V10 6.8 Triton Serpentine Belt

[Grumpy Grampa]

I have 2017 Miramar V10 6.8 Triton Ford engine. I want to change the serpentine belt. Questions . You change from underneath the engine, do you have to take dog bone top engine cap inside the RV off? What size socket for pulling the tensioner to remove belt?

Thank you

[16ACE27]

I don't think removing the dog house will help you change the serpentine belt. The belt is supposed to last 100,000 miles. Have you got that many on your MH?

Maybe check out this thread beforehand:

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f87/best...-518788-2.html

[Grumpy Grampa]

I only have 30, 000 miles. Since the RV will be seven years old, I am concerned about drying out and cracking because of age.

Thoughts

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Grampa

I only have 30, 000 miles. Since the RV will be seven years old, I am concerned about drying out and cracking because of age.

Thoughts

I just changed out the timing and serpentine belts on my 2016 Sonic with 110.000 miles because "maintenance interval" of 100,000 miles. Both belts looked almost as good as the replacement belts.

My 2015 chassis V10 has almost 40,000 miles on the clock. Replacing that serpentine belt hadn't even crossed my mind.

Most modern OEM belts are very well made.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Just drove mine from Ohio to Colorado... listening to the occasional squeal from the belt... evidently from lack of an idler pulley (discussed in another thread).

What's the opinion about lack of that idler, etc. causing undue wear on the belt? Or nothing to worry about other than that annoying noise?

[Lt Keefer]

I've watched quite a few channels on youtube centered around automotive mechanics. These mechanics re-use serpentine belts on a routine basis. They mark the orientation prior to removal but do not hesitate to reuse them. I think modern materials have made the belts last a lot longer than 'fan belts' used to last.

[Jimbo56]

If age is a question raise it up with front jacks. Get yoga pad. Plop on ground. Crawl under with flashlight. Do a visual inspection of belt. Unless you’ve had a bearing issue in the alternator, ac pump, steering pump, or other mechanical failure I doubt it needs replaced.

[Grumpy Grampa]

Hi. Has anyone changed a serpentine belt on Miramar v10 6.8. Was it easy, how did it go?,

Thoughts.

Thanks

[Muggs]

Keeping a spare belt will not hurt. Belt can get knocked off by stuff on road. Had to stop and unwind big plastic bag stuck in left front. Had to cut loose from lower kingpin area.

Never had to change serpentine belt, did look at it. Long arms would help along with patience. Spare still in unit when traded.

Since I am towing drag car, doubtless that I would have what needed to change.

Being in Florida, heat and humidity seems rough on belts. Never had any run to full factory replacement, I replace when see edges shred or cords show on surface.

If you have reasonable skill is worth effort when needed. If not, just keep eye on it.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

If age is a question raise it up with front jacks. Get yoga pad. Plop on ground. Crawl under with flashlight. Do a visual inspection of belt. Unless you’ve had a bearing issue in the alternator, ac pump, steering pump, or other mechanical failure I doubt it needs replaced.

Yep, Ford says check it every 24,000 miles and the recommended replacement is 105,000 miles along with hoses, coolant and rear axle fluid. If I were to change the belt, I would change the idler pulley and the tensioner also. I do carry a spare and a 36" long 1/2" breaker bar.

[Grumpy Grampa]

Thanks for all the good info. Will a 30 inch breaker bar work, or is a 36 inch breaker bar required?

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Grampa

Thanks for all the good info. Will a 30 inch breaker bar work, or is a 36 inch breaker bar required?

Ford shop manual calls for a special tool the is 60" long. You have to take the tension off the tensioner to slide the belt on. There is not room for two people up front unless you have a long bar. I tie the end down with a rubber bungee cord, so longer is better. You can can practice it on a cold engine. I would never try a belt change on a hot engine.

[2017Chateau]

I need to thank the person that started that thread on the missing tensioner pulley.
I just had mine added today, drove away and no squeal at 2100-2300 rpms. His thread had a video that showed the belt jumping and the sound was the same. I sent that to the mechanic shop, bought the parts at Ford, less than $50, done.

[2017Chateau]

The belt did not show any undue wear. I'm at 20,000 miles, but they replaced the belt anyway since it had been squealing probably for ever. I kept the old one just in case of emergency repair. But no noise now.