Hi

Well yet again, I am stranded in France because of my freebie 1.

I've had a look under the bonnet and the PAS and Alternator belts have snapped whilst on the motorway (both were ok prior to my drive here so one probably took out the other...). Its sunday and in France, virtually nothing is open on a sunday. There are no car garages, halfords type shops etc open until at least tomorrow.

My freebie is a 2001 1.8 petrol k series.

Probably a stupid question but is there anything I can do to jerry-rig the alternator belt to turn (the old pair of tights for example) until I can get to a garage? I dont care about the PAS as I can live without it, but I need the alternator to keep the battery charged for powering lights etc at night.

Also, for when I do get to a garage, is it a standard belt, or a particular one for each?

Sorry for all the questions, I just dont want my car to die...

Thanks

Ian

Do you have breakdown cover?
I would think they would know a source for a belt even on a Sunday.......
Some petrol garages here have the orange emergency belts?
Good luck

I used one of the orange emergency belts on a car many years ago. It only got me about 1/2 a mile as it melted and frayed.
I ended up asking the female I was giving a lift if she could take off her tights so I could use it and it worked.
It got me over 75 miles.

it has been known for an alternator belt to disrupt the timing belt, so a careful examination is vital before starting up!

Sorry for the delayed response, internet is sparse where I am.

I had a look under the bonnet in daylight and the alternator belt had only half snapped so half of it was still on and turning as it should. The PAS belt is definitely gone though. I thought about the orange emergency belts but none of the garages I've stopped at have had any. Most had never even heard of them...

Everything is open tomorrow so I will get it to a local Landy garage and get them to fit both for me.

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it.

Ian