Can I drive a very short distance without the Serpentine Belt?

It snapped on the third floor of the parking garage. I have no tools or space or even a new belt to try and replace it myself.

I want to get it towed out of the garage so I can either get it to my mechanic or get it home.
However a tow-truck can't get to my car on the third floor of the worst designed parking garage in Maryland.

I just need to get it out.

Get the fan clutch tool. And change it on the spot yourself.
Dont drive it

IMO I don't think you would have a problems doing so, although I don't recommend it. If you decide to go for it, make sure there is little to none parking traffic so you do it quicker. You don't want to overheat an engine that heats up really fast, even with a serpentine belt.

Pump up your muscles. You'll have no power steering... going down those curves and it is REALLY HEAVY

Don't do it. Change it on the spot. It doesn't require many tools or much space at all.

Put key in and use ebrake to get it down from garage. Or change on spot do not drive unless you don't mind your car overheating

NO!

Originally Posted by MercForHire

Get the fan clutch tool. And change it on the spot yourself.
Dont drive it

It would be wonderful to get a tool but I have no means to get anywhere. That is why I want it towed. I don't have friends.

A manual makes this job whole a lot easier.
sigh...

Lust, you have an automatic? Hard to tell.

Anyway...for grins, beg in the regional forum...might find a fanatic willing to do it.

That said, don't assume the belt is the only problem. It might have snapped from age alone and be the only issue...but it might have ripped apart because one of the pulleys is seized.

You'd be driving a short distance, so you know, without cooling and without Power steering...and without an alternator.

The cooling is what will hurt you...the alt will stop you.

Remove the remnants of the belt, monitor the temp and don't let it get to warm even, if you can avoid it.

If you're careful, I give you 'my' permission to drive down the three levels of parking garage...and then turn it off immediately. You don't have any cooling at all...so that's the danger. You've got a minute, as the coolant isn't circulating, the temp on the gauge is not reflective of the real temp in the engine.

Very short drive...use engine braking to go down so fuel is cut off in cylinders...and heat won't build up so fast.

I think you can make it...but don't hate me if you don't!

You know, you could start it and turn it off while you're rolling down hill, though you wouldn't have power brakes--they'll work...but be very hard to operate.

I don't see that you have a choice, to risk this (not huge) or leave car, get tools/parts, and fix yourself there in garage in a few minutes.

Check your pulleys, lust. Spin them. If they spin like a skateboard wheel, they're bad (that's for the two tensioner pulleys and idler pulley).

Ask in regional, though...someone should be able to rescue you!

I agree with doing it yourself, quick easy job. As long as the tow is free I guess that makes sense though.

Lust, no friends? I find that hard to believe!

Get to regional and make friends...say something really sweet to your local bros and sis's...bet you get help! (Maybe robbed too! )

Originally Posted by Lusticles

It would be wonderful to get a tool but I have no means to get anywhere. That is why I want it towed. I don't have friends.

So you can afford a tow truck but not a cab? I'm confused

Originally Posted by Viktimize

So you can afford a tow truck but not a cab? I'm confused

I pay for triple A, I can have it towed without paying for the tow to a shop or my home within 100 miles.

I mean obviously I pay for AAA, but that is just one of the bills I pay. I can call them and get it towed. I just don't want it in this garage.

get it towed. without water pump the engine will heat up almost instantly.

Originally Posted by jasonbimmer

get it towed. without water pump the engine will heat up almost instantly.

I want it towed but on the third floor of this garage I can't. If I could get it to the bottom floor, or out I could have it towed.

That is why I'm asking. I mean if I can push it I'll get another person but that will be a feat with this garage.

Can you get someone to pull you out with a rope? Do you still have the screw-in towing eye?

Originally Posted by Lusticles

I want it towed but on the third floor of this garage I can't. If I could get it to the bottom floor, or out I could have it towed.

That is why I'm asking. I mean if I can push it I'll get another person but that will be a feat with this garage.

maybe 1 -3 min will be fine but I wouldnt risk it. go grab the tools and do it there.

I don't think you will make it out of the garage without the water pump going.
There must be someone you can pay to do an on-site repair. Alternately, with enough manpower, you can push it out to the tow truck.

Originally Posted by joegr

I don't think you will make it out of the garage without the water pump going.
There must be someone you can pay to do an on-site repair. Alternately, with enough manpower, you can push it out to the tow truck.

I was just gonna post this. Locate and Indy shop that works on BMW's and ask if they'll make a house call for this. Don't drive the car unless you feel like replacing the engine is an acceptable risk.

Somebody already mentioned the godawful heavy steering with no PS. Don't forget you'll also have no vacuum boost on the brakes. Once you get it rolling down the ramp, it's going to be VERY HARD TO TURN AND STOP.