PS belt just came off.

[Hocus]

I did a search and got some of my questions answered, but not one specific question.

My Power steering / A/C belt came off. It didn't snap, it just came off. From what i've read, this is probably the harmonic balancer right? There hasn't been too much of a squeaking noise, so i don't think the Harmonic balancer is that far gone.

My question is....Is it bad to continue driving for a few days until i get a new UDP? What's the worst case scenario if i keep driving it? I really need my car for my job.

 

[Defiant]

You're playing Russian roulette with 2 chambers filled. Oh, and it's a 5-shot revolver. It's possible for shrapnel from a thrown and jammed belt to snag the timing belt, etc.
Worst part, if it is the dampener, is that going easy on it really has no effect on the liklihood of it tossing a belt. Lack of noise doesn't mean much.

 

[Hocus]

You said "if it is the dampener." Could it be something else? What should i check for?

 

[Hocus]

anybody? I need my car up and running asap, and i don't wanna buy a new pulley if it could possibly be something else. Any ideas are appreciated =)

 

[Defiant]

Check for a bent pulley, but not likely if the engine's not been worked on or had someone in there to bend one.

 

[leet]

I REALLY wouldn't drive that car until you find the problem.

 

[Hocus]

Thanks for the input guys,
I took off my belts, and grabbed the A/C pulley at the bottom and shook it, and there is a little play in it. I grabbed and shook the crank pulley and there is no play. Is there a chance that my crank pulley is good and my A/C pulley bad?

 

[Defiant]

Well, it CAN be, but it's not likely. You'd not be able to move a bad crank pully by hand.... unless it was _really_ bad.

 

[95 esi 90 AWD]

The same belt on my 95 kept poppin off my car like 3 times. Each time it was the tensioner so I finally just bought a new one.