Truck in sig. Currently with ~37.6K miles. About a week ago I heard a very faint squeak from under the hood. I've heard this truck make many a strange noise that eventually goes away never to return. Well, the squeak went away about 25 miles later. Tuesday, I am under the hood running some Seafoam through the fuel filter and notice a strand of fan belt wrapped around the clutch fan hub. I looked at the accessory belt and the first groove on all the pulleys is exposed and the belt slightly frayed on the front (towards the radiator). I wasnt real happy to see that so soon. My 92 Dak has 267K miles and has had two belts (original and current) and that was only because I couldnt stand the suspense and changed it. Never failed. This beast has less than 40K and I'm puking belts? I looked at the belt and it is a pretty substanial piece. Of course the dealer didnt think is was unusual and charged my for a new one against my protests. If I lose another one before 100K we are going to have to have a chat.

On a side note, I got scared when the tech came out and said the belt looked fine to begin with and asked if I thought I might have picked up the "debris" from the road. I suggested he look again, with the hood up this time. AND, when the change took place, it took three techs to do it. That doesnt comfort me if the belt escapes and I'n the only one around. I honestly didnt think it was supposed to be that difficult. I've changed my belts on my Dak (3.9 V6) and my former Durango (5.2 V8), and while a bit of a challenge, it was completed, by myself.

 

Theres a TSB on this I believe.TSB 09-004-06

 

My just did the same thing last night. Second tIme in 50,000 miles.

 

What Houndog said. Do a search on here and on TDR, on "belt shredding" and you will have plenty of reading. My original belt went without warning with only 5400 miles on the odo. The TSB (which involves a clutch pulley on the alternator to reduce belt "chirp", at shutdown, thus lessening strain and wear on the belt) did not exist at the time.

The replacment belt has been OK (knock wood) for over 22,000 miles now, but I check it regularly. This seems to have been an issue on the 04s and 05s, since I haven't seen to many with 06s post about it.

 

the first time i think they replaced my tensioner. i have never had chirp at shutdown. i just hope they fix it fast cuz i am heading home to New Hampshire tonight.

 

So the TSB, is that like a recall or do YOU have to bring it to your dealers attention.

I lost the outside rib on my belt long ago but has been holdin fine ever since.

Should I just pay up and get a new belt so I dont have to bother with the dealer, or should I go in for the clutch on the alternator?

 

Your dealer "should" automatically search for TSBs, but some don't. I actually had to PRINT one out off the internet once to show my dealer before he admitted it existed.

 

TSB's use to come in paper as well as on the computer.If they still come on paper most well run shops the service manager scans/reads them and then takes them to the personal involved and hands them out for them to read/scan etc. Lots of TSB'S I might not have read fully but I had seen such describing such and such.Same with techs.I've known some that would get a vehicle in and with the repair order be at the computer going through TSB's knowing that what was described on the ticket had come by him before etc. Most service managers can approved a out of warranty repair like this belt deal with a note as see TSB such and such or see vehicle history belt/tensioner replaced at such and such dealer,repair order number and date etc. At least thats the way the system works if done correctly etc.

 

Well they had to order a new pulley, it's covered under my extended warranty, but i have to pay 280 for diagnostic time and a new belt. Looks like i am taking the rental to NH. I better get reimbursed for that.

 

New pulley and belt should fix it. This has been a problem for the last couple years. Belt and pulley fixes the problem. TSB to help the belt live, what a lame excuse from DC. Ever hear the earlier 2nd generation VP44 dodge cummins shut down, talk about belt chirp. Never a belt problem on them trucks and they shut down harder than the 3rd gen CP3 trucks.

If your truck has under 100,000 miles I would debate paying for it. Your truck came with a 5/100,000 mile engine warranty. They will try and give some lame excuse about wear parts but a pulley is not a wear part. It's part of the engine function. The engine can not perform as delivered from factory with a defective pulley. A defective pulley caused your belt to shred. Tell them your willing to pay cost on the belt and they can send the rest into warranty claim.

 

What he said. Bluebull and I may disagree on the belt issue (see our post over on TDR ), but he and I agree on the above. It IS a warranty issue.

 

The belt and pully is NOT part of the engine warranty but checkout time of how much? Plus its a TSB that states the issue,should be no check out time.Check out WHAT? The TSB? Oh come now!

 

Looks like me, wexman, and hounddog should read a little closer before we butt heads.

From Hercules130 post; (Pulley is covered under extended warranty), I still contend it came from factory with a defective pulley it should be covered under the engine warranty.

Diagnostic time should be covered under warranty also for a warrantable part. Belt is considered a wear item so it's not covered under warranty but I would still bring it to there attention that the belt failed because of a part that was warrantiable. That's why I would offer to pay cost.

Now all we need to know is what pulley?
dampner pulley, power steering pulley, idler tensioner pulley, alternator pulley, air conditioner pump pulley????? It could change who's warranty it's under.

 

LOL! You're right.

I agree with this also.

 

I have an extended warrenty and I know my dealer will fix it for free but the whole thing is, is that my dealer is an hour away and I work 6 days a week so its hard for me to get there, BUT if a new belt wont fix the problem I may just go in and get the new pulley too.