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Topic: Running a diesel engine without belts (Read 1179 times) previous topic - next topic

Running a diesel engine without belts

Recently someone posted that you could run your diesel engine without the belts being connected simply by starting the generator.

I am curious.  Is this really possible?  Would there be any negative aspects of doing this?

George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #1 –
George, go to your engine bay and look in. If you have an ISM you will see two belts. One to the alternator and the other to the AC compressor.  That is all they run as the rest is all internal. 

2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #2 –
John,
 
Got it.  Recently had a leak in  the seal on the oil pump in back of one of the pulleys.  So I take it that the oil pump is not driven by the belt.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #3 –
As John suggested, you need to look at your engine to determine exactly is belt driven on your coach.

There is no "one answer fits all".

Example, on our coach (Cat 3116) there are three belts:  Water pump belt (mandatory), hydraulic fan pump (mandatory) and serpentine belt which drives the alternator and A/C compressor (NOT mandatory).

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #4 –
I am just trying to learn more about my engine and diesel in general. If I knew what I was looking at, I would not be asking these dumb questions.  So, dumb questions #2:  I am still wondering if there are any deleterious effects from running an M11 without the belts attached?  Not that I am planning on doing so, but it would be good to know in the unlikely event that I ever find myself in that situation.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #5 –
George,

Please post a picture of your engine's belts.  That will allow a specific answer to your engine to be made.

My 1995 M-11 is Plane Jane.  It has a belt for the alternator and a belt for the A/C compressor.  With boost switch ON, generator running, inverter/charger ON, you can drive all day just fine.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #6 –
Quote
I am still wondering if there are any deleterious effects from running an M11 without the belts attached?  Not that I am planning on doing so, but it would be good to know in the unlikely event that I ever find myself in that situation.

You wont have dash air (Belt #1)
You can run generator to charge batteries as belt number 2 is the charging alternator.
So knowing that it is not a problem running the engine.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #7 –
There are no dumb questions. There may be dim people, but I haven't found any that belong to this group...
 
Quote
On 8/31/2010 3:12 PM, George Stoltz wrote: 
I am just trying to learn more about my engine and diesel in general. If I knew what I was looking at, I would not be asking these dumb questions. So, dumb questions #2: I am still wondering if there are any deleterious effects from running an M11 without the belts attached? Not that I am planning on doing so, but it would be good to know in the unlikely event that I ever find myself in that situation.
 
George & Sandy Stoltz with Trixie, the PBGV. Traveling this great country in "Moose" our 2000 U320 4010 with artwork by Xtreme Graphics and pulling a CR-V with plain factory paint. Build #5740.
 
See our blog and read about what we are up to at:
http://sangeo-travels.blogspot.com/
 
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #8 –
George,

With the M-11 you don't even need to run the generator if you don't need A/C.  Just turn the boost switch on and go.  The electrical demands of the engine and trans computers are very low.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R
 

Re: Running a diesel engine without belts

Reply #9 –
I agree with Brett (the other Brett) just as long as battery voltage stays above 12.2 VDC.

Things like driving with lights on, dash fan, etc all take their toll.

If voltage (dash gauge) falls below about 12.2, start the generator and let the inverter/charger (with boost switch ON on some models) keep both house and chassis battery banks charged.

Better to err on the side of insuring adequate battery voltage by running the generator, than to find out you have run the batteries down to the point where you can't start the engine or generator!

Brett Wolfe
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020