Cat water pump bearing
I have a 2000 Itasca Horizon DP with 3126B Cat 300 engine. I have been very happy with the coach and engine/trans with one exception. The water pump bearing on the engine has a grease serk (sp) that i...
Forum Discussion
I agree the number of sealed bearing failures is probably extremely low when considering the vast number of engines in service. I also believe that an undetectable catastrophic failure of the bearing is extremely rare (if at all), so a maintenance check as noted above is the key to preventing a roadside disaster.
In my case, I check all the accessory bearings (water pump, alternator, A/C compressor, fan pulley, etc). for both smooth operation and excessive play every spring when I take my MOHO out of winter storage. So far, no detectable play in the fan bearing, but it did once identify the start of a bearing problem in the alternator. By performing this simple check I eliminated a roadside breakdown, with the potential of collateral damage, to a pretty easy repair which I performed in my driveway.
I worked as a power plant engineer for 30+ years and another good practice, which is often performed in the commercial/manufacturing industries, is to loosen the tension on the belt(s) when equipment is placed into long term storage. It is not only good for the belt, but eliminates the constant one direction pull on the engine accessory components. It's a pretty easy thing to do by simply moving the tensioner and slipping the belt off any one of the pulleys and reduces the load on all the components.
Good luck and safe (uneventful) travels to all.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy
CAT C7
In my case, I check all the accessory bearings (water pump, alternator, A/C compressor, fan pulley, etc). for both smooth operation and excessive play every spring when I take my MOHO out of winter storage. So far, no detectable play in the fan bearing, but it did once identify the start of a bearing problem in the alternator. By performing this simple check I eliminated a roadside breakdown, with the potential of collateral damage, to a pretty easy repair which I performed in my driveway.
I worked as a power plant engineer for 30+ years and another good practice, which is often performed in the commercial/manufacturing industries, is to loosen the tension on the belt(s) when equipment is placed into long term storage. It is not only good for the belt, but eliminates the constant one direction pull on the engine accessory components. It's a pretty easy thing to do by simply moving the tensioner and slipping the belt off any one of the pulleys and reduces the load on all the components.
Good luck and safe (uneventful) travels to all.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy
CAT C7
