Cummins 8.3 belt squeek

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2014

Aggravated. I'm a novice to intermediate mechanic. An old farm skidder with a cummins 6c 8.3 is giving me grief. The serpentine belt started to squak bad after the water pump and alternator and belt were replaced. So yesterday I changed the belt tensioner. Funny, I had mis alighned the belt on the fan pulley by one ridge. I didn't notice, started the engine and no squak. Perfect purrrrr. Then i noticed the ridge and put it in place. Started it, squeaks worse than ever. Ideas ? Last to change is that fan pulls and the crank pulls I guess. Bigger jobs. Any other thoughts? Belt is tight but I could put one size smaller on I bet. $60 trial.

Bob Bancroft · Jul 13, 2014

Throw some corn starch, or equivalent on the belt. That should quiet it down, so if there is a bearing issue, then maybe you can isolate it.

JD Seller · Jul 13, 2014

Clean the pulleys groves out with a wire brush. Making sure they are clean clear to the bottom of the grove. Then check the alignment of the pulleys with a straight edge to make sure they are straight. I have ran into water pumps that had the hub pressed on to the wrong depth and that will make the belt squeak. IF all the pulleys are in line and the groves are clean an you ate still having a squeaking belt. I would use talc powder(baby powder) on the belt. Some times the belt needs to wear in to match the pulleys. The talc powder will quite the belt down while it wears to match the pulleys.

IF none of this works than try a different brand of belt. I have found some that are too soft and they squeak like some shoes do. Get a different brand an it may stop.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2014

On the new water pump I did notice something related to alignment. The left side looking in, ie the engine side is generally true when it runs. The right side, the rad side, has huge rotationary displacment. Like its cast poorly. But the belt still seems to be running true. I will try the powder thanks!

Mark-Ia · Jul 13, 2014

A little liquid rubbing compound applied while the belt is running will quiet it down.

Fudd · Jul 13, 2014

Check to make sure the alternator pulley is correct and in alignment. We have 8.3's in Ford trucks and I have had to install different spacers between the pulley and alternator.

BushogPapa · Jul 13, 2014

Bees Wax is good for the belt and quiets belt squeaks..

Ron.

fixerupper · Jul 13, 2014

If you have the proper length belt you should just barely be able to get it over the pulleys with the tensioner pulled all the way back.

T in NE · Jul 13, 2014

There"s some belts that just make a lot of noise. I think it"s Goodyear Gatorback belts that don"t squeak and last a long time. Preferred belt for the 12 valve Cummins, which is real similar to your 8.3.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 14, 2014

Thank you good advice.

Cummins 8.3 belt squeek

Anonymous-0

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Bob Bancroft

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JD Seller

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Anonymous-0

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Mark-Ia

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Fudd

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BushogPapa

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fixerupper

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T in NE

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Anonymous-0

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