The sweet smell of cooked bearings and belts

[scottm4211]

The ac idler pulley on my Express van seized last night with not much warning. A short period of the bearing getting noisier was followed by it seizing up and I limped to a garage last night.
Is there anything I should have been on the look out for? I wouldn't think there's any preventive maintenance or is there?
Not a big repair obviously, but a lost load to Minneapolis the week before Christmas kinda sucks.


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[chefdennis]

I replace the ider twice. Both times they were fine, but the 1st time was at 125,000 when the waterpump went bad and the 2nd was when the van hit 300,000 just to do it....there is a thread here by a guy that had a great PM service schedule for a GM van and most of it was replacing parts before they were bad....

 

[scottm4211]

My bad I probably should have done it last month when I had the rad and water pump replaced (around 250k).


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[LDB]

Do you have a bookmark of that thread? Thanks.

 

[greg334]

You always have those idler pulleys replaced when you are having a WP or A/C compressor work done, same with replacing the belt.

I have the link somewhere on my laptop Leo, I will post it when I find it.

The key is to replace the parts at specific intervals to prevent breakdowns, like a WP at 250k or having the alternator bearings and brushes replaced at 300k or replacing all the belts at 100k as part of the maintenance program of the vehicle. It is a lot like what aircraft owners do, they have to replace certain parts because of the life of the part is limited and in this business with some vehicles it makes a lot of sense.

 

[bluejaybee]

I remember that thread, too. At the time, I didn't think much of it. But now, it makes all kind of sense. You could replace alot of parts for what one wrecker bill cost you. The idea is not to break down and have those high priced on the road repairs. Actually, if you kept records, I bet the person who swaps out parts at intervals, would save money over someone who just replaced them when they failed. Especially when milking a million miles out of an american made van.

 

[x06col]

it is just simply called a sustainable pm program. When yer there, replace everything during a rebuild. Then look for something else that is getting dated. Keep some records, so's yer not shooting in the dark. Not too complicated. jes save some heartburn an do it.

 

[greg334]

it is just simply called a sustainable pm program. When yer there, replace everything during a rebuild. Then look for something else that is getting dated. Keep some records, so's yer not shooting in the dark. Not too complicated. jes save some heartburn an do it.

That's it, thanks.

 

[chefdennis]

Here you go Leo:

My Million Mile Chevy - Expedite NOW Magazine

 

[asjssl]

I have an 06 express w/ a 4.8.....just had the problem of the a/c tensioner pulley sqeuaking the other day on a load...nice thing is the a/c is on its own belt...cut the belt off and i was saved on that....for replacing parts b4 they go bad has always been my moto ..had my van in for a trans flush a month ago they dropped the pan and there was alot of metal shavings....@ 335,000 i said how much longer is she gonna go so in went a brand new Jasper...why there were @ it had them put in new idler pulleys belt and alternator wich were all original but still worked.... not a matter if... just WHEN it will fail.

 

[greg334]

When you say a lot of metal shavings, do you mean that there was so much that the fluid wasn't clear or that there was a small pool of debris in the pan like when you are panning for gold?

 

[asjssl]

Tag if I was in Alaska I would be rich

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[BobWolf]

One way to avoid AC idler bearings, temp/flow valve, as well as AC cluch problems to name a few is to run the AC a couple times a month for about half an hour even during winter of corse you can run the heat but place the selector in AC max setting. Also make suer your freon level is good.

 

[BobWolf]

If the metal looks like powder arround the magnet usualy this is normal as long as you have no problems with shifting and holding gear. If it slips and you have alot of miles, that is wear and may just need adjusting bits and peices of metal heavy like 80 grit sand paper or blackened fluid usualy time for a new trans.
STAY AWAY FROM TRANSMISION FLUSHING.
This is a major Gimick at transmision shops and quick lube shops this blows debris through the unit that can actualy dammage your transmision. Changing the fluid and filters by dropping the pan only should be suficient this rule also aplies to engines as well.