Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 16, 2025 ...

Dodged a bullet

July 17, 2012, 05:44:06 pm

While doing routine look at after oil change and service heard a squeaky noise near engine.  Took a while but mechanic found it. 
Alternator was rubbing against the BLOCK.
There is a strap from the alternator to the block at the point where bolt is used to fasten down the Water pump on the 8.3.  The lower bolt was missing and the EAR of the water pump was wallowed out. We found the bolt has loosened and broken  off at the water pump flange.  We were able to get the broken bolt out and the wallowed out area of the water pump flange was not a big deal as the pump was not leaking.  Then we found the forward bolt on the EAR of the alternator was gone.
We replaced it and reset and locked everything down and noise is gone.
Had the last bolt on the alternator broken off there would have been h... to pay, probably would have resulted in major damage to alternator, water pump, belts and whatever else was hit as things came apart.  As it was an hour labor and two bolts did the trick and I owe the mechanic a case of beer.
LESSON, inspect everthing and then inspect it again, Murphy's law will jump up and get you when you least expect it.
Gary B

Quote Selected

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #1 – July 17, 2012, 06:10:03 pm

Found the same bolt thru waterpump broken on mine.  Chickened out using the EZ out when I figured it was about to break, ended up drilling, tapping, blue loctite and lock washer.  Oh yeah, if that puppy came loose and started whipping around like a 300 HP warrior swinging a mace I'd hate to think of the damage. 

That bolt might be something others should check. 

Quote Selected

Re: Dodged a bullet

Reply #2 – July 17, 2012, 09:37:56 pm

I'm going to check mine tomorrow,Thanks

Quote Selected