Cruising down the highway in my 02 disco 2, I notice that the little battery icon lit up. I'm thinking this is an alternator thing, but my first thought was not the belt, because I just replaced it within the past month. I thought maybe electrical error.

Then I see my temp climbing. I pull over immediately and turn the truck off. I was in the red zone for maybe 2 seconds before I killed it.

I look under the hood and my coolant is bubbling in the reservoir, and sure enough, the belt is broken. Sitting on the shoulder waiting for AAA now.

Did I catch this in time, or am I looking at major repairs?

 

Should be fine but you wont really be sure till you get it all back together. and check your fluids after running for a bit. Might want to look into changing out the belt tensioner if you have never done that yet as well.

 

Thanks. How much is that part typically and is it a difficult job? I am reasonably comfortable working under the hood, but time is limited, as I am a medical resident.

This is a good month though, as far as free time goes.

 

I'd replace the tensioner and both idler pulleys. I had an idler fail with no warning recently so I just replaced them all. Ebay and rockauto.com are cheap places to get the parts.

They're all very easy, the hardest part is getting the belt back on, which is a bit of a wrestling match. The pulley/tensioner swapping part will take 15 mins tops. The belt will probly take another 15 unless you've done it before a few times. An extra set of hands will make it easier.

 

Right on. I've done the belt before and its no biggie. I guess ill go ahead and replace it all. Thanks for the advice.

 

You're probably fine but make sure you get all the remnants of the old belt out. When mine broke a while back, I somehow missed some wrapped behind my crank pulley, a few weeks later all the spinning caused it to rip open my front main seal causing a massive oil leak.

 

The RED light comes on at 284 F. Head gaskets can go at 235 F if run long enough. The gauge on the D2 is programmed to point at 50% until over 240F. So you were overheating in seconds after belt failed. Let Santa bring you an Ultra Gauge so you can watch temps and have alarm set points for actual values, not the pretend gauge.

Note - when battery light comes on, good idea to stop and check for belt. Belt OK and alternator not means about 1/2 to 2 hours of running time before electrics (fuel pump) fail. Depends on type and age of battery.

 

In case of random belt failure on on a DII, its good to check the power steering pump pulley and make sure it is still in line with the rest of the accessory drive and hasn't "walked out" toward the radiator. Seen quite a few throw a belt for this reason.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The battery icon was on for maybe 10-20 seconds before the temp started creeping up.

 

On closer evaluation, the culprit seems to be the little idler pulley just below the tensioner. Looks like it somehow came loose.