BTDT.  And it actually worked!

Don't quite know what you mean about rolling it up, though.  I used one leg,
stretched tight around the pulleys, and then tied in a knot.  Used a knife
to cut off the excess.

Kept it under about 2000 rpms and made it about five mile to a shop.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Klun" <jklun@GJ.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 7:04 PM
Subject: Re: Need help with belts

> A few years ago, Shell Gasoline published a series of helpful hints
pamphlets
> covering various quick fixes when you break down on the road.  One of them
had to
> do with broken belts.  They recommended using your wife's, girl friend's,
> mistress's (or even your own) panty hose.  Simply roll it up tightly, run
it
> around the pulleys and tie it tight with a small knot.  This should get
you to
> the nearest repair facility.
>
> Benjamin Tan wrote:
>
> > Steven,
> >
> > << 1) Can I drive 5 miles to a shop beltless?  Certainly I can do
without
> >      power steering or A/C, and I ought to be OK without the alternator
> >      for a while.  So, I suppose the only worry is the water pump?
> >      Can I run for 5 miles un-cooled on a cold day, if I watch my
> >      temperature gauge?  (Note: when my belts broke 7 months ago, I
> >      didn't realize it at first, and kept driving.  Within 5 minutes,
> >      the coolant distributer box had burst, necessitating a tow and yet
> >      another round of expensive repairs.  Obviously I don't want to
> >      repeat that, but it was in the middle of summer, and I wondered
> >      if that might make a difference).>>
> >
> > ABSOLUTELY NOT. You will likely break the water T-pipe again if drive
w/o the
> > water pump running. The alternator and the water pump share a belt. The
other
> > stuff you can get away with.
> >
> > <<(2) I think Wal-Mart carries temporary-use "emergency belts" that
strap
> >      on easily.  Any thoughts about using one of those to get the van to
a
> > shop?>>
> >
> > Belts are relatively easy to replace. However, if you must use the
temporary
> > belts, they should work if you are able to cinch it up to get the water
pump
> > and alternator running. I have personally used a cable tie (a giant
version
> > of those little plastic ties used for wiring and stuff) as a temporary
belt.
> >
> > << Any ideas what would cause new belts to spontaneously break?>>
> >
> > It is possible that the plastic shielding from the AC compressor slipped
> > under the belts and caused them to twist on each other. Tightening the
belt
> > too much can cause this too.
> >
> > Changing belts is as easy as loosening bolts. Slipping the old belt off.
New
> > belt on. Put tension son the belt. Then tighten it all back up.
> >
> > BenT
> > San Francisco