Belt tensioner

[William Walter]

Two years ago I had belt tensioner and belt changed by a mechanic and yesterday both went on my 480 ce.I ordered new from seaboard and am awaiting parts . I should have gotten way more life out of those parts but as you can see in picture it cracked and pulley was seized.Not sure the sequence of events but suspect roller seized causing belt to snap casting.Is there anything to watch for when installing the new parts.would like to get more life out of the new parts.I ordered extra tensioner to have in my parts kit.Of course it went while offshore.

Topic

[Francis Valerio]

I had a similar failure on a ZF Hurth mounting bracket. That looks like a casting issue. Probably just a freak thing but it could have been costly… (over heat, or even worse in bad weather and seas…)

It really dont matter now but if you look at the “break” closely you can look for a discoloration that is not clean like the rest of the break. If there is a noticeable area than that is prob the case. Def a unique failure.

Good luck with the new one.

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William Walter

[William Walter]

Tensioner

Ok all set now .Never changed a tensioner so I was afraid to spring it too far and damage it after seeing the other one crack.put an extension handle on my ratchet and all went well.Thanks again Bill

[Rob Schepis]

William Walter wrote:

Any tips on installing belt after tensioner put back. I loosened alternator but still not enough play to get belt back on. Thanks Bill

No ….. the tensioner is called a tensioner because that is what it is —- it is spring loaded. Put the alternator back where it was and use a square drive in the hole on the tensioner to back off the tensioner so you can slip on the belt. See my attached pic.

Here’s a YT clip, this guy is freaky but the info and demo’s are good:
https://youtu.be/xQ1udKJ-x6o

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Tony Athens

[William Walter]

Installing belt

Any tips on installing belt after tensioner put back. I loosened alternator but still not enough play to get belt back on. Thanks Bill

[Tony Athens]

A very odd failure–Never seen that, ever………………….Look closely over the casting to see where it was made–it’s definitely genuine, but Cummins has them made in multiple places and has more than one vendor for them.. Originally, most all said DAYCO on them “someplace”..

You might remove the pulley and save it..

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William Walter

[William Walter]

Hey Rob hope alls well with you.Yes all up front spinning well and feel tight.Was a big mess to clean but never got over 190 on temp. I haven’t changed those parts yet as last time I had a mechanic do it so I was wondering about the belt tension. In the past I always adjusted with alternator bracket on my gas engines.Failed at Cerberus shoal. Long ride back..Bill

[Rob Schepis]

With the belt off does everything else on the front of the engine spin free and sound smooth, quiet and normal?

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William Walter

[Author]

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