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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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