Broken Belt Tensionser

[michaelRitz]

Just curious to see if any one else has broken their belt tensioner for the serpentine belt? Friday night I was on my way to Cecil County Dragway for the Grudge Match Night. Turned onto Pa 372 off of PA 74 and got on it a little, didnt think much of it. I then try to steer and it is hard as heck to steer go for brakes not much for stopping there either. Temp is climbing, ok belt came off, get to bottom of hill and get into a parking area. I check it out, the belt off, which I thought, a little more investgation revealed the belt tensioner is broken the spring end which bolts to the block is there with half the arm the other half of the arm and pulley are gone. How in the hell does a belt tensioner arm break right in half??? Called a buddy who has access to a rollback through work , he came a got me and Hanover Dodge will have one Tuesday for $225, will try to get warranty out of this. If not I guess I cannot do without it.



Truck: 2005 3500 QC NV5600 11,800 miles, bought the truck new Dec. 23, 2004



Anybody else ever have this happen? I kind of think the extra power couldnt possibly break this part, I think it was **** poor manufacturing, possible crack in the forged arm or something. I roughly have 600hp/ 1100ft/lb on the ground. Any comments or anybody else have this trouble I am just curious to know.

 

[JHardwick]

I have a pet-peeve about fraudulent warranty claims. However, I don't see how a modified engine has anything to do with a most likey porous aluminum casting.



Too bad you don't have the other piece ... ..... make sure you get to see the broken half left on the truck.



Depending on your dealer, they may deny it anyway since it's modified, but for 2 hondo, you can't afford to fight it.



Most dealers would honor the warranty if they felt they were being delt straight, I'd imagine.

 

[jjack]

I have had it happen before. The way it happens is the belt breaks first then as it wraps up the tensioner is what takes the abuse and is the weakest part in the front. The tensioner broke as a result of the belt breaking and wrapping up on it.

 

[DPashko]

mine and my friends both broke on out 03's within a week of each others, both had about 200 000km on our trucks. but only the spring broke on ours so it was making a raquet slapping around while truck was running. cant see the power having much to do with it, probably a weak casting.

 

[ENafziger]

My vacuum pump that operates the Jacobs exhaust brake locked up and caused the serpentine belt to brake. When the belt broke, the tensioner pulley snapped, flew through the front, broke the fan shroud, and made a couple indentions on the back of the radiator.



My '06 had 35,760 miles on it when it happened... everything was fixed under warranty. --Eric

 

[michaelRitz]

Guess what, this past Friday I broke my second belt tensioner arm in one weeks' time. What gives, this past Friday I did make it to Cecil to try out Drag racing for the First time, What a blast 15s and 103 mph was my best time not to shabby for a first timer and a 6 speed I guess with 35s and 3. 73s. Anyhow on my 4th run the belt tensioner arm broke about 2/3s the way down the track, what gives ? Is something wrong I am not seeing, There are plenty of trucks with a lot more power than I have. Are help , experiences, are greatly appreciated.

 

[CSilkowski]

I've never had one go out, but I bought a spare from Cummins for $75 and keep it with me for emergencies. Cheap insurance. Dealers want over $200 for these things.

 

[michaelRitz]

I just found out as well that the belt tensioner assembly is much cheaper from Cummins, Heck I will have to buy Stock in Belt Tensioners when in One Week my truck snapped 2 of the Cast Aluminum arm like nothing