Engine Belt

[RWherley]

For some reason I cant seem to get a engine belt to last for then a year about 15k to 20k miles, they don't brake, or tear up but they start to squeal and the noise keeps getting louder and louder. I've tried Dayco Poly Cog Gold, and Poly Rib Gold with about the same results. Any one else have this issue?

 

[Simplysmn]

idler pulley bad maybe ?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Check the various hub, water pump, PS, AC bearings. Also the belt tensioner could be marginal in tension or the pulley could be worn.

 

[mwilson]

I am finding that the Cummins tensioner is the only way to go. Was in a bind a year ago (didn't have the Cummins version on hand) and put a Carquest tensioner on the '97. This summer the little occasional chirp returned. Worse now.

There is a brand new Cummins one on my desk right now waiting to be installed by me. I am pondering ordering the Cummins belt as well.

I think that the fan drive system is best serviced using the Cummins parts.

Seth has been through this as well. His '97 would throw the belt off using an aftermarket tensioner. Installed the Cummins version and that was the end of the issue.

JMHO....as always.

Mike.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I;ve got to agree with mwilson on the Cummins tenisoner. If you look at the Cummins tensioner pully you will notice that it is slightly raised in the center. This helps to keep the belt running true. I tried a Gates tensioner and it lasted one day - started a constent squeel - so I put the old Cummins one back on, problem solved.

Bob

 

[RWherley]

I can put new belt on it will be fine for another year or so, but ill look into a new tensioner, as for bearings the water pump is brand new and I've checked out all the other bearings and hubs and they all seem ok.

 

[mwilson]

The location of the pin that positions the tensioner is very important, I wonder if the aftermarket figures "Close Enough" for several variations and offers one tensioner for those variations.

I suspect that this is the case......

Mike.