Fan belt and being prepared

[VW_Jimbo]

So, last night, the wife and I went out to a party. Well, more of a gathering of friends and dinner, with a few cases of good beer. At around 10:00, I looked at the wife and said, "Lets go home. I want to see the ladies (my daughters) before they go out with their friends for the night." Plus, I was just tired.

We get in the Bug, and head towards home. Our house is less than a mile away. We leave the party and get in the Bug. As I approach the first stop sign, maybe a sixtenth of a mile, I allow the Bug up to rev up around 7500rpm, in first gear, because I am tired and lazy. When I release the gas pedal, the generator light comes on. I hear nothing odd. Seeing how I am in tune with this car. Everything is feeling good, no odd noises, but I am wondering, whats up? Why did the generator light come on? I tell the wife I am pulling over to have a look at the generator and belt, as those are my only two reasons for that light.

Well, I get to the curb. Turn off the engine, and walk to the back. Nothing smells hot, so all good. Open up the decklid and starring at me is an engine with no fan belt. Guessing that the belt was tossed because of a bad bearing, I test the generator by spinning it. All good. It feels good and sounds good. Started to look around for the belt. It was thrown off and landed on the top of the 3/4 cylinder side carburetor. Go figure.

So, I tell the wife it will be a minute or two while I get the belt back on, BECAUSE I DO NOT have a spare!!! Why do I not have a spare. I know better!!!
Not only do I not have a spare belt, I have no tools. None!!! All because I have not thought about it breaking down, since everything has been rebuilt or serviced over the last year plus.

Anyways, I root around in the trunk and found the lugnut wrench I purchased off Amazon, in its plastic packaging still. It has four different socket sizes on it - awesome. One of them was 3/4". It is not 19mm but close enough. Pulled the pulley nut and got the chewed up belt back on. Started up the car and drove home cautiously!!!

Got home and went to bed. This morning I opened the lid to have a look. Thats what got me home.

So, moral of the story. A VW Bug owner MUST ALWAYS have a spare belt in the trunk and tools to change it. I also got lucky and parked under a street light. So, got lucky again. Since there was no flashlight in the car. One will find its way into the glovebox.
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Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Starbucket]

I put a new belt on every year and put the old one which is still good in the trunk with my tool kit (I keep 2 old ones incase I see a VW on the side with a busted belt). I use the best belt for ACVWs the "Dayco Top Cog" 17355. The cogs on top allow for maximum rubber in the pully and keep the belt cool as it flexes easer. $12.50 last time.

[Glenn]

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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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[Tim Donahoe]

Your original VW tool kit came with a spare belt. There was a reason for this, so I always carry a spare and the tools to change it. Oddly enough, I haven’t had to (although I did, anyway) change my belt on my latest bug, so far. I suspect the belts must be superior to the originals.

I use Gates brand.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[74 Thing]

Dayco Top Cog or Gates for me.

[Cusser]

[AlmostHeavenWV_VW]

[STEAK_BUG72]

I have a spare with me always. It’s a smooth back not a cog back belt. Is that a really big deal? Having a spare belt is all I would need.
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OFY!!!

[Dwayne1m]

I carry many different spare parts in both mine Bugs and lots of tools. My weak link seems to be a flash light that I'm satisfied with. Seems that whenever I check them they don't work. Gotta find a remedy for that. I used to carry a 12v trouble light in my truck, but that was easy since the battery is under the hood.

[Tim Donahoe]

I have a very small, silver, flashlight. It’s oval shaped, about two inches long, and could fit on a keychain. Pressing the side illuminates a very bright light. It’s been in my car for five years and still works on the original coin battery.

I use it once in a while to search for stuff I’ve dropped on the Bug floor when it’s dark outside. The only issue I have is that it only stays on by pressing it, but for changing a belt without a helper to direct the light, all you need is a few look-see’s, anyway.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[gt1953]

Living in a small town and distances between them do carry a spare belt, and the needed tools to swap it out. On the type three well it will still cool.
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Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

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({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[lacolin]

I have a spare belt. I agree its a great thing to have.
Since nobody commented, can I assume 7500 rpm in 1st gear is normal for you guys??? If thats normal driving, I would carry three spare belts! My car won't even get past 5500.

colin

[bluebus86]

get more than the stock tool kit, spare fuses, wire, wire nuts, electrical tape, jug of drinking water. flares, plastic poncho and or tarp bright color reflector vest, spare tire filled to max pressure, pressure gage, points, cap, rotor, plugs, at least one longest spark plug wire, jumper cables, flash light check batteries often, at least 3 quart oil, gas can, rope, gloves, over all's or cardboard to lay on, piece of wood for jack base in soft soil, brake fluid, fuel hose, vacuum hose. bailing wire, respectable size fire extinguisher, first aid kit, space blanket. coins in the ash tray for phone calls now days have enough for a gallon of gas, paper, pencil (pens can dry out, leak) pocket knife ( can sharpen pencil) maps, spool of paper towels, medications if needed, small nap sack that can hold water jug and some supplies. In cold season carry spare warm jacket, hat, umbrella, etc.... in car as needed

Im old school, pre cell phone, we learnt to be prepared to handle emergencies on our own.

Bug On, Like a Boy Scout, Prepared!
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Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[bluebus86]

PS I cringed when I started to read the story, until you got to the part about pulling over immediately, Then I knew the Bug would be ok. I have read too many sad accounts of folks not pulling over when the light comes on.

Good Job, Bug On!
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[bluebus86]

[streetstock70]

got my belt replaced

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1970 Standard Beetle

[67rustavenger]

[EverettB]

I always have a couple spare fan belts, an accelerator cable, and a clutch cable but not always my "real" tools to change everything.

I do have the original tool kit though so technically I could use that for the belt, if needed.

I have had a belt go out while freeway driving my '55 a couple years ago.
I heard something weird, looked down at the speedo and saw the red light on.
Changed it on the side of the road, sort of a pain since it was like 105F out and the engine was HOT. I used my mechanics gloves as much as possible.

The belt on my '63 I changed before a long trip last year. (~1000 miles)
It didn't look that great and it was probably 10 years old so I figured why risk it.
I generally check the belt and a lot of other things out before any larger trip.
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[Glenn]