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Idler pulley, hoses and water pump

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03 5.9 Smoking from oil fill cap.

2003 long cranking time before starting.

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Alan Reagan

TDR MEMBER
At 150,000 on the clock, I decided it was time to do the full maintenance on the cooling system.



I changed the water pump and hoses plus the thermostat. I couldn't immediately get my hands on a tensioner pulley so I ordered one. The next morning on the way to the parts store, the truck started having what I thought was belt squeak.



I checked the belt allignment and all was well so I figured with the anti-freeze drip with the water pump change that it would stop. Turns out, by the time I got back to the house, it was chirping pretty good.



It was the idler pulley. I changed it as planned and that stopped the chirping/squeaking.



One thing is for sure, that pulley will be an addition to my truck box of stuff.



I was happy to see when I pulled the OEM pulley that it was a Dayco which is the same one Advance Auto Parts sold me.



I just did the belt a few months back so I'll wait a while on it.
 
Just changed the belt on my 03 at 209K a week before I traded it in. WHile laying under the truck as Will fished the belt down from above, i felt a bit of play in the power steering pulley. The tensioner was fine though. BTW, I put the old belt under the seat as an emergency spare for the next driver.

Ken
 
Keep in mind there are two "idler" pulleys... one on the tensioner, the other is fixed to the block. The tensioner pulley is readily available, I didn't see a source for the other. Not to mention the fan support bearing.

I pulled the seal on the upper one (all it takes is a dental pick), and found it almost dry of grease at 200k... I added grease using a hypodermic grease needle. I didn't have really good grease at the time, but anything was better than nothing.
 
Idler Pulley

Item # 10

Cummins Part # 4946708

Over the counter price is $32. 81





Fan Hub Bearing

Item # 5

Cummins Part # 3910739

Over the counter price is $175. 23



My counter men have added a note in the computer regarding this bearing.



"CAN USE NSK 8D35-12DU8A BEARING, MUCH CHEAPER. "



We have been here before. :cool:
 
Last edited:
Steved and mwilson,



Good posts and thanks. I was only talking about the tensioner. Wasn't thinking about the upper one.



Thanks for the part numbers MWilson.



The upper one should be fun to change.



Have a good day, guys.
 
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