Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) belt tensioner

[3grumpy]

I have a 2002 2500 w/Cummins stock except for 4 in exh. I have 86000 miles on it. i bought a boonie box from Geno's and have used the belt and hoses. How often should the tensioner pully be changed and how is it done?

Thanks for a great forum. Lots of information. Thanks again Chuck

 

[Dfuruness]

Just inspect the belt once in a while and if it shows signs of wear then replace. I have been replacing mine on both trucks about every three years. The tensioner pulley is a simple bolt off and bolt on. If I remember correctly there are two bolts. You will see when you remove the belt.

 

[PC12Driver]

One bolt holds the tensioner arm on the engine (center of the tensioner pivot point). Once that's off you can remove the pulley from the arm (a torx head bolt, I think). And when you put the arm back on the engine, there's a locator pin, so it will only go on one way (and torque the bolt to 30 ft/lbs). There isn't a torque spec for the pulley bolt, since Cummins considers the whole assembly as a replacement item.



I just replaced my pulley at 125k miles, and it didn't feel worn at all. But I'm sure that varies with the truck's living conditions.

 

[DPrew]

A good rule is to change the belt tensioner every time you change the belt. My belt tensioner failed at about 140K right after a new belt was put on. I learned this rule the hard way!