Here we go again. Idler pulley froze and threw the serp belt on the way home @ 4:30am Saturday. Managed to get down the windy hill and into a truck stop without brakes and steering. A cold 7 degrees out. Waited til 8:am to start calling for a replacement belt. NAPA and Advance Auto didn't have the belt. The Dodge dealers that were open couldn't help as parts dept. are closed on Saturday. Guess trucks don't breakdown on the weekends. Tried Cummins - they're closed on Saturdays too.
Had to call 3 road service outfits before one would even think about coming out to help me. Finally got one to come out bringing a belt. While he was taking the remaining shreds off I asked him to check the idler pully before he put the new belt on. Sure enough - pulley frozen. He can't fix it with anything back in his shop. I call my local dealer to see if they have a pulley - of course NOT. They check and show only one dealer, 2 hundred miles away that has one. Can't get it before they close. Now I'm stuck and can't make my Saturday delivery till MAYBE Monday - 2 hours short of destination.
What really ticks me off is this truck is now a 3 year old model and nobody seems to stock any parts for it. Every time I have to go to Dodge for a part, I have to wait a day for them to get it in. What the edited by admin How can these dealers be 5 star dealers with no parts inventory??
312k on the belt so can't complain about it's service - probably would've lasted longer if the pulley did.

 

Well, I'd say that's pretty good. I though originally you were going to be a member of the 04.5 and 05 club for those of us who lost belts early (mine went at 5400 miles) for no good reason (pullies fine, etc).

After mine went, I ordered and now keep a spare in the truck. You are correct though about dealer inventory - why do they have parts departments at all, considering they NEVER have any parts!!

 

312K on the factory idler pulley sounds pretty good. I've never had one go that far except on the old '89 CTD. I thought for sure by now that NAPA would have one for it. Not sure about up north, but down here, if you want a decent quality part and a chance that they actually have it, you go to Napa... good luck.

 

Yikes 312K on the belt!!! I just got a spare belt to put in my toolbox because I was worrying about mine having 60K on it. I was gonna take it on up to 100k maybe and switch it and put the old one in the tool box as an emergency backup.


Sorry to hear about your troubles on the road and with the idler pulley. That just sux and no resolution available until the 1st of the week. Keep us informed.

 

Man I hear you that is my complain! It always seems that I am on the other side of the coutry on a run and I have problems nobody has a freekin thing for our truck. I dont care if you are stuck in LA or in BFE no dealer will have a thing. I even had an injector problem in vegas and the cummins dealer didnt have anything and they had to order one for Missouri.

Oh do I ever feel your pain. I was in Ny and toasted both of my front wheel bearings and had to wait 5 days to get some there!! I have had to pay tons in hotel bills waiting on parts that I can put on myself. I also locked up a belt pully and had to way 3 days as well and had to pay out the noise for a heavy haul tow truck to come get me and my 50' of trailer and drag me to the next town just to wait. Lucky you I only made it to 225K on the origina belt and pulley before I cooked and I mean cooked my idler pulley, at least I didnt wipe out the cam sensor!

I think Dodge and cummins need to get on the same page I mean some of us use these trucks to work and in my experience in Phoenix I cant wait 3 weeks to get into the service dept to get looked at!! Of all the people on here I am right there with you.

I have a full inventory in my truck now!! I have a complete set of u-joints, 1-wheel bearing, 1-injector, 1- belt idler, 2 fuel filters, extra belt oh and a big roll of duct tape!!! Love these cummins but man they need to help the workin man out a little better!!

 

Hey if you need the pulley let me know I can UPS red to you if you need it!! I know what its like to be in a jam. Let me know!!

 

Yeah NAPA is great on an older car but the way Dodge holds the part numbers and won't release to the aftermarket most of the new parts have to go through the dealer so they can make the money! Some parts you can't even get from cummins because of there "agreement"

 

Hopefully, I can get a pulley today. Have to call my client and beg off agreed delivery date, which was Saturday past. I hate those calls. I don't do too many but each one stinks!!
Of course I had a previously scheduled hearing date today that is mandatory for me to attend. I don't know about anyone else, but I get really off my game when my truck is broke or down like now. It really messes me up. Especially when you are at the mercy of so many people who don't have a clue.

 

Yeah I know what you mean! What gets me mad is when you are in a jam and need some help these people treat it like no big deal, such as calling you back or tech info!

Yeah I hate making those calls, makes it sound like we are making up some story as to why we can't get there with our "New truck" some people just have to idea!!

 

I lost the idler pulley and belt on my 05 at 7K. I was able to limp into the dodge dealer in Commerce,Ga.I had a trailer loaded with horses in tow.The service Mgr. had a tech take the parts i needed off a new truck on the lot and I was back on the road in a short time. some dealers do treat you right. I live in fear of breaking down on the road,with horses on the trailer. I'd be in one bad fix,if I had to wait for parts.So far in over 300k miles of towing horses, a dodge ctd has not failed me.

 

Man you are the lucky one!!! Your truck must have been built on a wednesday when everyone was awake and doing there job HAHA!!!

Ive been stuck a few times and it is not a good feeling!! A CB is your friend because in some places where your phone dont work a trucker will ask if your ok! Have had to hitch a ride with them to the next town to make a phone call!! Always always make friends on the road!!!