loosing power steering fluid

[Boxtaboy]

Normally, a new belt can last over 60k miles or 4 yrs (the recommended replacement schedule), but it is possible that one of the rollers that rolls the belt seized or became wobbly. If that happened, the belt might have slowly started to slip off, and when it slips off, it will stop powering all the other rollers which operate your power steering, A/C, alternator, and water pump. If you continue to drive the car, the car can get so overheated that you end up totally ruining your engine and will need a new one, so never continue driving the car next time you feel the loss of power steering and see the car starting to overheat.

Even if you have a brand new water pump in there, the water pump won't run without a belt turning it, and therefore your car will overheat.

[HB.]

Thanks a lot! You were right about the belt. I'm in the process of removing the old belt now. I've run into a bit of a speed bump, about 1 1/2 of the belt is wrapped behind one of the pulleys, and I'm having problems getting it off. I think if I can get a small sharp knife I should be able to cut it loose.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by HB.

Thanks a lot! You were right about the belt. I'm in the process of removing the old belt now. I've run into a bit of a speed bump, about 1 1/2 of the belt is wrapped behind one of the pulleys, and I'm having problems getting it off. I think if I can get a small sharp knife I should be able to cut it loose.

No problem. Note, however, that even if you buy a new belt to put in there (hopefully, you went to the dealer to get the right one), you still have to make sure that all the rollers and pulleys are rolling smoothly and not damaged, because if they are, that new belt will snap shortly after you put everything back and start the engine. If you have a bad pulley or roller, you'd obviously have to get those replaced too. Good luck.