Serpentine belt replacement question

RonNBama · 12-13-2011, 06:26 PM

Cummins 8.3 in a '98. Is this a job that a fairly competent mechanic can undertake? Found the belt badly cracked and rushed the coach to Bankston since we are ready to head out on a long trip, I was afraid to start taking stuff apart. Got to wondering if it may be a do-it-yourself type project. Anyone replaced a belt on their own?

KIX · 12-13-2011, 06:39 PM

I've replaced the serpentine belt on my engine.........8.3 Cummins. The only tool you will need is a breaker bar to unload the tensioner to remove the old and install the new belt. My rig has the side radiator which allowed more room but it's not a difficult job.

jamesgr81 · 12-13-2011, 06:52 PM

It's not too difficult of a job.

Make sure you have the belt routing diagram available before you remove the old belt. If not make your own drawing. Take a close look how the belt goes around the pulleys.

Nothing worse then taking the old belt off and forgetting how the darn thing went around the pulleys when you try to put the new one on.

Stretch · 12-13-2011, 07:35 PM

One point to remember is that just because the rubber is cracked does not mean the belt needs to be replaced imedatitly. Lots of very strong wires embedded in the rubber that do the hard work. So dont panic.

BZam · 12-13-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesgr81

It's not too difficult of a job.

Make sure you have the belt routing diagram available before you remove the old belt. If not make your own drawing. Take a close look how the belt goes around the pulleys.

Nothing worse then taking the old belt off and forgetting how the darn thing went around the pulleys when you try to put the new one on.

I took several photos of mine some time back and now need to refresh my memory on where are those photos!!!!

lonestarace · 12-13-2011, 07:59 PM

What KIX said. Very easy to do.

Looked in my records, and back in 2 of 09 I replaced both the belt and the tensioner w/pulley on our DSDP C8.3.

Serpentine belt(napa#NBH 25-080635)-$50
Belt tensioner(napa#NBH 38513)-$100

Mr_D · 12-13-2011, 08:11 PM

I replaced both perfectly good belts about 6 years ago, put the "old" but still uncracked ones under the bed for spares. Took me longer to find my tools and select the correct sockets for the air con pump (separate V-belt) than to do the job. We have a side radiator so I had full access. I think it took less than 10 min. total.

Mike Canter · 12-13-2011, 08:33 PM

A good rule of thumb for serpentine drive belts is that if cracks are observed 3 mm (1/8 in) apart, all around the belt, the belt may be reaching the end of its serviceable life and should be considered a candidate for changing. Small cracks spaced at greater intervals should not be considered as indicative that the belt needs changing. However, the onset of cracking typically signals that the belt is only about halfway through its usable life

RonNBama · 12-13-2011, 09:06 PM

Ahhhh, that is good to know. I really didn't take time to look at what would have to be done when I found the worn belt. I thought the AC compressor belt had to come off (again, did not really look closely). My belt had some missing "chunks" and a lot of cracks.

The dealership pledged to get it done early tomorrow. I'll pick it up and undertake the job myself if they get swamped and cannot work on my coach. Can't expect to get pushed to the front of the line if others are waiting. So, I am happy to hear it is doable.

Mr_D · 12-13-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonNBama

I thought the AC compressor belt had to come off (again, did not really look closely).

On ours the air con belt does have to come off as the compressor is added by Spartan after the engine is in place.

Mike Canter · 12-14-2011, 07:18 AM

Yea, missing chunks is a good indicator that the belt needs changing. Carry that old belt with you as an emergency spare.

RonNBama · 12-14-2011, 04:48 PM

I didn't even ask for the old one, assuming they had already trashed it. Just wrote a check for $269.58 and drove away. The driving away adventure was when I discovered that one of the rear drag-link bushings was completely gone. Man, talk about an evil-handling coach!