Just a heads up....

[Soupy]

My 2003 dually has 43,650 km on it (27,281 miles). While starting it two weeks ago in my yard it barely turned over. I tried it again and once again it barely turned over but the engine started. I made note to self to have the batteries tested asap. I load tested the batteriws and they were fine. Hmmm. After driving 3.5 hrs each way to pick up a travel trailer and stopping along the way for rest breaks the truck never failed to start. I parked it for two days and on July 1st I tried to start it. It turned over very slow but started. Within 5 seconds there was a loud screeching noise and blue smoke eminating from the front of the engine hood. I shut it off asap and could smell burnt rubber. After opening the engine hoos I saw the destroyed seerpentine belt. Further checking showed that the a/c compressor clutch was seized up solid. I took it into my buddies a/c shop today and I now have to order a new/rebuilt compressor complete with clutch. The unit was toast. Other than the hard starting which was totally out of the ordinary I never heard anything that would lead me to think that a bearing etc were going out. Just thought I would pass this on. Luckly I did not break down on the hwy. I will be checking that clutch from now on and if it feels tight I will be taking action.

Brian