Hey all, it looks like my water pump went out and took the serpentine belt with it. Is it safe to drive three miles to the shop? I did a search and saw they are run without the belt for a bit during service sometimes, but never saw a thread mention if it was safe to drive.

Or does having a bad water pump make the belt a moot point? I figured nothing was happening with the pump because it isn't spinning.

1999 Carrera C2

 

If not sure about the pump being bad it is not hard to put another on first, if not an option and you start your car when it is cold and are watching the temp gauge that you do not over heat you can drive a bit. If concerned you can stop every mile and let cool down. The safest way of course is to have it towed. GL

 

i think your car will over heat before you reach the dealer. get it towed.

 

without the coolant circulating you could do some damage before you are notified by the cluster...best to flatbed it...very cheap insurance

 

Towing it is! Thanks everyone.

 

Update: car was towed and looked at. Water pump blew up. New pump and belt (and gaskets, hoses etc.) should be in tomorrow and will be installed by the weekend. Wahooo!

Now I just need to install the new plug wires for the Pantera and replace the battery in the Jetta...it never ends.