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Eric1959 · 01-18-2021, 07:21 AM

W22 Chassis, 2003 Class A Daymon Intruder 350 with the Chevy V8

As far as I know the belt has never been changed. I'm wondering if it's possible for me to change it, and if so, does anyone have info on how to do it? Video, manual or such? It's the big V8 btw, for get the size, 6.8???

Thanks!

Unplanned Tourist · 01-18-2021, 07:47 AM

It's an 8.1 engine. Pretty easy to change the belt. Just take note of how it is routed. Maybe draw a little picture before you take the old belt off.

yeloduster · 01-18-2021, 08:22 AM

Attached is a diagram of the belt routing for the 8.1L GM engine in your motorhome.

Note the red arrow. It is pointing to a spring loaded tensioner. To change the belt, familiarize yourself with the routing of the belt using the diagram as a reference. Once you have the routing established in your mind use a large screwdriver to pull the tensioner away from the belt and while holding the tensioner away remove the belt.

You will then have to work the belt over the fan to remove it. Put it back just as you took it off.

Not too hard.

jacwjames · 01-18-2021, 08:38 AM

Check to see if there is a square drive in the tensioner that you can use a ratchet or breaker bar on. It is easier to use this when taking tension off the belt.

Mudfrog · 01-18-2021, 11:40 AM

I replaced the serpentine belt on ours about 6 years ago. My memory is terrible so you might be correct,, but I was thinking a regular six point socket (don't remember the size) did the trick. Whichever it was, I do remember there wasn't much room to maneuver it when trying to unload tension.

I worked from both the top and bottom, mainly by feel. Reason for going underneath was to make sure the belt aligned with the crankshaft pulley.

Eric1959 · 01-19-2021, 05:25 AM

Thank you all for the input. Seems I'll have to do it all from under the engine as I can't even see the engine fan from the front engine hood. Taking doghouse cover off isn't much better. The diagram helps A LOT too, thanks for that.

Mudfrog · 01-19-2021, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric1959

Thank you all for the input. Seems I'll have to do it all from under the engine as I can't even see the engine fan from the front engine hood. Taking doghouse cover off isn't much better. The diagram helps A LOT too, thanks for that.

Again, my memory is terrible so don't quote me on this. I think you may have to go through the doghouse opening to get to the tension pulley. Plus, I'd want to see from the top, that the belt was riding on the viewable pulleys correctly.

Edited to add: Looking at yeloduster's diagram, it looks like it might be possible to get to the pulley from the bottom. I do remember coming in from the top on mine though.

yeloduster · 01-19-2021, 09:07 AM

I did mine last summer but my memory, although very good, is rather short so I don't recall all the specifics.

It is MUCH easier to release the tension on the idler from the bottom. For some reason I couldn't use a wrench on the bolt through the tensioner pulley. That is why I recommend some kind of pry bar. It worked well.

I think some of the threading of the new belt must be made from the top. You can neither reach nor see everything from the bottom.

This maintenance jog requires several round trips crawling under the motorhome, then crawling out and going into the motorhome to do things from the top.

A helper would be good! I ain't got one! So I make the round trips!

Switchflicke · 01-19-2021, 06:59 PM

When I did my belt replacement, I moved the tensioner from the bottom with a 'johnson bar' and took the whole belt off from the underside. You need to turn the fan blades as you take the belt from that pully.
When I installed the new one, I had a helper hold the belt in place on one of the pulleys from the top. It would slip off without the helper. I then routed the belt from the bottom. If I remember correctly I jammed the tensioner complete with the 'johnson bar' so the tensioner remained in the loosen position until I had the belt in place. Also, again if I remember, the belt was a bear to get in place under the tensioner until the majority of the belt was flat to the tensioner pully
Good luck
Stan

mcroadrunner · 01-19-2021, 08:49 PM

My 2007 voyage with 8.1 L workhorse w22 needed serpentine belt & tensioner change while on trip thru Badlands. Changed in campground. Put socket on tensioner center bolt with 3/8 ratchet, position handle straight down, then pull back & remove belt, release tension. Follow diagram above. Use clothes pin to hold belt on top pulleys (alternator & air conditioner pump). From bottom get on rest of the pulleys, pull tensioner & slide on. Verify on all positions, remove clothes pins, start engine briefly. Verify on all positions correctly, cleanup & put rest back together. Good luck & Happy trails!!!

Eric1959 · 01-20-2021, 05:29 AM

Once again, THANK YOU all.. Some how I look forward to doing this job.. I must not have had enough coffee to think straight lol.

Will order belt from Ultra RV Products.

Stay healthy all!

Mudfrog · 01-20-2021, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcroadrunner

My 2007 voyage with 8.1 L workhorse w22 needed serpentine belt & tensioner change while on trip thru Badlands. Changed in campground. Put socket on tensioner center bolt with 3/8 ratchet, position handle straight down, then pull back & remove belt, release tension. Follow diagram above. Use clothes pin to hold belt on top pulleys (alternator & air conditioner pump). From bottom get on rest of the pulleys, pull tensioner & slide on. Verify on all positions, remove clothes pins, start engine briefly. Verify on all positions correctly, cleanup & put rest back together. Good luck & Happy trails!!!

Good suggestion on using the clothespins! I'll probably be by myself when replacing next time so ought to make things easier. I will also see about releasing tension from the bottom since I do remember there not being much room to maneuver that last time.

Dunnpe · 01-22-2021, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric1959

W22 Chassis, 2003 Class A Daymon Intruder 350 with the Chevy V8

As far as I know the belt has never been changed. I'm wondering if it's possible for me to change it, and if so, does anyone have info on how to do it? Video, manual or such? It's the big V8 btw, for get the size, 6.8???

Thanks!

I changed out the tensioner bearing at the same time.