Got a question for anyone who knows about the correct time to change a serpentine belt. I have 62K miles on my '03 while fulltiming with a 6K# TT. My concern is that the belt may fail at the worst time. Has anyone had a belt failure on their 6.0L? Just got back from the Ford dealer and the tech indicates that the belt is fine, but he admits to having no experience with 6L's. Any input would be gladly appreciated.

 

The belt is suppose to last 100,000 miles.....soooo if you have some time on your hands you could change it. The easiest way is to pull the radiator and remove the engine fan shroud. This belt is not easy to change along side the road.

 

Ford changed my serpentine belts because of a squeal at high and low idle. I had them keep the old belts for me and they are still in good shape. I have 68,000 miles on my 6.0. I probably just should have used belt dressing or something, but hey, it is still under warranty. These belts have been through 50-60 below zero temperatures. So, they should go at least 100,000 miles without any problems. It is always a good idea to carry spares, though. Shopdiesel.com has decent prices.

 

The belt would be a royal pain to change on the side of the road. It can be done fairly quickly with the proper tools and a couple of short cuts (it is not necessary to remove the radiator, and it can be done without removing the fan and shroud).

 

You say with proper tools. Normal hand tools ? or something special?

Thankyou

 

When does the stinky skunk smell from the belt go away? And if you replace it, not Ford oem, does the new one stink to? Maybe another brand?

 

Just had mine replaced at 19k miles because of chirping when cold. Dealer said it was the inner belt. I've never looked so I couldn't tell ya how many belts are on it.

2004 F250, PSD

 

Thanks for the input. I will wait till 100k miles before I get too excited.

 

Well, I managed to get suckered into "helping" a buddy change his a few weeks ago. The factory cookbook says you should remove the fan shroud and a whole slew of other things.

The bottom line is that you can change that belt without doing that, but it takes a long time and is near impossible without having someone at hood level and someone underneath. It is a real bugger to do, and I pity anyone who has to tackle this on the side of the highway.

I don't think you need special tools. It runs in my mind that a 1/2" square drive ratchet with a long handle came in handy, but that is really about it. Folks out here have stuff like that to work on tractors and what-not.

 

The biggest obstacle would be the fan nut, which requires a special wrench or some creativity.

The belt tensioner can be realeased without the use of a wrench, but I don't want to divulge too many of my secrets on here.

For the trucks equiped with dual alternators, there are two belts. I am not sure if those can be done without removing the fan and shroud, because I haven't had to do one yet.

 

The fan nut has to come off???????????????????????????????????????????

 

Well, the entire fan does. Unless you want to sneak the belt off and back on without removing the fan and shroud. I have gotten good enough at removing the fan and shroud that I would just go that route, instead of fighting with the belt in between the engine and the shroud.