Volks,

Was merrily cruisin along on my way to Corpus Christi from Austin.� Am about 50 miles north of Corpus Christi.� Red blinking temp light, alternator light on, temp needle rising fast.� (I'm ALWAYS scanning gauges and lights, couldn't have been overheating for more than a minute or two I think.)� Immediately pulled over and shut down.� Dripping coolant from rear.� Opened hatch; coolant tank almost empty, gurgling, overflow tank still had about normal.� Broken belt to the water pump.

Luckily, I had all 3 brand new belts.� Figured out which was which by process of elimination.� Couldn't figure out how to get the AC belt off; don't use it, so cut it off with a knife.� Loosened power steering pump and alternator, removed all belts.� Replaced the power steering and alternator/water pump belt, tightened up the bracket with reasonable tension on belt, not too much.

Filled empty coolant tank with water.� Started engine.� Immediately it sucked out all the water I added.� So I added more.� Stabilized.� Shut off engine.� Added water to overflow tank.� Re-started engine, revved it over 2000, sucked more coolant into engine, then when idle returns to 850, coolant rises to top.� Put all caps back on tanks.� Said a prayer of thanks.

All seems normal now.� Did I do any permanent damage?� Idles fine, runs fine, temp needle right on the LED as per normal.� Drove at 55 on the freeway to this McDonalds for WiFi.� It's about 2:30 Texas time, Friday afternoon.� 

About all I think I need to do is try to bleed the radiator, if I can find a place to raise the front end.� Anything else I should do?� System was bled and coolant replaced about a year ago; I do it like clockwork every 2 years.

Rich
85 GL with a 1.9, 178,000 miles, off the road in Texas, simmering down