Any mechanically minded people out there?

spot66, Aug 27, 6:27am
Have just brought a car a week ago - 2000 commodore. Have been driving it around today and everything was going well - until 2 k's from home. It started making a banging, clunking kinda noise that i could hear with my drivers window down. It started doing it only when i was excellerating. After a minute it started doing it even on small excelleration. Then i went to do a u turn (was too busy stressing about car and missed turn off) and it died on me.

I tried turning it on again but it just wouldn't turn over. So i walked home and texted my partner to tell him car was dead. Not happy :(

We have just moved to Aussie so don't know anyone here to help or offer advice. The car appeared to be getting a little hot - was just over half way on the temp meter. I also noticed a smell like overheated rubber when i got out of the car.

attitudedesignz, Aug 27, 6:35am
Kinda sounds like maybe water pump pulley has failed and thrown drive belt off.

Will find a pic'.

mugenb20b, Aug 27, 6:36am
Cool story.but there's so many things that could have failed.that we can only guess what went wrong.

But, by the sounds of it, you had a flat tyre and then you overheated the engine. This is just a guess of course. And I really hope you checked oil and water levels before you drove the car away.

spot66, Aug 27, 6:44am
Not a cool story :( i'm meant to start a placement for my degree here in two weeks and unless this is fixable i'm not sure how i will be getting there!
I have to wait two more hours for my partner to get home until we can go and give the car a tow home and pop the bonnet and have a look. Not sure if you can tow a car if you can't turn it on and use the power steering and brakes!
It's hard to explain the noise. Was kinda like timing was really out, but motor was still going and not missing, just a horrible noise out the driverside window. Only been in the country since Friday night so this sucks :(

dave653, Aug 27, 6:45am
Just replaced the belt tensioner and belt on our VN. Cost $79 to replace, (I fitted them). Made a noise, eventually went bang(ish) smelt rubber, temp went up.

attitudedesignz, Aug 27, 6:46am
Sounds like overheated. Check belt and water pump pulley.

As above, maybe tensioner also.

attitudedesignz, Aug 27, 6:48am
Also, hearing it out drivers window doesn't indicate where noise is coming from. You heard it there because that's where you were listening from.-
.if that makes sense LOL.

spot66, Aug 27, 6:49am
thanks guys, i have tried looking online for mobile mechanics in the area but the closest are almost an hour away, might have to organise getting car towed to a garage in town here as i need this going in two weeks or i'm screwed.

incar., Aug 27, 7:03am
where in oz are you!