2008 HSE driving and the power steering stopped working. Battery light came on, and then the temperature gauge spiked....Pulled over and waited about an hour. Was able to drive it the ten miles to our destination, still no power steering and the temperature gauge has high, and then a big puff of white smoke came out of the exhaust.

Any thoughts? Getting her towed back home the 100 (very expensive miles)...

 

Serpantine belt gone. Replace belt, that should fix battery light (no alternator turning) and power steering (power steering pump not turning). Temp spiked because no water pump turning. IMHO, from what you have said, the vehicle will need head gasket replaced (white puff of smoke is coolant flashing to steam and leaving the combustion chamber of one or more cylinders). It will be a lot more expensive than towing. You may have also "cracked" the block or a head.

A fellow might decide to replace the belt (easy fix), and pour in a bottle of head gasket repair, like KSeal, and try it. If it works, you have bought some time and the towing bill can go toward repairs that may be needed. If it doesn't work, you were already looking at high dollar repairs anyway.

IMHO, you would have been better off to immediately pull off and shut down the engine as soon as the battery light came on and steering became "heavy". At that point engine was not overheated yet. But it does not take long.

 

Serpentine belt has broken, for whatever reason. Could be a bad tensioner, seized pulley, etc...

But now the big concern is whether or not you did damage to the engine by driving in an overheated state. At this point, your best bet is to have it towed to a specialist. Either to a trusted mechanic back home, or one close to your current location. Land Rover Repair Shops - Find a Land Rover Mechanic | LRShops.com can help you locate those that claim proficiency on Land Rovers.

If your lucky, no damage was done to the motor and you can fix the problem with the belt. Worst case scenario, you may need headgaskets or an engine.

 

Thank you for your help! Had it towed yesterday we will see....

 

Please post back with what took out the belt (if road trash maybe insurance will cover); and any repairs needed (pulley, other rotating device; and of course engine). Good luck.

 

You cooked that engine. What the **** did you not want to call a tow truck? I hope you realize that you have to pay the bill yourself. No warrantee covers the customer driving on the problem. Sorry but at minimum its new heads. at max its a new engine nothing below 5 grand and at minimum at least 13 grand for the new motor not to mention the labour.

 

Geez Rovin your an upbeat guy!

It was the balancer (he said he had never seen that before) that snapped and took out the belt. So far all that is needed is a new balancer and a seal. He does not believe there was any engine damage. He ordered the part yesterday and will have it today. He drove it yesterday without issue, so I am hoping that that is it.

 

From a BEEN THERE DONE THAT, my P38 did the SAME thing as far as the overheat, white puff and it was the ENGINE that finally gave up about 300 miles later. You need to watch the temperature like a HAWK when it comes back to you. IF the temp gauge runs ANYPLACE near 3/4 up the scale you STILL Have a problem. The guys will know where TRUE Normal is on your model.
I got a used engine and had it put in for $5,000.00 and so far so good.
Good luck

 

are you sure your talking about a balancer?
could you have meant a tensioner?
to have a balancer break would be pretty monumental

 

My mechanic showed us the piece, big heavy round metal with a whole in the center. It came off and took off the belt. Nothing else happened so far. We are keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge.