Ford E-350 van 6.0 diesel serpentine belt.

[wackerb]

I tried to replace my serpentine belt, but gave up. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good mechanic for the above in the Austin, TX vicinity?

[mkguitar]

check a ford van forum rather than an RV forum
have a look at You tube
on a chev vortec it is literally a one hand job following the diagram on the sticker under the hood- the other hand is on the tensioner w a 15mm socket


the ford I am sure isn;t much more difficult


check the guys at autozone, and reward with a case of beer



mike

[dmb496]

Originally Posted by wackerb

I tried to replace my serpentine belt, but gave up. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good mechanic for the above in the Austin, TX vicinity?

I've owned an F350 with the 6.0 for years. That belt can a fight, until the proper sequence is realized. I spent 45 minutes once and didn't get it on. I finally studied the front end of the engine for several minutes, and went at the belt again. Had it on in 5-6 minutes.

I can't describe the procedure to you. I've forgotten already!!

[wackerb]

Mike, it is an RV, Sportsmobile to be exact and don't make assumptions about Fords being like GM's I did check youtube and the professionals had nothing good to say about how packed the vans are and the best one skipped steps about how to loosen the parts he struggled to pull out. You can only see the tensioner pulley, not the 1/2 " socket, nor could you get a 1/2" breaker bar into the space, can't even see the fan pulley, nor the space between it and the crank where the belt has to go. The fan, itself, is covered with two separate ducting systems, not at all like a normal cowling around the edge. I'll look for a Ford van forum, though.

[wackerb]

Big difference between an F350 and an E350. No room and can't see anything. I spent half a day and got nowhere.

[mkguitar]

Originally Posted by wackerb

Mike, it is an RV, Sportsmobile to be exact and don't make assumptions about Fords being like GM's

many times the mechanical questions are best answered on manufacturer specific forums


no assumption here, which is why I suggested the Ford forum or youtube --- get as specific to the year and motor version you have


I'm sure it's tight but you'll get it


NICE trick on locking the tensioner

https://youtu.be/XCR3KnjQfbE

mike

[mkguitar]

or here


removing shroud and etc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCR3...ature=youtu.be

[dmb496]

I needed to change head gaskets in my 6.0 last year. This thing is crammed in and deep under the cowl. I decided engine removal would give the best access for the repair.

I've heard engine access in a van is a challenge.

[wackerb]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

Not having access to tools or supplies in the parking lot of an Auto Zone I took it to the pros who removed the radiator and everything around it plus replaced the A/C compressor which was frozen and caused the serpentine melt down in the first place. I took them half a day and they punctured the radiator in the process, so another half day to replace that. With neither drain pans, coolant or refrigerant giving up was the right choice for me.