Needs urgent help -Drive Belt (AC Compressor & power steering) of Beat

Hi friends.

I have just get the third service (paid) done on 23-09-11.  For which I had to drive 180 kms one way.  The journey was uneventful and I parked the car after reaching to home.  After 2-3 days when I took the car and drove for 200-300m I felt steering unusually hard. Somehow I manage to drive the car upto local garage. The mechanic found that the drive belt is missing.  I range up to the service station and they informed me that the ASC will remain closed for 02 days on account of Dussehra.  They told me that the drive belt is available in open market and I can take one from local Accessories shop.  I enquired the same from accessories shop and they want the exact part no. of the belt.  Then only they can provide the belt.  Can anybody help me in this regard?

I also want to know - what is the life of the drive belt? My car odo meter shows only 12000+ Kms. The ASC says that some rate must have cut it, otherwise the damage is impossible by normal wear and tear within this short period. Is it true?

Please help.

Any Beat owner or expert?

Service centre guy said - you can purchase any 1.4 or 1.6 Belt. It will work.  What does 1.4 or 1.6 mean? Is it length or something else?

Thanks.

He probably meant any 1.4 litre or 1.6 litre engine belt - call them up and confirm this.

However what is the "drive belt" being referred to? Is it related to power-steering? Does Beat have hydraulic PS? Do you have the original belt with you?

Yes, Beat has HPS.  In mannual, it has been termed as Drive Belt.  Mechanic says it - AC belt, because it also runs AC compressor.  It is made of some sort of rubber.  In mannual, it is nowhere written to replace it within 100000 kms or 10 years- only inspect.

This is the main problem that I don't have original one.  It fell down somewhere when it broke.  Now, I have realised why people go for Maruti Car-because the spares are easily available in open market.

The Service Centre is closed for long period on account of Dussehra Puja and my holidays is spoiling.

Any Beat owner can tell me the part no. by opening bonnet.  I think it is written on the belt - 6 to 7 digit number.

Oh I get it - there's probably one belt shared between the AC compressor and the PS pump. Scan the user manual once more - it may have some mention of what the belt should be. I don't know how feasible it is, but get the mechanic to try out a few belts to see which fits and works best. You can then take that belt to the shop and ask for a similar one...