2005 Westminister. Alternator locked up back in December. Got a Used alternator off ebay - this was probably my biggest mistake, spun freely and put it on with a new belt. Replaced coolant tank as it had cracked open when alternator went out. Refilled coolant and all was well. Alternator charging, no noises. car running just fine. I had only put about 10 miles on the car since the alternator was installed in december, so this was the first long trip. Well seems like the repair lasted around 550 miles give or take.

Car has always had a mysterious coolant loss since I got it. IT will always drop level in the coolant tank to the minimum, but temp is always good and rock solid and after refilling it always just drops level. Thats a deeper investigation of that subject for another day, since I have driven it from Los Angeles to New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico in that condition without issue and never has it once overheated. So thats a subject for later.

So the wife and I decide to Take the kids to Las vegas for the weekend. Loaded up the rover, checked all fluids, and drove to Vegas no problem except the coolant light came on but the engine temp was steady and car had plenty of coolant except the level in the reservoir had gone down to trigger the light. Drove the car in Vegas a bit, no issue but still coolant light. No Biggie. Refilled coolant took maybe half a gallon.

We proceeded to Drive it home Back to Los Angeles and all was well apart from the coolant light. While driving, I did notice a few times the temp gauge would move ever so slightly up above the middle mark then back down a couple of seconds later. Its like it was just fluctuating up. This happened several time while driving, usually on a slight elevation change.

We stopped in Barstow to use the restroom and grab some drinks. Started Driving just fine. We made it about 70 miles from home, and then I heard this strange sound like a weird buzzing sound happen a couple of times while sitting in sole traffic that was moving. Then I felt Like I had a loss of power. Breifly like the car did not want to accelerate. No warning lights on the dash at all for anything. Car engine smooth and all. Strange. So I pulled over. Took a look, Couldnt see any issues with the belt. Topped up the coolant and we got back on the freeway. Not even 1/4 of a mile later, The noise came back, then I saw the battery light come on. so I pulled over in the nearest turnout which was right there. Stopped the car and shut it off. Opened the hood, and All looked fine then I saw the belt just loosen up and it was broken. I could smell it was burned.

I called the AAA and while waiting for a tow, I checked the pulleys. Tensioner water pump, ps pump and alternator and all are spinning, However, the used alternator I put in, when I spin it by hand it does not spin smoothly, it spins but it feels a bit like its under some tension. The water pump, power steering pump and tensioner pulleys all spin smooth.

So DO I buy a new Alternator and belt, put it in and see if that fixes that issue, And then figure out the coolant leak? I just want to get the car running and driving. Its an extra vehicle we do not really use often, mostly if we take a longer trip, so It tends to sit and only get moved once a week for months and months on end so I have plenty of time to figure out the coolant issue which I know for a fact I need to change the radiator as when I did the alternator last time I saw evidence of a very tiny pinhole but it was dry, but just had the calcified coolant remains. I did however see some coolant coming out from behind the head shielding on the passenger side of the vehicle the other day only when I had parked the car. I figure that could be coming from a hose at the firewall area beneath the cowling near the battery possibly. so I will of course check there for anything once I get it back up and running again.

Just looking to see if anyone thinks I should get a brand new alternator and swap it in, or if perhaps its some other issue that caused the belt. Car had no issues except for the slight coolant loss before the alternator went out originally and drives perfectly otherwise and runs fantastic. Also the water pump was replaced about 4 years ago and has done less than 20k since it was put on.

SO looking for some guidance apart from what I already know which is I need a belt and likely another replacement alternator. I wont be buying used again, but at the time for $50 for a used one that works, I couldn't pass up the saving of a few hundred dollars. I am more than capable to install it myself without issue. and I suppose I could buy 2 belts, one being a sacrificial belt and put it on and see if I can visually detect the culprit which is what I may do, I don't mind wasting a few dollars on a belt to help me diagnose the real issue. I am planning to order a new alternator and 2 belts so I can see if perhaps the current used alternator that is on it is the reason the belt broke. My gut tells me that the alternator is the culprit but I cant rule anything else out yet. But I am not ruling out anything else. I may find the tensioner got loose or something and then the belt rubbed and caused the failure just not sure yet