It started off simple enough — a large white bonneted prime mover booked in for a regular service at Webbie’s Mechanical. Nothing unusual. But as the customer handed over the keys, they casually mentioned something the driver had reported earlier: “They said it was making a weird engine noise… but now no one can hear it.”
That’s the kind of line that’ll raise an eyebrow in any workshop.
We got the truck inside, tilted the bonnet — and found the problem straight away. The fan belt had snapped clean off and wrapped itself around the fan. But that wasn’t even the worst part.
The loose belt had struck the radiator with enough force to punch a hole right through it. Coolant had completely drained out, and the engine was bone dry. What the customer thought was a minor noise had very nearly become a catastrophic failure.
Under the hood, steam was still rising from the block, and the coolant reservoir looked like a fishbowl in a drought — absolutely empty.
We immediately checked the engine for signs of damage. With no coolant and the potential for overheating, we had to be sure. Thankfully, the engine had managed to escape major harm. A close call, but one we caught just in time.
From there, we replaced the radiator, installed a new set of belts and hoses, and completed the rest of the scheduled service. Once everything was torqued down, topped up, and ticked off, the truck fired up beautifully — cool, clean, and quiet.
Another job sorted, another truck saved from the brink — and one more reminder that even a “small noise” is worth checking out.
The Takeaway?
If something sounds off — even if it goes away — don’t ignore it. These machines have a way of warning us before things go boom. And when you bring it to us, we’ll make sure it’s not just fixed — but fixed properly.
Need your truck looked at, even if you’re “not sure it’s anything”?
Come see us. You’d rather be safe than steaming.
