Belt Still Crawlin? Time For Sledge Hammer?

[Joe Mc]

Ready to loose it . . . desperate need HELP today



New belt (only took 4 hours to find one today) $31, new HD Idler pully from Practical Solutions $49 + next day ship $26, 45 minutes to R & R pully not even 5 minutes to install belt. Checked alignment very carefully. Had the wife start it and the belt immediately climbed 1 rib twoards the A/C compressor Loosened tensioner, replaced on A/C compressor, start up and immediately same thing 1 more time, this time I kept the ratchet on the tensioner and gave it some help, didn't matter same thing. The belt stayed the same on the remaining pullys all 3 times. Whereas when it did this on vacation and earlier this week it rolled on all of them



I'm not a rocket scientist, but something's out of line



What do you guys think. Or, is the tensioner itself bad?

Logic - Engine turns clockwise, 1st pully after crank is tensioner (new HD pully) the next one is the A/C compressor. Or, is the A/C compressor sitting a tad too far forward, causing belt to climb?



How to check pully alignment? Use straight edge method? Tried but due to differences in pully thickness doesn't seem possible or is it - can you? How?



Having a brew trying to cool off 88* & Humid - of course ready to rain any minute now



Joe "The Belt" Mc

 

[Thomas]

Joe,



I recall a recent (last three months?) thread that matches your scenario, including the destroyed belt after the iron pulley. I believe the problem was caused by a problem with the BRACKET that holds the pulley and was resolved by replacing the bracket. Perhaps a search or someone with a better memory than I can help.

 

[danandamy]

It's real common on the PSD's for the belt tensioner assembly itself to go bad and cause problems like this but I've never heard of it on a Cummins. What happens on the Fords is the spring loaded portion itself starts separating and this kicks the pulley out of alignment. This may not help, but it's something to look at. Since it worked fine before, I don't see how the AC compressor could be off unless you've removed it for something. I mean, it can't have moved forward by itself. Wish I could be more help but.....

 

[Thomas]

Here you go: http://128.242.249.86/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20540&highlight=tensioner

 

[Joe Mc]

Definitly the tensioner

Was really going nuts today (Sunday) got up @ 8 and couldn't get on TDR to see reply to my post Some problem with ???? Anyway, looked at things in a different light. Tensioner & new pully off engine. Placed a square on surface that mounts it to block and lined up with pully where belt rides. Measured with feeler gauge. Removed feeler gauge and placed between tensioner and mounting block on top of bolt/locating pin - Belt stays on now! Incredibly, . 030 made the difference - enough to keep me till the new tensioner arrives.



Anyone have a line on a better than factory aftermarket tensioner? Before I call the dealer tomorrow morning? I'm assuming the one I have (84k) is the factory one?



Thanks for your assistance.



The Belt