Freightliner Vindicated

[chasfm11]

Ever since December, 2005 when I replaced the belts on my ISB, I've blamed Freightliner for creating the problems that I faced.
1. The A/C Compressor adjustment screw and block were placed in the wrong position - under the compressor.
2. The adjustment screw was damaged. The threads would not run through the block
3. The A/C belt that Freightliner showed for my engine would fit only when the adjustment block was in the wrong position. When I moved to block to correct side of the compressor and mounted it according to the technical diagram that Freightliner finally shared with me, the belt was 2 inches too short.
4. The recommended belt would not fit across the fan blades to install it. The only way that that belt could be installed was to first remove the fan. I'm not even sure how possible that is without removing the charge air cooler first.

I was convinced that Freightliner, during their assembly, had created all of the problems. Since I posted the information about my problems, I've been contacted by 10 other ISB owners with exactly the same set of problems. Recently, an ISC owner asked a similar A/C belt question on another forum. It turns out that he, too, had the exact set of symptoms including the damaged shaft - and his was a 2003 Monaco on a Roadmaster Chassis.

I can only conclude that Cummins, not Freightliner has caused this situation. Further, although Freightliner insists that Cummins is the supplier of the compressor and bracket, neither of them show up on the Cummins ISB parts list.

So.... ISB and ISC owners, you might want to be careful when you change your belts or, worse yet, pay someone else to change your belts. I suspect that this problem is reasonably widespread.

[chasfm11]

Ever since December, 2005 when I replaced the belts on my ISB, I've blamed Freightliner for creating the problems that I faced.
1. The A/C Compressor adjustment screw and block were placed in the wrong position - under the compressor.
2. The adjustment screw was damaged. The threads would not run through the block
3. The A/C belt that Freightliner showed for my engine would fit only when the adjustment block was in the wrong position. When I moved to block to correct side of the compressor and mounted it according to the technical diagram that Freightliner finally shared with me, the belt was 2 inches too short.
4. The recommended belt would not fit across the fan blades to install it. The only way that that belt could be installed was to first remove the fan. I'm not even sure how possible that is without removing the charge air cooler first.

I was convinced that Freightliner, during their assembly, had created all of the problems. Since I posted the information about my problems, I've been contacted by 10 other ISB owners with exactly the same set of problems. Recently, an ISC owner asked a similar A/C belt question on another forum. It turns out that he, too, had the exact set of symptoms including the damaged shaft - and his was a 2003 Monaco on a Roadmaster Chassis.

I can only conclude that Cummins, not Freightliner has caused this situation. Further, although Freightliner insists that Cummins is the supplier of the compressor and bracket, neither of them show up on the Cummins ISB parts list.

So.... ISB and ISC owners, you might want to be careful when you change your belts or, worse yet, pay someone else to change your belts. I suspect that this problem is reasonably widespread.

[Hooligan]

Charles:: It is Cummins...I have the Cummins custom parts book for my (ISB260)engine by Ser.#, and it shows the Compressor mounting in the backwards configuration. The mounting bolt for the adjusting rod goes through the bracket and the square block on the rod. Freightliner in the Parts-pro drawing and the rest of us have that bolt going from the bracket through the round end of the adjusting rod and the square block is mounted to the ear on the compressor..
The Cummins book shows only the bracket, the rod and the bolts for the freon compressor, and states also-- belt not provided, the pages before and after show the air compressor, it's plumbing, bracket and parts??

[Ecker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasfm11:

I can only conclude that Cummins, not Freightliner has caused this situation. Further, although Freightliner insists that Cummins is the supplier of the compressor and bracket, neither of them show up on the Cummins ISB parts list.

. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cummins ships what is called a bare engine to chassis builders. It has no oil and no accessories (fan, etc) unless specifically ordered differently. I have never seen an air conditioning compressor on one; I have seen an occassional builder have Cummins supply the air compressor. The chassis builders then send the engine down what is called a dress up line to add everything else.

[chasfm11]

Thanks, Ecker for the additional information. I'm still a bit puzzled, however. I realize that two different chassis shops (Roadmaster, Freightliner) might follow Cummins instructions to mis-mount the A/C compressor and end up with the same result. But, unless the adjustment screw shaft was damaged consistently by Cummins (or its sub supplier) it seems unlikely that two different chassis lines would do exactly the same damage during assembly. If not, that Quality Control for that part broke down for Cummins, Freightliner and Roadmaster regarding shipping and receiving them.

The real point behind my post was to make sure that ISB and ISC owners were aware of the potential problem. The curiosity in me wonders how many other similar situations occur. This cannot be just a fluke.