Serpentine accessory belt and tensioner replacement on VP D4-260 C-28

[scross]

Has anyone had this done yet? Parts costs seem straightforward but I’m getting labor estimates from 2 hours to 9 hours total for the work. That’s a really wide swing!
BTW, we are at 8 years and 650 hours on the engine. No issues with the belt other than age.

 

[American Flyer]

Just had it done last year on our D4-300. It is pretty straight forward but near impossible for one person to tighten the belt due to limited access. Also, be sure you get a mechanic who will actually use a torque wrench to tighten the belt as instructed in the service manual. I went through three mechanics who said it was “good enough” to just get it tight. Belt kept squealing until I found a mechanic who would do it right. It took two people to get it tight enough and secure the bolts at the same time. I would say two hours or less for one person except for the last 5 minutes of tightening. It takes a lot more torque than an average fan belt. I did not replace the tensioner as this was not required by the service manual. Did yours have a problem?

 

[markzorad]

We just had both belts (D6-440 500 hours) done last week by Pacific Power in Kent.
Even though the belts were in good shape, I alway err on the side of caution as we go way offshore at times.
Great Volvo mechanics and it appears as if they did a great job but have not done a sea trial yet.
Because it is so difficult to get to them, it wasnt cheap....

 

[TristenT]

Probably the easiest job to do your self on the Volvos.

 

[Mastercraft]

It can be a one person job once you figure it out. It's a puzzle to figure out process. I don't know how it could be easier with two people. I carry a torque wrench on boat. This is for R29.

 

[TristenT]

It can be a one person job once you figure it out. It's a puzzle to figure out process. I don't know how it could be easier with two people. I carry a torque wrench on boat. This is for R29.

Yeah not sure how you’d fit two people in there? Really really tiny humans?

 

[CaptT]

I am getting ready to do this same thing and have been doing my research and stretching, (the admiral calls it procrastination), exercises over the past few weeks. I also have the same boat, a C28 D4 260 hp, and am definitely not looking forward to this task.
With all of this in mind, does anyone have any hints on how to make it as painless as possible, besides hiring a mechanic, which I am still seriously considering.
Oh well........its back to the procrast.....I mean stretching and planning.
Terry

 

[OverTime]

Just had it done last year on our D4-300. It is pretty straight forward but near impossible for one person to tighten the belt due to limited access. Also, be sure you get a mechanic who will actually use a torque wrench to tighten the belt as instructed in the service manual. I went through three mechanics who said it was “good enough” to just get it tight. Belt kept squealing until I found a mechanic who would do it right. It took two people to get it tight enough and secure the bolts at the same time. I would say two hours or less for one person except for the last 5 minutes of tightening. It takes a lot more torque than an average fan belt. I did not replace the tensioner as this was not required by the service manual. Did yours have a problem?

Great info! Did the mechanic come to the boat or did you take it somewhere? Thanks.

 

[American Flyer]

Great info! Did the mechanic come to the boat or did you take it somewhere? Thanks.

Mechanic came to the boat. Removing and replacing the belt was simple. The adjustment was pretty easy with two of us. Nobody actually “ got in there”. The mechanic half stood in the engine compartment where he could reach the tensioner bolts, I lay down on the floor of the salon with my arms straight down in front of the engine holding the torque wrench at the proper torque while the mechanic tightened the bolts on the tensioner. It would be really hard tightening those bolts with one hand while simultaneously holding 80nm (59 ft. lbs.) on the torque wrench while not being able to see either one very clearly! The previous mechanic tried twice but could not get it correct.