Hank MI
Brighton, Michigan
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Joined: 10/18/2010
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One belt can last 60,000 miles and another only 5,000. If it looks bad replace it but your best bet is to carry a spare and the tools needed to replace it.
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Jerry B
Lake of the Ozarks
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Joined: 06/11/2001
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I had all five belts replaced on an old Ford Van. 150 miles later, the small air pump belt came off and destroyed the other four belts. So, new belts can leave you along the road side also.
Jerry B
1996 Dolphin 535,F-53.
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MoRambler
Springfield, Missouri
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Joined: 07/16/2002
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Also, remember that a belt is like a fuse in an electrical system. The belt is the weakest link in the system, and "typically" a belt "failure" is due to a component in the belt drive system that fails. For example, idler pulleys in serpentine drives are the culprit. So remember, if you have a belt failure, check the belt. If it looks like it's been burned in two, you have a component failure, which caused the belt to fail.
Many times, a person will replace a belt, only to have it "fail" again in a very short time due to the fact that one of the system components was locked up, and not a belt "failure" at all. So anytime that you replace a belt that has failed, check all the pulleys in the drive to make sure they spin freely so you won't ruin a new belt.
Larry & Ann w/Lucy the cocker
'00 Mountain Aire 350 Cummins/Spartan
Toad: '05 Jeep Liberty Ltd.
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weathershak
Delaware
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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My 2002 Workhorse belt is advertised to be good for 150'000 miles. It would make sense on something being driven 40'000 + miles per year. At 25'000 miles, My belt looked fine but was noisy on cold start up. I changed it.
Don't like the view?? Then change it and Go Camping    Our pics
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donsuefuggrwe
myrtle point ,or 97458
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Joined: 09/07/2003
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Anyone have the sequence (how to) for changing both belts on a Cat 3126 rear radiator? I have done them once at 60 thousand and it took two of us six hours. Obvious that we didn't know exactly how to do it. I have the belt diagram from Freightliner. How long did it take you?
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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The process is the same side vs rear radiator-- the difference is that you can see what you are doing a LOT easier with the side radiator.
The automatic belt tensioner has a square hole in it. Insert your rachet handle (no socket) in the hole and release belt tension. Slip the belt off the alternator and fan hub pulley and then off the crankshaft. Slip the old belt over the fan blades. Slip new belt over fan blades, then crankshaft, then other pulleys. Use your rachet to detension the belt tensioner and slip the belt over it. Check that the belt is properly located in each pulley-- if not, partially detension the tensioner and remedy.
And when replacing that belt, remember that you have a separate Caterpillar belt that runs only the water pump and is inside (toward the engine) from the serpentine belt. A good idea to replace it at the same time. It does not have an automatic tensioner, but does have the square hole that accepts a rachet (or more easily a short extension). There is a bolt in the adjustable part of the tensioner that needs to be loosened. There is a bolt for the pivot for the tensioner that needs to be PARTIALLY loosened.
Water pump belt is a Caterpillar part. Serpentine belt is chosen by your chassis maker (i.e. Freightliner) as they choose and install the alternator and A/C compressor.
* This post was
edited 11/23/10 10:00am by wolfe10 *
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
FMCA Forum: www.community.fmca.com/index
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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TropicalRV
La Crosse, WI, USA
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Joined: 11/12/2001
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If you carry a spare belt, does it deteriorate due to ozone and heat?
Paul
2001 Tropi-Cal 6350, Ford V-10, 310HP, 7.77 MPG
2002 Honda CRV 2WD, 27 MPG
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wolfe10
Texas
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TropicalRV wrote:If you carry a spare belt, does it deteriorate due to ozone and heat?
Depends on where you store it. Yes, it does deteriorate, but not nearly as quickly as the one living in the engine room and working for a living.
As many of us have posted, it makes sense for two reasons to replace the old belt now and use the old one for a spare:
1. You KNOW you have the proper belt-- won't find out it is two inches short when broken down on the side of the road.
2. Lessens the chance of the belt breaking.
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dezertcamper
San Diego
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Joined: 03/26/2009
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Your serpentine belt should last a long time. My suggestion on a RV that only gets driven a handful of times a year. Check it once a year or at every oil change. If you are planning a long trip add checking the belt to your check list.
If you are needing to replace a water pump, alt, ac compressor. This would be the time to replace the serpentine belt as you will have to remove the belt anyways. And for those who have not changed or replaced on on you gas engine class A, well they are a PITA!
My 2003 Southwind had around 8,500 miles on it last summer and the day we were leaving for the river I had my alternator fail. Even though I only had 8,500 miles on the RV I changed the belt because I was already there and pulling the original off.
BTW if you need a alternator for a 8.1, most parts shops dont list Workhorse and only certain Chevy dealers carry Workhorse parts. The alt for the Workhorse 8.1 has a Workhorse PN# and cost a fortune. AC Delco makes a 200 amp alt that you can buy at the dealer for $400+. Or you can do what I did and research that the mid 2000's Chevy Suburban 2500 series could be ordered with the 8.1 and they came with the 200 amp alt. Then go to Napa and have them look up 2004 2500 Suburban. You will see it is the same alt that is in the Workhorse 8.1. Napa # NNE 1N4812HO. I got a brand new (Not reman) alt for $260 with a Napa warranty and in stock. Both certified Workhorse and Chevy dealers were needing to order the Alt as they dont stock 200 amp alts.
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