Broken Serpentine Belt! NO Power Steering!!

[srbigbutt]

My wife's 2004 4Runner had the Serpentine belt break yesterday. Luckily it was right around the house and she was able to get back home fine.

So I got home and replaced the belt with a new gatorback belt. Job wasn't that hard. Hardest thing was getting those darn plastic rivets off the fan housing. After I finished i noticed that the power steering wasn't working to well and thought that it just may be low on fluid. So I added more and it seems to leak straight out at the pump. So now it has no power steering.

Am I going to have to replace the pump or do you guys have any suggestions.

Thanks,

 

[drmorbius]

Did you find the old belt? Any puddles? Wondering if the belt cut something in the power steering.

 

[srbigbutt]

I did find most of the belt. It pretty much wrapped around the water pump and the Power steering pump. I got it all out, but I guess it could have cut something in the power steering. I will have to check.

 

[jharris2]

Be aware of this thread regarding Gatorback belts. Sure hope you have better luck with the one you installed.

 

[srbigbutt]

I checked today and it doesn't seem to have cut any of the lines. As soon as I put power steering liquid in it just starts to drip out right at the pump. I can 100% tell where its coming from but it looks to be coming out right at the pulley.

 

[drmorbius]

I checked today and it doesn't seem to have cut any of the lines. As soon as I put power steering liquid in it just starts to drip out right at the pump. I can 100% tell where its coming from but it looks to be coming out right at the pulley.

There is a plastic reservoir atop the pump. Any chance the belt slapped it hard enough to crack it at its base? Also does the pulley turn freely on the pump?

 

[JP4RNR]

It could be possible that the failure of the belt was due to the power steering pump? Could it be possible that the pump seized temporarily snapping the belt?

 

[srbigbutt]

There is a plastic reservoir atop the pump. Any chance the belt slapped it hard enough to crack it at its base? Also does the pulley turn freely on the pump?

I didn't see a plastic reservoir atop the pump. and it still doesn't seem to be coming out of the lines. It seems like its coming out of the pump. How much do you think the dealer would charge to repair/replace it?

 

[drmorbius]

I didn't see a plastic reservoir atop the pump. and it still doesn't seem to be coming out of the lines. It seems like its coming out of the pump. How much do you think the dealer would charge to repair/replace it?

Unknown. You didn't say if the pump turns freely.

 

[srbigbutt]

Yes the pump turns freely.

 

[drmorbius]

Yes the pump turns freely.

Maybe it's just a seal behind the pulley. Do you have a trusted mechanic? Taking it to the dealer could be needlessly expensive as R&R on a power steering pump should be pretty easy for any mechanic.

 

[srbigbutt]

Maybe it's just a seal behind the pulley. Do you have a trusted mechanic? Taking it to the dealer could be needlessly expensive as R&R on a power steering pump should be pretty easy for any mechanic.

Do you think trying something like Lucas Oil Power Steering Stop Leak would be worth a try?

 

[JP4RNR]

Do you think trying something like Lucas Oil Power Steering Stop Leak would be worth a try?

Absolutely not. I would not use any stop leak product as it may comprimise other seals in the steering system and possibly void any warranty if applicable.

Stop leak works by causing the rubber in the shrunken seals to swell to stop the leak and is only a temporary band aid solution. If a seal is cracked stop leak does not do much good anyway.

Get the pump repaired properly so the rest of your system like the power steering rack does not get damaged like the rack seals

 

[Methodical]

how many miles on the belt?

 

[drmorbius]

Absolutely not. I would not use any stop leak product as it may comprimise other seals in the steering system and possibly void any warranty if applicable.

Stop leak works by causing the rubber in the shrunken seals to swell to stop the leak and is only a temporary band aid solution. If a seal is cracked stop leak does not do much good anyway.

Get the pump repaired properly so the rest of your system like the power steering rack does not get damaged like the rack seals

X2

 

[srbigbutt]

I talked to a mechanic and he thinks it possibly the seal behind the pulley as well since the old belt wrapped around it. It could have damaged it. He's going to look at it tomorrow.

 

[drmorbius]

I talked to a mechanic and he thinks it possibly the seal behind the pulley as well since the old belt wrapped around it. It could have damaged it. He's going to look at it tomorrow.

There might even be a piece stuck in the seal. The fix might be to just pull it out. Anyway good luck and please let us know what was found to be the problem.

 

[srbigbutt]

Well my buddy came over this weekend and i definately need to replace the pump. So he is guessing the pump failed which caused the belt to break. I will have it replaced this week.

 

[srbigbutt]

I replaced the pump today and all is well again. Thanks for all the help.

 

[jharris2]

I replaced the pump today and all is well again. Thanks for all the help.

Glad to hear it! Thanks for letting us know.