going on... Concerning the P/S pump, can you see red oil dropping below the car? .... try to narrow your case a little bit so we will be able to help you out...
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  #3  
Old 06-28-2005, 06:54 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
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Could be your idler pulley is dragging badly or seized. Hear any screeching?

dcb
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  #4  
Old 06-28-2005, 07:05 AM
Pearlywhites1992
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcarrb
Could be your idler pulley is dragging badly or seized. Hear any screeching?

dcb
That's what I'm thinking. Which is why I don't want to go drive it for 15 mins.
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  #5  
Old 06-28-2005, 07:15 AM
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SilverSpear SilverSpear is offline
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but you said you are smelling antifreeze stuff... which is the case?
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1994 Silver SVX in hybernation, awaiting for the monsterous awakening (Lebanon)
1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Euro Specs, Hard/Softtop, White/Red. Under Complete Restoration
2013 Mercedes-Benz SL350 Euro Specs, White/Red. Mint... Another step into SL Collection.
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  #6  
Old 06-28-2005, 07:56 AM
Pearlywhites1992
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"but you said you are smelling antifreeze stuff... which is the case?"

Henceforth my questioning of you guys!
Maybe it was the belt I was smelling? I didn't find any leaks
and the stock temp gauge read normal. I'm hoping it's just a seized pulley.
Thanks to all for your thoughts....
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  #7  
Old 06-28-2005, 08:28 AM
Pearlywhites1992
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"Hear any screeching?"

No, but something did seem louder yesterday with everything on:
headlights, fog lights, A/C, stereo, etc.. There is still some belt left as I said, so maybe the pulley is just slow. I was just wondering if that belt usually
breaks when it's the alternator or P/S pump going bad, I guess.
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  #8  
Old 06-28-2005, 08:38 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
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Can't imagine what else would shred a belt at 10,000 miles, assuming it was installed properly.

I had an idler seize on another Subaru a few years back. Smelled terrible, but the racket made everyone in the parking lot stop, turn and stare.

dcb
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  #9  
Old 06-28-2005, 11:05 AM
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Earthworm Earthworm is offline
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I think your crank pulley (harmonic balancer) has separated.
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  #10  
Old 07-02-2005, 12:05 AM
UniqueAngle
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Belts shred for many reasons. A few being:

* being too tight
* being too loose
* a pulley not being aligned properly (frequently a result of the next two)
* a damaged/worn pulley (that is out of balance or not turning properly)
* worn bearings - in whatever item the pulley is attached to, causing too much resistance or wobbling rotation
* brand of belt (ok, I bet you think I'm making that up, but not all belts are created equal, ask any Corvair owner)

Harmonic balancers frequently (though not always) make a hell of a racket when they separate. Last 2 I replaced could be heard for blocks when they went.

When it comes to identifying the smell: burnt rubber smells very different then anti-freeze. Cooked anti-freeze smells more like burnt sugar ... rubber ... well, that should be easy to identify (think of the smell when someone lights up their tires).
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  #11  
Old 07-02-2005, 06:02 AM
Pearlywhites1992
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First of all, thanks to those that replied. Second of all,
I'm blessed to have found a capable AND an honest mechanic,
less than a mile from my house. (Van Bortel Subaru is almost
an hour from here, though they are capable.) He couldn't find any particular
reason for that belt shredding, other than perhaps it was too tight.
He had quite a bit of work I guess getting the shredded rubber parts
out from around the alternator. He also noticed the radiator hose
wasn't on all the way, and the clamp was loose (?) and it was
dripping a little. He checked my battery and voltage system and said
everything seems fine, then charged me $60. (!)
Lastly, he said every person that walked in his shop, wanted to know
what the heck kind of car that was, and if it was for sale!
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