What is the top-most pulley for???

[Cattletrkr]

Is it just an idler? I'm having a hard time telling with a quick glance. I think mine is squeaking... a lot. I can't tell for sure, it might be the water pump making the noise and not that top pulley. The first replacement water pump lasted three months and this one has been in for just over 3 months so I suppose it's about time.

 

[klenger]

Tensioner? http://www.klenger.net/misc/Dodge_Serpentine_Belt.pdf

 

[Cattletrkr]

I believe it's #3 in that diagram. Any description for the #'s? I'm going out in a minute, I'll check for sure which one it is.

 

[formula]

1- alternator

2- water pump

3- idler

4- power steering pump

5- fan

6- crankshaft

7- tensioner

8- a/c compressor



The locations and sizes of the pulleys in the diagram are a bit off.



Fig 24 (with vacuum pump) looks much better although it has no numbers.

 

[formula]

If it is the water pump..... 3 months is way to short a time for it to fail. Did it come with any kind of warranty? What flavor is it?

 

[Cattletrkr]

If it is the water pump..... 3 months is way to short a time for it to fail. Did it come with any kind of warranty? What flavor is it?

First one (factory) made it ~184K. The one that replaced it lasted 3 months. Now, if it is the water pump it'll be just over 3 months by a couple days. I'm leaning towards the idler because I have no seepage from the pump yet and it's been making noise for a couple weeks on and off.

I don't know the brand, I get them at Bumper to Bumper. Lifetime warranty. The one that is in the truck I had to buy "on the road" for an emergency fix. I exchanged the crapped out one for a new one and now I carry a spare.

The cost doesn't bother me nearly as much as the PITA factor.