Joeycockerspaniel
Cumming, GA
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Joined: 10/17/2006
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Only 40,000 miles, and twice now my fan bearings are shot. This fan hub is completely sealed. There is no way to maintain it. It is not designed to be maintained. But so far, in the life of my Cat C-7, this part has to be replaced every 20,000 miles, which requires a major amount of work, removal of the radiator and all that entails. This is an expensive proposition.
The first time it happened, at 20,000 miles, the work was covered by Cat under warranty. Now they tell me that my warranty was up last August. The dealer service manager agrees with me that this should not be recurring. But he has been told that this is not under warranty.
Has anyone else had this problem? Do I have recourse?
Thanks very much!
Hank & Winde
Cumming, GA.
2006 Forest River Charleston
CAT C7
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pinn
eastern Canada
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Joined: 11/06/2011
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I drive a truck with a c7 cat everyday and haven't had this problem.The truck now has over 230,000 km's on it.Actually it is a great little engine,especially low end torque.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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The idler pulley on my engine went bad so I went online to order a replacement. I had a choice of several brands and opted for the most expensive, AC Delco brand, since it was made in Canada. I got the pulley and there it was stamped on the box and on the pulley itself "Made in Canada". On careful examination, I looked at the ONLY part that ever wears out on an idler pulley, the bearing itself. There it was....."Made in China". Perhaps you are having the same problem. Sometimes replacement parts are not what they seem to be. Just a thought.
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popeyemth
owensboro ky
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Joined: 08/19/2010
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perhaps the fan is out of balance....
"wine is a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy" ben franklin
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sailor_lou
Connecticut
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Joined: 04/01/2006
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I've heard of them failing, but not that frequently. Popeyemth made a good point about balance, which would induce additional stresses on the bearing. I'd also check the belt alignment to ensure it not getting pulled at some odd angle. Although I would have expected the dealer to note any abnormal conditions when they serviced it at 20K miles.
This might not be applicable in your case, but mine sits for months every winter so I slip the belt off the tensioner to eliminate the loading on the bearings when it sits. It only takes a few moments to do and I believe helps all the bearings (alternator, water pump, idler, etc). Good luck.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy
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RCtime
So. Calif.
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Joined: 01/18/2004
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When it is replaced this time, replace it with the pulley that has the zirk fitting and can be lubed. Same pully as yours, just used on previous years models
Yours should not have failed in this short of time, especially twice and perhaps a call to Caterpiller migh result in some sort of $ goodwill reimbursement for you.
Ron
2002 34HD Winnebago Journey DL, Cat. 330/freightliner
2004 Honda CRV - Garmin 1490t
Great wife & Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
TT/N
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RCtime
So. Calif.
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http://www.irv2.com/forums/f124/fan-grease-fitting-113411.html
Check out this thread
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lanerd
Newport, OR
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Joined: 03/03/2003
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Hank... check with Brett Wolfe (Wolfe10). He is our resident CAT expert and he should be able to help you out with this question. Send him a private message if you like, but the rest of us CAT owners sure would like to hear his answer. I'm surprised he hasn't already chipped in here.
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35 CAT C7
Toad: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT2
Tow Bar: Sterling AT
Toad Brakes: Unified U.S. Gear
TPMS: Pressure Pro
Member of: GS, FMCA, Safari Intl, CAT
RETIRED!! How sweet it is....
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MeanderMan
Fulltiming Somewhere
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Joined: 12/23/2005
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Mine failed at 28K miles, just under the warranty. I expect it to fail again, not because of pulley tension, belt alignment, or any other reason other than poor design. When it does, I'll be writing CAT and fighting for reimbursement for a badly engineered part.
USAF CMSgt (Retired)
Happily Fulltiming Somewhere
2006 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
2010 Ford Escape
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jones4110
Champlin, MN
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Did your fans offer any pre-failure symtoms such as squealing or other sounds? If so what were they and did they occur at any special circumstance such as high RPM?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Joan and Bruce
05 Excursion 39L
powered by 350 KittyCATS on a Spartan
2010 Traverse LT toad (Blue Ox & Breakbuddy)
...and a "road dog" named Max and his gabby sister, Abby.
"May the wind be always at your back and your destination the one you chose"
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