Serpentine belt

Hi,

Not sure for your rig, but I believe they often have a mileage limit and/or a time limit, whichever comes first.

Bummer about the AC Condenser. How long had the one that broke been in service? I am a bit puzzled about your statement: it "locked up" the condensor", though. I could see it damaging the condensor and causing a leak. The AC compressor can "lock up", but I'm not sure how a broken belt could cause the AC compressor to "lock up". A "locked up" compressor, though, could take out the belt, so maybe the compressor was the initial fault?

I will admit I know very little about DPs, though, so I'm mentioning the above to help me learn. One of these days I'm hoping my gasser grows up to be a nice DP! LOL

~Rick

Assuming you mean because of a locked up air conditioning compressor, then that is quite a job, If the compressor is driven with the serpentine belt, when it locks up it will distroy the belt no matter how new it is.

replace with the new Kevlar and silicon from NAPA never worry about it again same with Hoses.

Branson N Tucson wrote:
Have a question on how long is a reasonable time to replace the Serpentine belt on a Cat C-7 engine. It's been 28,000 miles since it was last replaced. Had one break and had a bill of $1,999.00 because it locked up the air condition condenser.

Thanks for your recommendations.

Branson,
Yep, me too on "...locked up the air conditioning condenser....". Now, first thing that's needed is:

year/make/model/chassis etc. that we're dealing with here. Lots of coaches were fitted with the C-7 and, in all three versions. The 300, 330 and 350HP versions. Depending on which model coach, length etc, replacing that Serpentine belt might not be too bad. But, on some, it's quite a job. Since 99.999999% of the coaches fitted with the C-7 are rear radiator, as stated, some can be a real bear to work on.

A good RV diesel tech, might be able to have the old belt off and the new one on in as little as 15-20 minutes, again, depending on access to it. But, even the best techs can be thrown for a loop in some of these coaches.
Scott

Branson N Tucson wrote:
Have a question on how long is a reasonable time to replace the Serpentine belt on a Cat C-7 engine. It's been 28,000 miles since it was last replaced. Had one break and had a bill of $1,999.00 because it locked up the air condition condenser.

A broken belt will NOT "lock up" an A/C compressor or condenser (a condenser has no moving parts). A locked compressor could cause a broken belt and that could damage a condenser.

In general, serpentine belt are good for 10 years or 100K miles OR MORE !

Yes I believe the primary cost was to replace the compressor and the belt fell victim to the lock up.
+1 for 10 years or 100,000 miles is the expected minimum life of the belt.

Because of the higher heat where the belts are located in a diesel pusher, I would strongly suggest 10 years is twice what I would run.

And very likely on the Caterpillar C7 you have a separate V belt that drives only the water pump. It is NOT on an automatic tensioner, so tension needs to be checked and adjusted occasionally. And, replace this belt when you replace the serpentine belt.

My belts and hoses have been in since 2010 look as new (kevlar)

wolfe10 wrote:
Because of the higher heat where the belts are located in a diesel pusher, I would strongly suggest 10 years is twice what I would run.

And very likely on the Caterpillar C7 you have a separate V belt that drives only the water pump. It is NOT on an automatic tensioner, so tension needs to be checked and adjusted occasionally. And, replace this belt when you replace the serpentine belt.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!
We've owned our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP now for 8 years and have put 42,000 on it since we purchased it. And I've changed that Serpentine belt and the water pump belt TWICE in that time frame. Those belts are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too cheap to try and stretch a life span on them especially since we often are on looooooong stretches of baron roads and freeways. So, knowing I've done at least that to help preserve our nice travels, is a great piece of mind.
Scott

Where do ou have it installed and at what labor costs?

FIRE UP wrote:

wolfe10 wrote:
Because of the higher heat where the belts are located in a diesel pusher, I would strongly suggest 10 years is twice what I would run.

And very likely on the Caterpillar C7 you have a separate V belt that drives only the water pump. It is NOT on an automatic tensioner, so tension needs to be checked and adjusted occasionally. And, replace this belt when you replace the serpentine belt.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!
We've owned our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP now for 8 years and have put 42,000 on it since we purchased it. And I've changed that Serpentine belt and the water pump belt TWICE in that time frame. Those belts are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too cheap to try and stretch a life span on them especially since we often are on looooooong stretches of baron roads and freeways. So, knowing I've done at least that to help preserve our nice travels, is a great piece of mind.
Scott