Power steering belt broke

[BHSmout]

Hi All,

Its absolutely frigid here on the prairies. I warmed up my 1990 V6 Camry and headed out. Hmmm, the steering is really frozen up, I thought. I checked the power steering fluid level and it was ok. I got home and found a broken belt in my parking spot.

Will I damage the vehicle if I drive the car until I can get it to the tech?
Other than heavy steering there seems to be no other problem.

Thanks,

Brian

[disregard]

I dont think you will do any damage with having a broken belt. But isnt that the really tiny belt thats impossible to get to ?

[toyomoho]

Should be OK without PS.

Bring the old belt with you when you get a replacement to compare.

Make sure it was worn belt and not a frozen PS pump.

[BHSmout]

Thanks for the tips. I'll bring the belt with me to the shop. I hope it was a worn belt but I have had a "burnt rubber" smell coming from under the hood for about a week now. Maybe the PS pump has packed it in and that's why the belt broke.
Wait and see I guess.

[new echo owner]

If you are going to operate the vehicle without the power steering belt, you might want to suck out some of the P/S fluid, otherwise, the fluid might get push back into the reservoir when you turn the rack, and overflow.

N.E.O.

[fredk]

run atf in it, ps oil is pretty thick when its cold

[disregard]

Originally Posted by fredk

run atf in it, ps oil is pretty thick when its cold

Which would explain the loud whining noises the PS pump makes when the engine is started cold.

On very cold mornings I mean

[Jimnist]

It makes that whining noise if the fluid is low, regardless of fluid type. It could also be it slipping when cold?

[disregard]

yeah on very cold starts like under 30Farenhiet it slips for the first 2 minutes after that its fine. Fluid is full but its got the thick stuff in it, regular power steering fluid, not ATF.I think it should be running ATF.