Overheated? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1987SierraClassic · 01-31-2005, 12:05 AM

Driving home tonight the belt tensioner pulley on my 89 Suburban decided it didn't want to be there anymore. I noticed the steering got a little heavy and the volts went to nothing and figured out quickly that this was "Bad". I managed to nurse the ol' girl home without the temp needle touching into the red zone, but it got really close a couple of times. I tried to watch it really close and drove about 4 miles before I got home...

I'm hoping I didn't damage anything. Will a healthy 350 take that abuse for such a short time? I was really easy on it while nursing it home. Also, changing the tensioner looks pretty straightforward. Any tricks to changing the tensioner? I've never done one and I know there is a lot of tension on the spring.

I'll be severely bummin' if I broke it!

**old Rusty C10** · 01-31-2005, 11:32 AM

ive never done this job on a burn or pickup but ive done it on some smaller GM cars and its pretty easy. i think i got the last one at napa for about $60.
If you didnt get the thing into the red zone id say your motor should be ok. you can pull the dipstick and check the oil level and make sure that ya didnt blow a head gasket but like i said if ya didnt get it to the red zone you should be fine... just dont make a habit out of it lol

1987SierraClassic · 02-01-2005, 12:08 PM

I think she'll be okay. I put the belt tensioner on yesterday ($48 from GM) and fired it up and it ran great. The only thing I noticed was that the thermostat opens really late during warmup, but other than that it holds temperature. I think the 20° air temperature helped a lot.

I don't plan to make a habit out of it! LOL

A Suburban with 33" rubber is hard to steer with no power steering!

Thanks for the info!

01-31-2005, 12:05 AM	#1
1987SierraClassic Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Buxton, ME Posts: 91	Overheated? Driving home tonight the belt tensioner pulley on my 89 Suburban decided it didn't want to be there anymore. I noticed the steering got a little heavy and the volts went to nothing and figured out quickly that this was "Bad". I managed to nurse the ol' girl home without the temp needle touching into the red zone, but it got really close a couple of times. I tried to watch it really close and drove about 4 miles before I got home... I'm hoping I didn't damage anything. Will a healthy 350 take that abuse for such a short time? I was really easy on it while nursing it home. Also, changing the tensioner looks pretty straightforward. Any tricks to changing the tensioner? I've never done one and I know there is a lot of tension on the spring. I'll be severely bummin' if I broke it!

01-31-2005, 11:32 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	ive never done this job on a burn or pickup but ive done it on some smaller GM cars and its pretty easy. i think i got the last one at napa for about $60. If you didnt get the thing into the red zone id say your motor should be ok. you can pull the dipstick and check the oil level and make sure that ya didnt blow a head gasket but like i said if ya didnt get it to the red zone you should be fine... just dont make a habit out of it lol __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

02-01-2005, 12:08 PM	#3
1987SierraClassic Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Buxton, ME Posts: 91	I think she'll be okay. I put the belt tensioner on yesterday ($48 from GM) and fired it up and it ran great. The only thing I noticed was that the thermostat opens really late during warmup, but other than that it holds temperature. I think the 20° air temperature helped a lot. I don't plan to make a habit out of it! LOL A Suburban with 33" rubber is hard to steer with no power steering! Thanks for the info!



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