Mercury Cummins belt tensioner

[Zundels]

Our 2009 R-25 Cummins 150 serpentine belt tensioner spring broke this week so our boat is idle at the dock. This belt is on the front of the engine and runs the battery generator, raw water engine coolant impeller, etc. Here is what I have found.

-The belt tensioner is reported to have had a high failure rate and for this reason is not available through many channels. Our Cummins team could not find the part and said it could be months to replace.
-The installed tensioner is made by VM, now part of the Chrysler corporation and used on Chrysler autos.
-If you need to get the part immediately, you can find it at many Chrysler auto parts departments, ask for part number 35612022F and the cost is around $205 plus shipping.
-The Merc Cruiser representative told me there is a NEW part number (which means they are remanufacturing the part) and that the new part number is 8M0077553. I found this part at this website: http://www.perfprotech.com, cost: $225

Any other Cummins owners with the tensioner failure?

Don

 

[Just Dreamin']

Don, Judy and I also have a 2009 R25 with the Cummins 150. No issue, yet, with the tensioner but thank you for the part numbers and where to obtain.

I am a little concerned since Cummins and Mercruiser have dissolved their Joint Venture which produced the QSD product line that spare parts and service might become harder to obtain as time goes on. My understanding was Mercruiser has assumed responsibility for service, etc.; therefore, I called Mercruiser regarding this and found out that yes they have assumed full support of the QSD product line. I am not sure how this will play out with local Cummins distributors, for my location in Ohio Cummins will still support as they also have responsibility for service of Zeus drive systems which is also Mercruiser. I am guessing it may be an individual distributor call on level of support to the QSD. What I have found it is very hard for the Cummins service folks to interface with the QSD ECM and Smartcraft as they have to have what appears to me a special software program from Mercruiser and appropriate cable hook ups. This may become fun or sad!

Mike