Community Forums

frank J P · 07-19-2015, 11:20 AM

I was changing the oil on my ISB 5.9 the other day and was checking the serpentine belt. How would you change the belt? It has rear radiators and there doesn't seem to be room to get at the belt.

gripper · 07-19-2015, 11:26 AM

I have a Fleetwood DP and I have to pull up the bedroom closet floor (it's designed that way), to get to the engine and S - Belt. I let a Catipillar shop do it once and it cost me $900. Mostly labor charges.

kidoo · 09-18-2015, 04:10 PM

Hi, a little late, I just did mine, 5.9, 2003, rear rad. Lucky, my rad was out, but it should not be too hard.
I had to remove my air cond. belt first. Loosen the adjuster and pull it off. If you want to replace it, you have to pass it around each fan blade, if it does not work, cut it and replace it with a 42 inch belt that should pass the fan blade.

Take a picture or draw a plan on how it goes around the pullies. Then, using a 1/2 inch end bar, rotate the tensionner anticlocwise and remove belt. To re-install, I had to loosen the upper alternator bolt and remove the lower bolt, this way there is more room to work the new belt on. Make sure all the rib are well in place.

Monacoach · 09-18-2015, 05:26 PM

From the bottom it will seem impossible but stick with it..... it can be done. On our rig I had a helper hold the tensioner all the way open and using the awning hook I was able to just get the belt onto the edge of the last pulley. Turned the ignition key slightly to get the belt on fully.

FleetMan · 09-18-2015, 06:50 PM

We had ours done by the Kenworth Truck Repair Shop in Bowling Green, KY. The tech did all the work from underneath. It took him just under four hours from start to finish. The bulk of the work was removing and reinstalling the air cleaner, ducting, muffler, tail pipe and air cooler hoses. Not overly difficult but very work intensive and time consuming.

kidoo · 09-19-2015, 10:05 AM

Four hour!! I do not know why they removed air cleaner, muffler, air cooler hose, I really cannot see why, unless this is a very different set up then mine.

Acutally, if you really have trouble removing the belt, and if your intercooler is monted on top of the big rad, it would be easier to remove the intercooler, 3 bolts, 2 duct clamp, pull up and remove from the back.

jondrew55 · 09-19-2015, 10:30 AM

For a few hundred thousand dollars more I could have gotten a DP with a side radiator. I need to calculate how many fan belt replacements that covers.

Skip426 · 09-19-2015, 10:35 AM

[QUOTE=kidoo;2750575]Four hour!! I do not know why they removed air cleaner, muffler, air cooler hose, I really cannot see why, unless this is a very different set up then mine.QUOTE]

kidoo; every chassis manufacture will mount components differently, then every coach builder gets in on top of what the chassis maker has done and with little or NO THOUGHT about access for maintenance, completes the coach. As computer CAD programs have evolved the problem has just gotten worse, the designers know a part will fit, but it's up to the mechanic or owner to figure out how to replace it.

Eagles16 · 09-19-2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gripper

I have a Fleetwood DP and I have to pull up the bedroom closet floor (it's designed that way), to get to the engine and S - Belt. I let a Catipillar shop do it once and it cost me $900. Mostly labor charges.

Just had to replace tensioner pulley, serpentine belt and AC belt on 330 ISC rear rad. Shop charged me $316.00 which included parts labour and taxes.
Highly recommend this shop.
Turbo Diesel & Electric
Miller Trunk Highway
Duluth MN.
The owner (Jim Keiper) did the job himself and billed me for 1 hour labour. He accessed the engine from both the top and from underneath.
Very happy with the service and price.