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AConstable · 11-02-2024, 04:31 PM

Hi. I'm new to the forum, but I thought this might be the place to run a problem I have had with my 2011 Newmar Dutch star 4324. I have lost 7 drive belts since 2019. In November of 2019, I lost the first drive belt 20 miles (approx) out of Indio on I-10 East. Replaced the belt by a mobile mechanic and continued to Tucson. Didn't drive much in 2020. In July of 2021 I lost the drive belt heading south on Highway 101 just past the grade coming down the hill as your turn onto the straight away. Two months later, lost the drive belt again, about 50 yards further south from the place It broke in July. All good until July of 2022, and the belt went on I-5 south bound near exit 198. after fixing it, I then had an EGR coolant valve leak that flooded my crankcase filter, but that's another story. In August of 2022, I lost the belt on I-70 near Green River Utah, and had to replace the fan drive shaft, the drive shaft brackett. However, the drive shaft fan belt did not break. In September, 2022 after fixing a leaking airbag, a mile from my house, the drive belt broke and kind of melted on the pulleys. Cleaned all the pulleys, replaced the tensioner and idler pulley. In November of 2023, the drive belt broke again, 20 miles outside of Indio, in the same place as in 2019. I lost a belt in Ohio in May of 2024, and again in October of 2024 on north I-5 coming down the grapevine. In most cases , I have been under a load, either coming up (mostly) or going down a grade. I carry belts with me. Have called Cummins and they don't have any ideas. Anyone? Angela

Argosy · 11-02-2024, 05:01 PM

Do you look at the belt in between failures? That often there should be wear after a few hundred miles. Have you looked at the failed belts for a consistent failure point?

I'd replace the tensioner, not just the pulley. They're not that expensive or hard to change. When you have the belt off turn every accessory that drives from the belt. They shouldn't be overly stiff, they should be quiet and smooth.

PKI · 11-02-2024, 05:20 PM

We had a Ford Taurus that broke a belt headed into Southern California - Riverside. A year later the belt broke again in almost the same location. The Ford dealership replaced the idler pully and that problem went away.

Multiple failures are not a normal event. Something is wrong with the drive pulley contact areas, or one of the accessories being driven by the belt. A melted belt would indicate something stopped the belt.

In any case, a deep dive into the belt system and accessories seems appropriate.

Believe a fella reported finding a crushed pebble imbedded in his failed belt. You might looks at that possibility. Especially if off-road driving is part of your use profile.

Good luck with your investigation.

SafariBen · 11-02-2024, 05:31 PM

Are these gates or similar quality belts? what number? Is this the same belt breaking each time? You mentioned the fan drive, is this a side radiator with a shaft drive fan? multi v serpentine belt, or V belt?

Gates or similar manufacturers should have a troubleshooting section of their catalog, that is the best checklist of what to look for with repeated failures.

Cudntherd · 11-02-2024, 05:50 PM

Does your belt drive your A/C Compressor? I have lost two belts one it June 2016 and the latest on 16 Oct 2024. Both times the compressor seized up although we were not using the A/C. We have a 6.7 Cummins

wolfe10 · 11-02-2024, 05:53 PM

With that many belt failures, I would sure look CLOSELY at pulley alignment.

Rusty Kramer · 11-02-2024, 09:16 PM

I would spend the money for a remote camera in the engine bay to observe the belt while traveling. Something is wrong for sure.

Turbojack · 11-02-2024, 09:42 PM

When the engine is running with a new belt does the new tensioner bounce or stay steady?

jacwjames · 11-02-2024, 10:08 PM

Something is definitely wrong.

I've changed my belt 3 times in ~75K miles as a preventative measure.

Last year I changed my idler pulley, while watching it run I thought it was bouncing more then I had remembered but after changing it looked about the same.

My guess is you've got an alignment issue and/or a bearing going bad in an idler pulley.

Jzack · 11-03-2024, 01:02 PM

A clue is when it sort of melted on the pulleys. Something is getting hot and seizing up.

I've heard of alternators doing this. By the time you get back there to check, it has cooled down and spins freely again.

d23haynes57 · 11-03-2024, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jzack

A clue is when it sort of melted on the pulleys. Something is getting hot and seizing up.

I've heard of alternators doing this. By the time you get back there to check, it has cooled down and spins freely again.

Alternators can create excessive belt load due to being overloaded or even an internal electrical fault. The torque required to turn it is directly proportional to power it is trying to produce.

AConstable · 11-03-2024, 03:57 PM

yes, I have inspected the belts that I have been able to find. Usually looks almost straight cut with a 1-2 inch split. I have cleaned the pulleys and looked on the retrieved belts for stones, unusual damage.

AConstable · 11-03-2024, 04:00 PM

I have been considering replacing the alternator and the ac compressor. This is a side radiator. Your idea about the alternator carries some weight as it seems the engine is always under heavy load when this happens.

wolfe10 · 11-03-2024, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AConstable

Your idea about the alternator carries some weight as it seems the engine is always under heavy load when this happens.

Heavy engine load should be unrelated (other than engine RPM) to alternator/A/C issues).

As already posted, verify that the belt is not "jumping"= loading/unloading and that all pulleys are in alignment. Certainly before just replacing components that may be OK.