Belt came off my pulleys

[villinvr6]

Just when I was starting my VR6 this morning, i smelt some burning odour from the car, checked under and what do you know, a broken belt...I dont know how this was caused, there appears to have been some high pitch noise coming from the pulleys for a couple weeks now, and finally they snapped.
How did this happen? were my belts that frozen and decided to snap when I started my car?

Hope that VW will warranty this for me since I bought the 2 year warranty....


What a beginning of a new year...

[Jett@300]

over time your belt can stretch or maybe there isnt enough tension on the belt. anytime you hear a screech its usually a sign that your belts are slipping. usually other then having to replace the belt there is no ill side effects. that doesnt mean you should buy a belt and call it a day either. check the the belt tensioner and make sure it places the necessary tension on the belt and make sure that when the belt broke it didnt whip into an important line or hose.

[villinvr6]

will VW cover this under warranty?
How hard is it to change the belts?
If I were to go to say a canadian tire or somewhere else becauase VW wont cover it and I know for sure theyre gonna be pricey, how much do you think places like canadian tire will charge me?
If I were to do it myself, do I have to pull out the engine?

BTW, are these called drive belts or V belts?

[Luv4Dubs]

Something similar to me happened about a week ago except the belt didn't snap. My belt was riding over the belt tensioner pulley but there was no actually ummm.... can't think of the name of it. (the little piece that the belt glides over was gone. So basically my belt was spinning over metal. I got to it before it snapped but still had to replace belt and tensioner. I saw my mechanic install both in lessthan 20 min. It didn't look difficult at all. I had some other stuff done as well but don't think it was that expensive. However, I'm sure the dealership will cost a grip. Good luck. I HATE THE DEALERSHIP!!!
Oh yeah, and it's called the serpentine belt if I'm not mistaken.

[evilgti2000]

I did a DIY awhile back on this, here is the link http://www.vwforum.com/viewtopic.php...ight=tensioner . The most common problem is that the idler pulley on the belt tensioner seizes and causes the belt to rub through causing a horrible smell and whine/screech. Hope this helps.

[shedpress]

Originally Posted by evilgti2000

I did a DIY awhile back on this, here is the link http://www.vwforum.com/viewtopic.php...ight=tensioner . The most common problem is that the idler pulley on the belt tensioner seizes and causes the belt to rub through causing a horrible smell and whine/screech. Hope this helps.

thank you Andy. I might have to do this soon, so this write-up will come in handy. Thanks!

[Straz85]

Never saw that thread, I'll definitely use it though. Thanks!

[evilgti2000]

Originally Posted by silverGTI

thank you Andy. I might have to do this soon, so this write-up will come in handy. Thanks!

No problem guys, hope it helps you all out .

[villinvr6]

So, I talked to VW the other day, booked an appointment for friday morning, too bad there were no loaner cars available till the 19th , but yeah anyways, they told me if the pulley or the tensioner were seized, then they would warranty everything, but if not, its gonna cost me $116.00 plus taxes for the replacement of the belt and $50.00 to tow my car there...hope its warrantied, I can use the money

[Luv4Dubs]

Originally Posted by villinvr6

So, I talked to VW the other day, booked an appointment for friday morning, too bad there were no loaner cars available till the 19th , but yeah anyways, they told me if the pulley or the tensioner were seized, then they would warranty everything, but if not, its gonna cost me $116.00 plus taxes for the replacement of the belt and $50.00 to tow my car there...hope its warrantied, I can use the money

Hopefully your warranty will cover it. If not, I'll be surprised if you get out of the dealership paying only $116.00. I hope that's the case but..... I don't think so. From what you said previously, sounds like there's more to it! Good luck and let us know how it goes.