I now know what was making the noise when the engine was cold. I had to go for my bi-monthly Doc appointment in Petersburg which is a 300 mile round trip. Made it there no problem.
However the return trip wasn't as uneventful. I was about 2/3 of the way back on Rt58 in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. No warning noises first and I didn't have the radio on to mask any scary sounds. I pulled over within about 20 seconds to the first safe place on the shoulder. As soon as I got the car pulled off the Temp gauge maxed and the warning beeps went off. At 60 mph there was enough air blowing through I guess. I shut it off right away and the fans ran about a minute and shut off. The radiator hoses swelled up briefly and went back down. After 2 minutes I was able to open the overflow cap with no big pressure release so hopefully it didn't get to overheated. No water in the oil etc.
What happened?
The serpentine belt had gotten thrown off. I checked the belt tensioner and it has about 1/4" play in the bearing. I am sure this must have been the source of most if not all the weird noises when it was cold.
I have no cell phone so it was an hour before a trucker stopped and called a roll back for me and another hour before I was home with the car in the driveway. Now I have to order a belt and tensioner and have no car in the meantime.

A real fun end to a rainy day (not).

And tips to replacing this tensioner?


Dave

 

Been there done that! Suggest you replace it all.

Link JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

Yep, new belt and tensioner is in its near future. Looks like just the one bolt holding it in. Guess I should replace the bottom pulley also though it has no noticeable play...


Dave

 

Dave, Bad luck and I know it was expensive to get the car back. If the tensioner bearing for the serpentine belt is all, they are easy enough if you have a long breaker bar. I think Gus has a replacement DIY on that.
Did it destroy anything when it came off? Lots of times it will break a plastic fan or bracket to something, check it out.
It does sound like you got it stopped in time, and now you know what the noise was.


Wayne

 

Well, I'd also recommend that you get a cell phone. You can get one here for such emergencies for as little as $5 a month.
No Contract Cell Phone Plans from Pure TalkUSA

 

While there was still some light I just checked under the hood some more. Both fans still have 4 intact blades and turn fine.
It did lose some coolant and I know not where as nothing is wet. I took the overflow cap off again and there is only about 1/2" of coolant in there. Now I have to figure out what kind it is and top it off.
Now for the sort of funny part - I tried wiggling the plastic tensioner pulley again and it came apart in my hand. It had been spinning on a totally froze up bearing. Its in about 6 pieces now. And this thing made no noise before it ejected the belt. The belt had fallen down and seems to have not hurt anything. It almost looks like you can use a stationary idler for the bottom and use it to replace the one on the spring tensioner. They seem to be the same... Hmmm. If that works thats $31 vs more than $100.



Dave

 

I used to keep one of those old Motorola Brick analog cell phones in my cars until they stopped supporting them.

I haven't had a cell phone in about 10 years now. Never needed one with the Alfa. Guess it should be standard equipment on a Jag.


Dave

 

I keep a tracfone. $10 a month for 50 min. contract, actually they add 100. I now have 1400 min. as they accumulate. Cheap insurance.

 

Does any one know if part number C2C22758 is the right part # for replacing just the idler and bearing so you don't have to buy then entire unit? Some places are listing that same number for both the stationary idler and the idler part of the spring loaded tensioner. I just want to make sure before I order 2 of them.

Dave

 

Sorry fellas I got my stuff from AutoZone.. Still in the car and working well..

 

Neither of mine have lips and the belt looks new so somewhere along its life they've been changed before.
I am hoping the stationary is the same as the one mounted on the spring loaded one as the the rest of the tensioner is likely just fine and will save lots of bucks if I can get away with that and a new belt.



Dave

 

Check out the video on my page to see what was going on.

 

Thats the same noise I had when it was 20 ish degrees. Also had a noise like a power steering pump low on fluid when cold.
Its nice and quiet now with no belt. I started it for about 15 seconds to see if the engine seemed ok.



Dave

 

All you had to do is ask!

 

Dave, just checked and Advance has them listed for $19.99, Dayton, same as a Honda in some applications.


Wayne

 

For the belt or the tensioner?


Dave

 

Yep, a breakdown, an accident, a medical issue, someone else in an accident, a UFO, you just never know when you might need to contact someone right away.

 

Dave, at least I hope the weather has broke and you'll be able to get outside to work on it! Sorry to hear your misfortune and good luck with part sourcing / repair.

 

Dave, the tensioners at Advance $19.99, the belt at Gates Micro-V AT K070922 - OEM Quality Serpentine Belt | O'Reilly Auto Parts
They may have the tensioners also, didn't check, they do match price here, if the same part.
Advance and Auto zone were high on the belt and I know you need good parts at the best deal.
SNG may be better prices with our discount. Call them, they are very helpful and fast.


Wayne

 

My biggest problem now is that I have no way to go get any parts as the Jag is my only car. Thats why I was going to order online and wait for it to get delivered. I also don't have any metric wrenches or long breaker bars. I do have metric socket sets so I can hopefully get the old parts off with that.



Dave