Hello there,

I have a 2003 mini cooper s. While driving on the road, I heard a really strong noise in the engine of something ripping off. I stopped right away and I saw that the Serpentine belt is completely gone; however, when that happened, my steering wheel got very strong and could not turn easily. I am not sure if that belt is connected somehow to my steering wheel or did the belt destroy something on the way out?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

When the belt goes....the alternator, water pump, supercharger and ac compressor all stop....
To extend driving range with a failed alternator, the PS pump is MADE to shutoff...but in the case of A busted belt.... No driving is possible...no water pump.

 

To Zippy's point, if you did not continue driving when the belt snapped, there probably isn't major damage to anything.

However, when the belt snaps on these cars, not only does the water pump stop spinning but it allows the tensioner pulley to grind against the crankshaft pulley, destroying both. The combination of overheating the engine and chewing up pulleys leads to some very heavy repair bills.