Strange pieces

This topic has 8 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 3 years ago by Rob Schepis.

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July 16, 2020 at 9:54 am #100936

Graeme Walker
Participant
Vessel Name: A-MA-YI
Engines: Twin Cummins 6BTA 330hp
Location: Newmarket
Country: Canada

Last year I noticed these small pieces of ‘plastic’ under the front of the starboard engine, 1999 Cummins 6bta 5.9l 330hp. Nothing like this under the port engine.

Port – #45766133
Starboard – #45764308

I cleaned them up and put in new absorbent pads and had new belts installed. I now see more pieces, the mechanic I use doesn’t know what they are. About to head out on an 8 week vacation and would like to know if this is critical. Any ideas?

Graeme
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July 23, 2020 at 4:09 am #101229

Rob Schepis
Forum Moderator
Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA

Right you were confusing tensioner vs idler. Tensioner is replaced with new, not just a new shim. It’s not expensive nor difficult. Idler pulley upgrade is something else worth searching on the website and forums here.

July 22, 2020 at 3:12 pm #101212

Graeme Walker
Participant
Vessel Name: A-MA-YI
Engines: Twin Cummins 6BTA 330hp
Location: Newmarket
Country: Canada

I think I’m confusing SB updated idler pulley with the belt tensioner. Will order shortly.

July 21, 2020 at 8:41 am #101150

Graeme Walker
Participant
Vessel Name: A-MA-YI
Engines: Twin Cummins 6BTA 330hp
Location: Newmarket
Country: Canada

Cummins parts dept is telling me I can’t just order the shim but rather have to order the entire belt tensioner, is that correct? Do you sell just the shim? I know you have an updated tensioner but I believe my engine is of a vintage that this wasn’t a problem. I have the metal belt cover. Thanks.

July 16, 2020 at 5:40 pm #100967

Rob Schepis
Forum Moderator
Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA

One less thing to think about when you’re traveling. Other than the belt guard removal it’s literally only one bolt.

July 16, 2020 at 4:33 pm #100964

Graeme Walker
Participant
Vessel Name: A-MA-YI
Engines: Twin Cummins 6BTA 330hp
Location: Newmarket
Country: Canada

Thanks, I’ll request the mechanic to replace them asap so we can get on our vacation.

July 16, 2020 at 2:26 pm #100949

Rob Schepis
Forum Moderator
Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA

Anything upfront that runs or turns on the belts needs to be considered critical because if you throw that serp belt you’re in an overheat situation. IMO, way too easy of a fix to not get it done right away. But could it last hundreds more running hours? It might….. your call.

July 16, 2020 at 1:21 pm #100948

Graeme Walker
Participant
Vessel Name: A-MA-YI
Engines: Twin Cummins 6BTA 330hp
Location: Newmarket
Country: Canada

Thanks, that sure looks like what I have. So, without being flippant, is it critical? Should I have it replaced asap or can it wait? Not entirely sure what the shim does. Thanks.

July 16, 2020 at 12:03 pm #100946

Rob Schepis
Forum Moderator
Vessel Name: Tenacious
Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
Location: Long Island, NY
Country: USA

Looks to be the shim under the belt tensioner. Check out this thread where a bunch of us went full circle with this (except the originator of the post who never bothered to close it out with a reply or his outcome):

https://www.sbmar.com/community/topic/cummins-6bta-330hp-plastic-pieces-under-engine/page/2/
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