The one that came off is a CONTITECH Serpentine Belt - 6PK2260. I found a post from Dennis at Linden Engineering that said the last four digits in the part number are the belt's length in mm. So the belt I got from Europarts (6PK2257) 7 years ago for a spare is 3mm shorter than the one that came off the van today (6PK2260).Is the CONTITECH Serpentine Belt - 6PK2257 the correct one for a 2006 Dodge Sprinter 3500 with air conditioning?
Bill
The one that came off is a CONTITECH Serpentine Belt - 6PK2260. I found a post from Dennis at Linden Engineering that said the last four digits in the part number are the belt's length in mm. So the belt I got from Europarts (6PK2257) 7 years ago for a spare is 3mm shorter than the one that came off the van today (6PK2260).
I don't think the 3mm is a game changer. The tensioner can take up the difference.
I replaced it with a Gates K060888 (also has the number 6PK2258 on the package).
I'll keep the 6PK2257 for a spare.
Bill
To throw a bit more sh*t into the game...So as to not leave this hanging, this is where it is as of now.
After I found out the pulley and the routing as found/left was correct (thanks again to Doktor A), I inspected the groove wear more closely. It is worn in a bit, but not as deeply as I had thought. I took it for a test drive. After running a bit I stopped and listened to the engine. The whirring noise is gone and everything seems to be ok. The new NAPA belt has a fuzzy finish so I wonder if that needed to seat? That's a guess though. The Dayco belt I returned had a similar fuzzy finish, but with a segmented vee. That was even noisier. Maybe the new segments needed to seat? It probably would have quieted down too. I was reluctant to run anything new very long if the pulley was incorrect.
I went to the parts store armed with a belt number Dayco 6PK2275 (895K6) which I had gleaned somewhere from the internet. Those numbers didn't surface. This is what I found for a 2004 2.7L w/air:
My removed belt had a Mercedes logo and #6PK2260.
Advance Auto = Dayco #6PK2260 (5060890) (segmented) ~$35.00
NAPA = Micro-V AT #060895 (no segments) ~$42.00
Hope this helps. vic
2258 mm converts to 88.89 inches ... which gives us a hint about the Gates part number...I replaced it with a Gates K060888 (also has the number 6PK2258 on the package).
I agree totally!!This entire issue is absolutely, positively nothing to worry about.
:
So maybe that statement is a bit strong. there is (at least) one who has more experience than I do who disagrees....
This entire issue is absolutely, positively nothing to worry about.
vic
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Given Dennis' input and the fact that Dodge does list belts for the 2.7L which are within 5 mm, maybe it is that critical.For info many manufacturers recommended a tensioner change out at 100K miles.
In fact GM has issued a bulletin to reject warranty on such things as water pumps, alternator and idler pulleys if the tensioner has been on the engine for more than 100,000 miles. That equates to about 5 years of heavier driving and nine years of low mileage usage!
When the service interval mentions check the tensioner and belting it means a bit more than just a visual. We use a torquemeter to gauge the coiled spring tension and use a Gates groove depth gauge to see how much the rib has worn away. Its a GM tool & Gates tool respectfully but both work well on other applicators including MB stuff.
Take a look at this article it goes into depth about what I have mentioned in brevity.
http://www.gates.com/products/autom.../belt-wear-diagnosis/epdm-belt-wear-diagnosis
Today's belts are made in EPDM materials so they don't show cracks like the older neoprene belts. Yes as the belt wears and seats down onto the pulleys slip is inevitable which causes accelerated wear. How does the wear come from? Well simple the tensioner if its past its best!
On 901/902 /903 Sprinter be mindful that there are differing lengths by about 3mm or 1/8th. While this might not seem much when the tensioner is worn or the housed loading spring tension has relaxed it can make a difference.
Overheating and elevated top pipe temperatures should be avoided as this can cause some very expensive damage if the engine is continually distressed. Its fortunate that the MB engine has a lot of abuse resistance but there are limits to that and a new belt tensioner at about $140 every 5 years is cheap insurance against possible overheating especially when ambients soar past 100 dgf as they do out West here in the summertime.
Its back to the old Fram slogan "Pay me now or pay me later" usually later means big bucks!
Dennis
It is interesting that while on the Dodge site when I clicked both "Show All Dodge Sprinter 2500 > Cooling Drive Belts" and "Show All Dodge Sprinter 3500 > Cooling Drive Belts" for 2003 - 2009 there are no 3 mm difference choices which I find for the Sprinter. The choices shown are 21.36x2260, 21.36x2265, and 21.36x2271 depending upon certain code and options listed.
The shorter 2257 length belt mentioned in the other thread never even comes up. The only listings that I found for 2257 were aftermarket parts.
http://www.factorychryslerparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=612246
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Good memory and observation!Talkinghorse had several catastrophic tensioner failures. Perhaps the tensioner shouldn't be blamed? Perhaps the tighter 2257 belt put the tensioner into the upper limits of its operating range?
Cal
Even if the 70 mm diameter pulley measurement includes the lip and not just the belt contact surface, it is a larger diameter than the OEM 56 mm. So the combination of both the shorter 2257 belt and the larger replacement idler pulleys would make things even worse."After further reflection...
Personally I would choose the flat style pulley as designed. (Edit: Maybe not. Read further.) Have fun. vic"
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20111123 edit to Stoopid Things: There is a note in red on the Europarts listing that the grooved pulley is now listed by Dodge for the 2004 - 2006 OM647 engines.
If your Sprinter is a 2004-2006 model and the original upper pulley fitted to your engine is smooth and slightly smaller (56 mm) in diameter, this slightly larger ribbed pulley is to be used as a replacement unit. This is the pulley now specified as the correct replacement for both upper and lower idlers on the Dodge parts diagram.
The part link should be here: (Updated Oct. 2012)
http://europarts-sd.com/serpentinebeltidlerpulley-small2002-2006.asp
If the link is no longer valid use these search words/info at Europarts.
Sprinter 2002-2006 Engine Cooling System
Serpentine Belt Idler Pulley-Small 2002-2006
Ribbed surface
2 required
Sold in increments of 1
70 mm O.D.
27 mm Thickness
There are two of these on all 5-cylinder engines.
*If your Sprinter is a 2004-2006 model and the original upper pulley fitted to your engine is smooth and slightly smaller (56 mm) in diameter, this slightly larger ribbed pulley is to be used as a replacement unit. This is the pulley now specified as the correct replacement for both upper and lower idlers on the Dodge parts diagram.
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My guess is that as a practical matter it has been discovered that the pulley alignment on the OM647 engine is OK for the grooved pulley design. It does mean that you now only need one pulley on hand as a spare if you trust the Europarts comment. I don't mean to suggest that you shouldn't trust the comment. I would be interested to know how much more tension that extra diameter adds to the belt system and therefore to the bearings? It's probably negligible. FWIW. vic
Yes, finally found that the shank of a 1/8 drill bit worked perfectly, as tight a fit as possible. Bit and ½ dr socket now reside in my tool bag for the motorhome, to be combined with my 2 ft Harbor Freight breaker bar, which I am also keeping in it for lugnut removal (with 19 mm socket and rather long extension) and a 2x6 with holes drilled staggered about 1-1/2 inch intervals to put the extension thru to stabilize it for loosening and tightening the rear wheels.As suggested by Dr. A, the nonworking end of a drill bit.