I was driving the hwy this morning with a 25' trailer, and the AC quit cooling. Then I noticed a light on "Check Gauges". I looked and the temp was pegged at 240.

I pulled over and killed the truck, and the belt has thrown. The belt was new and the belt tensioner was new, so I assume the AC compressor locked up. I turned off the AC, and put a spare belt on, started the truck and ran in home about 20 miles.

The truck ran fine, no smoke, temp was normal, but I am worried now I may have caused some head problems. Any idea how long before I will know the engine is ok?

 

did your coolant overflow? if not, then i doubt you will have issues. sounds like you caught it in time before much, if any damage would have occured . . .

most idiot lights are ther for a reason - if you ignore them you may cause damage depending on what it is trying to tell you - thus you would be an 'idiot' (which you weren't).

i think you'll be fine once you figure out why the belt was thrown for sure . . .

 

Why did you replace the belt tensioner? Parts quality isn't what it once was.................

 

We went through it a couple of months back, replaced the radiator, hoses, water pump, fan clutch, thermostat etc. The mechanic said the belt tensioner showed wear and recommended replacing.

The AC clutch went out a month back, and the guy replaced it with a used one. It could have been the clutch, but, I engaged the ac after I got home and it cooled fine. I will idle it a while this weekend to see if it gets hot and locks up.

The coolant bottle did overflow some, not sure how much though, It looked full when I saw it but saw some coolant on the chassis where it had overflowed.

Keep an eye on coolant level and on the oil?

 

I had the same thing happen a few weeks ago, I have had no issue, installed new belt filled coolant. I have driven 1000+ miles since including pulling a trailer.

 

Did you have coolant overlfow out of the bottle?

 

Ya lost almost a gallon, I got it really hot, drove for another mile to get of the interstate after the gauge was pegged.

 

Ok thanks I feel better now, I pulled over as soon as I saw the light on and noticed the engine was hot, could not have gone over a 1/4 mile or so.

 

i also lost coolant out the bottle one time. let it cool, topped it up in the rad, checked it a couple times after driving a few days - filled more if needed and haven't looked back. now i just check the overflow reservoir once in a while . . . seems to stay fairly consistent.

this reminds me, check the little rubber hose from the overflow to the rad. the ends get worn and no longer have an airtight seal - might want to throw a little clamp on each end so it functions properly . . .

 

Ok, just be aware some new parts are coming through bad, even quality suppliers like Gates have been known to have issues. I really doubt it is your AC Compressor, but stranger things have happened. They usually stay locked up when they go, but checking won't hurt.

And yea, keep an eye on your coolant and oil, but my strong hunch is you would have already seen the problem if you had one.

Keep an eye on that tensioner and belt..........

 

The mechanic is saying the harmonic balancer may be bad.... that it has a wobble to it. anyone ever have to replace on of these? Will they caused it to throw belts?

 

I once was going up a hill with 15K behind me and lots of traffic, when both my trans temp and my water temp pegged hot. My EGT's was way over right next to the red, but I was not going to stop until I crested the hill.

I had visions of replacing both the trans and motor they were both that hot. After I crested the hill, I pulled off the freeway and sat for an hour or show. I had some 50/50 in my truck and I think I put in about a half of gallon.

Went on with the rest of the trip, came back home with around 12 K in the back. The next day after I got home, I changed the trans fluid, not dark, every thing looked good, wow. Then I changed the coolant and oil, no issues there either. Go figure with these things, just be happy we bought Cummins and Dodge came along for the ride .

 

lol

 

Unless the bolts holding on are loose, I doubt it, I forgot the belt runs behind the balancing hub that is held on by the rubber. You do need to check it though, the rubber does go bad after awhile, and you don't want that ring coming loose going down the road. Start it up and watch it for yourself, any significant wobble and you need to figure it out.

And yea, they are known to need replacing.

 

The balancer does have a little wobble. I looked back and I don't see where the mecahnic replace the tensioner although he said he pulled it and inspected it. SO I am replacing it, does this truck have an idler bearing? Think I should replace it too?