Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Serpentine belt thrown off

[Gordon Maney]

I was driving at highway speed and noticed the check gauges light. Interesting, since I do look at my gauges often. The temperature was rising.

I pulled over, got out and looked, only to discover that the serpentine belt was off the pulleys, but not damaged. Antifreeze was dripping onto the ground, though not a great amount.

Apparently the belt was derailed somehow. I could not see why it would have come off. The idler seems fine, and I had replaced the bearing about 5000-6000 miles ago.

The wrecker driver suggested that this happens occasionally. A rock or stick is thrown up by traffic and gets in between the belt and a pulley, making it jump off.

Has anyone here heard of that or had reason to believe that it happened to them?

 

[JKloppe]

It has happened to me once in my 99. It was a snowing and 20 degrees out and I was in the BFE rabbit hunting/snowbashing. Luckily the belt was not gone and in ok shape, I got it back on with no ratchet!! Snow had packed up under and forced it off. Now I always keep an emergency bag with me with an extra belt and ratchet to get it back on.



Jordan

 

[PC12Driver]

If you're dripping antifreeze on the ground, I'd look at your water pump. If the bearings start to deteriorate, you'll start to get coolant out the weep hole on the pump. Since the pump pulley is smooth, I wouldn't think that it would take much angle for the belt to walk off once the bearings start to go.

 

[Gordon Maney]

I will look at the water pump. I did check it for looseness, and it seemed quite tight.

Where is the best place to get a pump, the typical auto parts store, or elsewhere?

 

[PC12Driver]

I got mine from the local Cummins shop, but you may want to give Hoesli Diesel a call. They usually have competitive prices on Cummins stuff.