Drive Belt question

[MHowell]

Forgive me for this easy question. It's raining cats and dogs here and I've already taken the ride of shame to work with my wife.



I started the truck today and heard a loud "flapping" noise. Turned off the car and opened the hood. There is a thin belt, broken and all rapped up in the fan. The main drive belt is intact.



My question is, what is this other belt? Is it some kind of emergency belt for when the drive belt breaks that just powers the alternator and water pump or something? I forgot to bring my manual to work so I could look it up.



Or, is this some other belt that is much more important??

 

[JHardwick]

That "emergency" belt is a divorced member of your "main" drive belt.

 

[MHowell]

Hmmm, really?

I thought of that when I first saw it, but the main belt didn't look frayed or anything when I glanced in there. I'll check again when i get home and it isn't pouring rain.

 

[MHowell]

There are no other accessory belts or anything?

The only belt on the engine is the drive/serpentine belt?

 

[GaryOwen]

Just one belt.

 

[MHowell]

Dang, I was worried about that. Well, I guess I'll pull the shard of belt that is wrapped around the fan shaft off and limp it somewhere to get a new belt.

 

[WCPoe]

Just my 2 cents but keep an extra belt and an extra pulley tensioner in your truck. When my belt let go it took the plastic tensioner pulley out as well. The belt can usually be found most anywhere but the tensioner pulley isn't widely available. Geno's garage has both reasonably priced.



The pulley link DAYCO 89094 - TENSIONER PULLEY ('03-'09 5. 9L & 6. 7L) DODGE-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage



Genos carries three replacement belts, (Mopar, Gates and Dayco), take your pick.

 

[absocountry2]

Check the idler pulley

My belt was breaking because the idler pulley on top behind the upper radiator hose started to come loose. Be sure to check it, I have seen a couple other posts on that recently. My first belt broke the tensioner arm. Get it from Cummins $85, Schucks $181, NAPA $190.