Rich, if you are 50 miles N of Corpus on I-37, you are within a few 
miles of Corpus Christi State Park (exit at Mathis, IIRC).  There is 
also a rest area between you and Corpus, and one CAN stay overnight in 
Texas rest areas.  Some even have WIFI, and it couldn't be any less 
pleasant than a McDonalds parking lot.

Good luck, David

On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 3:18 PM, Richard Koerner wrote:

> Bill,
> Yes, when I was putting on the belt I turned the various items, they 
> all seem OK.  Yeah, I'm thinking of looking for some kind of bump or 
> something to get the front end high, and I understand wedging 
> something in throttle to keep RPM's high, or my water jug on the gas 
> pedal.  Looked around for any leaks or damage...none seen.  The belt 
> was in sad shape...my own fault....looked good from above, but when 
> turned inside out, it just cracks and crumbles like..."an old fan 
> belt".
>
> Thanks for the advice....will wait a bit longer for other list advice, 
> then shut computer down and do the bleeding.  McDonalds is convenient 
> for internet, and washing up after working on the car (although I do 
> carry a small container of GoJo waterless hand soap...priceless in a 
> time of need).  Might need to "motel" it tonight, starting to get late 
> in the afternoon and still a long way to go to get supplies, find a 
> campground, etc.  Don't want to be in the middle of nowhere unless I'm 
> confident in the vehicle's mechanical condition.
>
> Rich
>
>
> --- On Fri, 11/6/09, W Monk  wrote:
>
> From: W Monk Subject: Re: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt
> To: "Richard Koerner" Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> Date: Friday, November 6, 2009, 1:08 PM
>
> Rich,
> Did you give the a/c,powersteering,alternator,and waterpump a turn by 
> hand to make sure
> that they aren't seized or tight? Hopefully it was just a belt (I have 
> had one break before so it is possible with the 2.1 it likes to rip 
> off the hose going to the coolant ring). I would
> take and pull the nose up on a curb somewhere. Stick a dime holding 
> the throttle open
> and try to add some more coolant. While its still idling high open the 
> bleeder screw on
> top of the radiator and see what comes out. If only coolant comes out 
> your all set,if bubbles keep bleeding it. Might be time for a Libby 
> coolant bong......see thesamba.com
>  
>  
> Bill
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 3:39 PM, Richard Koerner  wrote:
>
> 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