Hello all, on my 97 4x4 3500, the fanbelt keeps riding up onto the outer lip of the AC clutch and belt tensioner idler. It's a new belt, to replace one that had the outer edge torn off (the same place this one is riding). I took off the idler on the tensioner and put a deeper groove in it, but it (the belt) keeps popping back out one rib. I don't think the idler is responsible for keeping it all straight, could the harmonic balancer be causing this? Any ideas?

The next question is about the turbo return line, where it connects to the block. The little press fit (I assume) flanged metal pipe is loose in the block, and cannot be pushed back in tight. I took it out, and inspected it, and it is worn from moving around in it's hole, I assume the hole is worn as well. Will a new pipe solve the problem (oil leak), or is the a way to seal this little pipe. An O ring would have been a good idea from the start.

Thanks, Mark

 

Usually a new tensioner solves that problem. They wear where the pivot is and cause misalignment onto the a/c pulley.

Sorry, can't help on your other question.

 

is the tensioner a dealer only item?

 

You should be able to get the tensioner from a ater market parts house, but before you do that confirm whats wrong 1st , go to the side of the truck look at all the pullies from a right angle and try to see if one of them is out of alinement from the rest , then thats the one you need to work with , but the tensioner is a comin one , but then so is the Alt, waterpump, ect.

 

yup,

aftermarket is fine. about $85

I replaced mine cause the belt would squeel on a cool damp morning.

 

Mine did the same thing,the tensioner was just loose.It still has a little angle to it after 175,000 miles,but it stopped riding up on the AC pulley,so Im satisfied.