Corvair Forum

My generator broke letting the belt come off. I seen smoke coming out of the hood at a long redlight. Engine was cackeling when I pulled away. I got around 3 miles down the road and it died at the next light. would crank over slowing. rigged a new belt on it, it started and I drove it home. I hope I didn't toast the engine.

mcgasman wrote:My generator broke letting the belt come off. I seen smoke coming out of the hood at a long redlight. Engine was cackeling when I pulled away. I got around 3 miles down the road and it died at the next light. would crank over slowing. rigged a new belt on it, it started and I drove it home. I hope I didn't toast the engine.

Stick a fork in it, it's done, pull it apart. I could list the parts that were damaged by driving 3 additional miles after it already overheated, but it would be a very long post.

Keep driving it if it's road worthy.

If it isn't making strange sounds and has normal power you might get lucky and get more miles out of it. Just don't go on any long trips without towing insurance until it seems to be okay. Many of us have overheated like that and got much more use out of our engines. You certainly shortened the life of the engine but maybe not as bad as you think. What have you got to lose at this point?

The Vair is still running strong. It does not make any noises at all. And I fixed the idiot lights.

IF and WHEN you break the belt,And the light comes on,turn on the HEATER, this will help to cool it,DO NOT DRIVE VERY FAR,