skim

I was inspecting my non functioning AC at night and even before I realized what was happening, the belt spinner thing sucked in my string. Is it safe to drive the car still? I probably won't be able to get to it for 2 weeks or so since it'd be my first time doing belts based on well documented DIY procedures. The belt is moving fine it seems like and no noise..

TMc993

Wow! I bet that was a thrill! Neckties and hoodie cords are a menace with this area of almost any car.

If you haven't already done so, pull the DME relay and bump the starter until the belt turns enough to release the pieces of cord caught in the pullies. Then check the tension on the belts and make sure the pullies are true. Also make sure nothing was sucked into the fan and down on the fins of the cylinders. Assuming no issues with these items, you should be able to drive the car safely.

Mike J

AND (I guess you know this now) no dangling stuff near moving parts. .. be careful out there!

Cheers,

Mike

(BTW, **** as I am, I try to make sure the lettering on all the belts is readable from the rear of the car ... easily adds 10HP - LOL)

Marc Shaw

A great reason not to do engine work naked.

Marc

pp000830

Let the car churn it up and spit it out I say!

race911

Who all is old enough to remember the shop class "don'ts" with dude hanging over a lathe with a necktie?

Back to the problem at hand--just put it in 5th or 6th and bump (push) the car forward or backward a few feet. Should be able to fetch it, unless it really got wound up down in the shims.

IXLR8

I would do what Ken suggested and if that does not work, I would just disassemble the pulleys (as if you were doing a belt change) and do it right.

That chunk at the top of the pulley clearly shows the belt being raised off the pulley for a tighter than wanted belt tension....if it was correct before sucking in those green feathers. BTW, what were you doing with feathers in your engine compartment? They are usually used elsewhere.

BTW, your AC belt is on backwards...the letters and numbers are upside down.

Ed Hughes

Reminds me of when I started selling commercial cooking equipment many moons ago, when I wore suit/tie. Had a griddle plate up to look at something, and the tip of my tie got ignited by the pilot light. That was the quickest fire extinguish ever, I can assure you.

Then, there was the competitor who splashed hot oil all over his belly doing a new equipment demo on his fryers at a big college project. The image of him stripping his portly body down to his red "bikin" skivvies, is an image that all who were present, will unfortunately never forget....

vincer77

Sounds like you were damn lucky!

Garth S

Trans in neutral w. park brake on ..... rotate alternator shaft nut (24mm) slowly clockwise while pulling your cord [that doesn't sound right] .... should lead to a successful withdrawal [ still doesn't sound right] ....

BTW, the fan belt (inner w. green accessory) is looking a little worn ..... not urgent, but keep a spare on hand.

skim

Haha.. funny memories, guys

It took me a few seconds to realize what had just happened. Thanks for all the info and advice!
I'd be sure to try to pull it out and keep all dangling parts as far away as possible from now on!

hkspwrsche

Since no one was injured I must admit that I laughed out loud when I read this title.

NC TRACKRAT

Good lesson to all us "wrenches" out there. Glad that strap broke. Minutia: In 1927, the famous ballet dancer Isadora Duncan was strangled to death when her long scarf got entangled in the rear wheel of an Alfa roadster in which she was riding.

IainM

Bravo for coming clean.
We've all learnt this way.

BesideTheBox

Glad you didn't get hurt and that the hoodie strap -broke-!
Whew!