Small part took down boat, ever check yours?

[Gallf1]

2008 SeaRay 380DA came in to the marina on one engine. Captain said it "threw the belt" and all the engine alarms went off. It ended up being the bearing in the belt idle tension/pulley exploded and sent shrapnel everywhere.
New one to match up locally could not be found, so they went home on one engine.

Made me think that I never really give that part much attention so I took mine off and went to auto parts store to match up with a new Dayco part. Bought two new ones (and another for a spare) for $40. Just one Mercruiser/Sierra part is over $38 plus shipping for the same exact Dayco part.

So anyone with Mercruiser 454 MAG MPI's....the correct Dayco part number is #89009

 

[Little Ducky]

Having a 98 290 DA with twin 5.0's when I tossed a belt I asked the marina parts department for one and they came back saying it's an odd part number that has to be ordered. Went to oreillys auto parts and the guy had me a belt that was very close in size and less then 1/4 the cost. So I bought 2 and changed belts on both engines.

 

[hottoddie]

In many cases where an engine "throws" a belt and the engine needs to be shut down that engine can be restarted when approaching the dock to dock normally. Keep that in mind when that day happens to you.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Having a 98 290 DA with twin 5.0's when I tossed a belt I asked the marina parts department for one and they came back saying it's an odd part number that has to be ordered. Went to oreillys auto parts and the guy had me a belt that was very close in size and less then 1/4 the cost. So I bought 2 and changed belts on both engines.

I was suffering intermittent engine shut down, Frank and Barlow both suggested a 12v relay that controls the fuel solenoid on my Caterpillars. I called the CAT dealership and they had it in stock for $25. I installed it and problem solved the old one was stamped Bosch. I took it to O'reilly's handed it to gal behind the counter, she said how many do you want, I said how much are they $6.00... I bought 3 replaced the other engine and carry 2 spares.

 

[370Dancer]

2008 SeaRay 380DA came in to the marina on one engine. Captain said it "threw the belt" and all the engine alarms went off. It ended up being the bearing in the belt idle tension/pulley exploded and sent shrapnel everywhere.
New one to match up locally could not be found, so they went home on one engine.

Made me think that I never really give that part much attention so I took mine off and went to auto parts store to match up with a new Dayco part. Bought two new ones (and another for a spare) for $40. Just one Mercruiser/Sierra part is over $38 plus shipping for the same exact Dayco part.

So anyone with Mercruiser 454 MAG MPI's....the correct Dayco part number is #89009

Thanks for the PN. The tensioner usually locks up because a .50 hose clamp has split somewhere around the FWC system, but always on the salt side, spraying a lovely mist of salt air all over the front of the engine.
I spent a summer getting 50 cented to death every time we went somewhere. No damage, but the aggravation of moving everyone out of the cockpit so I could change a hose clamp on a 180 degree engine in 95 degree weather finally made me change every clamp on both engines at the same time.

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Another great thing to keep an eye on is your harmonic balancer. I replaced both mine when i first got the boat due to the timing mark rusted and could not get a good mark on it. Well step forward 2 years and going out 1 day and start the port motor and got a nasty shimmy. Open hatch to find my port harmonic balancer had split apart. 2 pieces only together with a rubber center and had spun apart. Easy repair but a bitch to find on a saterday. Race car buddy told me to take white paint on a brush and paint a thin line from the top over rubber bushing to bottom. This way you can inspect it to make sure it has not slipped again. I inspect it whenever i open hatch with my normal pre check list.

 

[northern]

Having a 98 290 DA with twin 5.0's when I tossed a belt I asked the marina parts department for one and they came back saying it's an odd part number that has to be ordered. Went to oreillys auto parts and the guy had me a belt that was very close in size and less then 1/4 the cost. So I bought 2 and changed belts on both engines.

Long ago we had a sea water pump on main engine fail going to Alaska. We made it small town and a large private boat came in the chief on the boat asked if he could help. He asked how many pumps did I order, one. He said go order another change both and keep the good used one as a spare. You were wise to replace both. Make sure you have a spare.