Community Forums

jtdiscovery · 04-16-2020, 11:52 AM

I'm getting mixed opinions about changing the belts on my 2008 discovery. I know there is an access hole that you can raise the bed and take the cover off and get to the engine but there is no way you could see or change the belt from there without removing the closet floor which mine sure does not appear to be removable. I'm just wondering if it would be a really stupid idea to figure out a way to remove the floor anyway and make this rig something less than a total nightmare to replace a belt, water pump or belt tensioner. I am a big believer in doing preventative maintenance rather than doing it on the side of the interstate ,but it's such a huge undertaking on this rig that it would sure make a person just keep putting it off till later. If anyone out there has the same thoughts or opinions or advice please chime in.

96 Wideglide · 04-16-2020, 11:57 AM

Wouldn't you have decent access from underneath?

Rob_M · 04-16-2020, 12:04 PM

There is no provision for draining the coolant, taking a radiator hose off and swinging the radiator out of the way?

This scenario is exactly why I shopped around until I found a DP I could afford with a side radiator.

Old Scout · 04-16-2020, 12:25 PM

What Rob said--rear radiator DPs [not all] are notorious for making even routine maintenance a chore......

powerboatr · 04-16-2020, 01:41 PM

changed my belt this past winter, plenty of room once i wiggled up in the spot, used a ratchet strap to hold the tensioner all the way back to make threading the new belt easier

the belt number is for an epa 07 ISC in a f/l chassis

asuperheat · 04-16-2020, 06:25 PM

I changed one on my 2014 excursion last year because a rock got in there and damaged it. It was difficult to say the least. I must say it was the hardest belt I ever changed. It was on a ISB and just had no room to work with. I now have a ISL and there is definitely more room on this one.

I think It took me about a hour and a half to get it out and about a hour and half to get it back on, Hardest part was blindly removing and reinstalling the fan clutch bracket at the very end of my reach. Did all the work from underneath.

TXiceman · 04-16-2020, 06:42 PM

That is the one reason, I will never own a rear radiator unit.

Ken

jtdiscovery · 04-17-2020, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerboatr

changed my belt this past winter, plenty of room once i wiggled up in the spot, used a ratchet strap to hold the tensioner all the way back to make threading the new belt easier

the belt number is for an epa 07 ISC in a f/l chassis

My coach is a 2008 discovery with a 6.7 cummins. Do you think it has enough room to do it from the bottom ? It is a 39R model.

asuperheat · 04-20-2020, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

That is the one reason, I will never own a rear radiator unit.

Ken

I still bought a rear radiator unit and I have had to do a belt, How many times would anyone have to replace the belt during ownership of any one RV? Side radiators can have their issues also. The floor plan and overall chassis are more important to me than radiator location. I also had issues with my Aqua hot on the Tour. Does not mean I would not buy another because it had a Aqua hot.

For instance I would buy a RV with a 60 degree wheel cut and a rear radiator over a 55 degree wheel cut and side radiator but that's me I guess. Besides there is more room on this one and it would be easier than the last.

Rob_M · 04-20-2020, 07:23 PM

I don’t think anybody meant to offend you for owning one with a rear radiator.
Because I will probably do ALL the mechanical stuff on mine, I made sure it had a side radiator. There’s a lot more to access than belts back there…I can get to the a/c compressor, alternator, water pump, idler pulleys , front seals etc etc. much easier.
I don’t even know what degrees my steering turns to. I know it steers fine though LOL