Author Topic: 3126 b water pump belt replacement  (Read 2937 times)

Daniel McShane

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3126 b water pump belt replacement
« on: May 17, 2019, 02:17:33 AM »
I'm in the process of replacing the main belt tensioner adjuster due to squealing and excessive movement. Got tensioner off and indeed bad, grinding sound coming from bearings. Local Cat dealer had one but I'm finding out it's an easy rebuild, $240 from Cat. But now I'm having trouble getting the water pump belt over the harmonic balancer, is there a trick or does the balancer have to be removed? I hope not.
1999 Monterey Trinidad 30 ft
Cat 3126b
2009 Jeep Wrangler toad

Mike Shumack

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Re: 3126 b water pump belt replacement
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2019, 02:09:06 PM »
I have not seen a setup where the belt is smaller than the balancer diameter. Can you post a picture?

Here's a shot of a typical water pump drive belt (balancer pulley to water pump to belt tensioner). The belt is plenty long enough to come off - the tensioner is the pulley under the water pump (and needs to be loosened to get belt off).
How is yours different?


Daniel McShane

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  • Posts: 24
Re: 3126 b water pump belt replacement
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2019, 01:36:02 AM »
Thanks Mike I got it once I figured it out it was fairly easy, inverting the belt makes it easier which I read sonewhere in my search. A local truck shop wanted 3 hours labor, I can now do it in 30 minutes.
1999 Monterey Trinidad 30 ft
Cat 3126b
2009 Jeep Wrangler toad