What I meant was if you or your partner want to ever wear them again and not
having to cut off a leg... :)

Karl Wolz wrote:

> 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