Community Forums

rattletrap · 08-13-2022, 04:54 PM

Just arrived at 100,000 miles. A wonderful trip!
I have made many improvements myself and had some done in the shop. I have tools.You tube is really helpful for many projects.
Going to change out the 10 spark plugs myself. Clean and reuse the coils (boots). Shop quoted $700.00 plus just for labor alone.
Also time to change the serpentine belt. I have the replacement belt Ford says is correct. Not sure how to approach the belt. Hope I don't have to remove the Radiator

Any reference, advice or better video on these projects will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

TeJay · 08-13-2022, 06:25 PM

RT,

Took the RV to CANADA fishing and with 46,000 miles I decided to get a new serpentine belt just in case. Finding the correct belt can be a real issue. With some luck my lowest pully stopped with the original belts number visible for me to copy. Went to the dealer and got a replacement.

That's is the absolute best way to assure you'll have the correct belt. In reality the FORD parts guy who first looked up my replacement had the incorrect belt listed.

My belt number was very clean and easy to read even after 45,000 miles so you might get lucky. Even if you can only read part of the number that might help. That's also why you need to get it from a FORD dealer. They can read the numbers better than most generic parts houses. If you know how to read the numbers sometimes it will tell you exactly how long the belt should be in inches.

I have a tool kit that has all the fittings to R&R one of those belts. Not a bad investment. If you're lucky you can change it at home. If on the road you'll be stuck. With the correct tools it's not too difficult to change.

There's always a diagram and it's easy to see how the belt goes. The back side runs against a smooth pully and the ribbed side runs against a ribbed pully. An extra hand will help for sure.

dabrooks · 08-13-2022, 06:57 PM

I did a serpentine belt replacement at about 90 000 miles. I could easily read the numbers on the old belt. I also changed both idler pulleys and the tensioner pulley. I did it all from the top side with the doghouse removed. We have a 2013 35QBA. I kept all the old parts for spares. Make sure you have you vin# when you go to the dealer.

HarryStone · 08-13-2022, 10:21 PM

It's all done from the bottom. Take your time, and take pics of the routing if you are not sure.

rattletrap · 08-15-2022, 07:00 PM

Thanks to those who read my thread. I found much information when I entered a search. Should have in the first place. Love this web site.

kwftlaud · 08-15-2022, 08:45 PM

i just changed my belt on my 2001 v-10.
it was easy to do from underneath.

I too replaced my idler and tensioner pully at the same time as my engine has 80,000 miles on it and it is 22 years old.

the pully's were cheap, $12 each on amazon. Easy to change, and kept the old ones for spares ( appeared fine ).

Getting the new belt on was a small challenge. Best to thread it thru the space by the tensioner to get around the AC compressor. Once this is in place, routing the belt is pretty straight forward. Only thing I had to remove was the plastic shield on the bottom of the engine to give me access to the belt. I was able to use a standard 1/2 inch breaker bar to relieve the tension on the belt.

Doing this job in the driveway when its cool makes sense so you can take your time doing it. Keep the old belt as a spare.

kip

mr.tommy · 08-16-2022, 08:49 AM

• Picture of routing the belt is on the front of the air filter housing
Installing a new belt is easy
• From underneath the coach, using a breaker bar inserted into the tensioner, release tension and remove old belt. The tensioner is about half way up in the front of the engine
• Have dog house cover removed
• From under the coach, feed belt up to another person to wrap around top pulley, then from underneath route belt around other pullies. Top can be done by one person but much easier with a 2nd person up top
• To get belt on the bottom last pully, once again use the breaker bar on the tensioner to release belt tension and pop the new belt on the last pully

gatorb8 · 08-16-2022, 10:48 AM

when I did mine I think a 1/2” drive breaker bar with extension was useful in moving the belt tensioner to get the last loop of the belt on. I used some pvc pipe as a breaker bar exrension.