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Caravan/Voyager Serpentine Belt

31 messages,  Last post on Sep 04, 2008 at 11:21 AM

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#10 of 31 Re: Serpentine belt problem [flavife] by rbbartho Mar 06, 2007 (1:42 pm)
Replying to: flavife (Mar 06, 2007 12:44 pm) Hi Frank,   I checked this and, YES, there is a service bulletin which requires a new belt, tensioner and a shield. They also have a Pulley guard (essentially a washer that keeps the belt from slipping off Chrysler part # 500 3480 AA. I'm on my way to get that right now. I will try to put the belt on myself. May need some special tool to tension the belt and will find out and let you guys know. Chrysler sucs, in my opinion. I called them in Detroit and got no help. They should have told us about this a long time ago. This will be my 6th belt and lots of aggravation. Next time I'm buying a Toyota. Replies to this message: flavife (Mar 06, 2007 3:04 pm) shipo (Mar 06, 2007 7:13 pm) jcumbo (Mar 09, 2007 5:24 pm)
#11 of 31 Re: Serpentine belt problem [rbbartho] by flavife Mar 06, 2007 (3:04 pm)
Replying to: rbbartho (Mar 06, 2007 1:42 pm) I have a 99 Grand Caravan with 3.3L engine. I made a plywood stick 10" long 1" wide out of 5/8" plywood that I use to hold the tensioner compressed to remove the belt. I have a slight angle on one end of the stick to better prop it against the tensioner. I use a long box end wrench on the tensioner bolt and press just enough to compress the tensioner and wedge the stick in to hold the tensioner down. This allows me to remove the belt and replace it or to replace the idler wheels.   Frank
#12 of 31 Re: Serpentine belt problem [rbbartho] by shipo Mar 06, 2007 (7:13 pm)
Replying to: rbbartho (Mar 06, 2007 1:42 pm) "Next time I'm buying a Toyota."   Hmmm, serpentine belt problems or engine sludge, take your pick. Personally I'll deal with the serpentine belt and be happy that my engine is spotless in the inside after 135,000 miles (as of today).   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: jcumbo (Mar 09, 2007 5:24 pm)
#13 of 31 Re: Serpentine belt problem [flavife] by rbbartho Mar 09, 2007 (10:21 am)
Replying to: flavife (Mar 06, 2007 12:44 pm) I got the Goodyear fix done yesterday instead. But this appears identical to the Gates fix. The kit sells for about $130 plus $100 to install by Goodyear Auto Center. Too early to tell and will keep you guys posted. The Chrysler fix of Bulletin 07-02-99 is just to add a pulley guard (a washer & longer bolt) adjacent to the tensioner pulley. It could be the answer too but time will tell as well.
#14 of 31 Re: Serpentine belt problem [shipo] by jcumbo Mar 09, 2007 (5:24 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Mar 06, 2007 7:13 pm) Sludge may suck, but having your wife and children completely lose power steering, etc... is no comparison. Given the wrong situation, this could cause a major accident (and may already have) and Chrystler jerked us all around for too long before putting through this bulletin. This board was full of complaints about this issue, but the dealership said it was unheard of?! To be fair, the van is at 111k and has been great other than this hair-raising issue.
#15 of 31 1996 Caravan Serpentine belt by lizaleo Mar 25, 2007 (3:00 pm)
The belt slipped off te pullys- Does not look too worn to me but squealed for like 10,000 miles. Is this a do it yourself job? and should I buy a new belt? I took a look at it and it seems rather tight to get your hand in there. Replies to this message: rbbartho (Apr 01, 2007 3:36 pm) rbbartho (Dec 19, 2007 7:16 am)
#16 of 31 Re: 1996 Caravan Serpentine belt [lizaleo] by rbbartho Apr 01, 2007 (3:36 pm)
Replying to: lizaleo (Mar 25, 2007 3:00 pm) I had mine fixed at Goodyear Auto Center. Cost me about $230 total.   You can get the same kit, made by Gates, from midwayautosales.com ($116 including shipping. Depends on whether you have the 3.0 or 3.3 liter) and do it yourself.   You have to removed the front right wheel and the water deflection shield below to get access to the pulleys. You may need a wrench to tension the tension pulley to slip the belt on. Replies to this message: rbbartho (Dec 19, 2007 7:16 am)
#17 of 31 Passing Inspection -- Serpentine Belt by lfulwider Apr 13, 2007 (3:07 pm)
My 1997 Voyager runs fine, belt doesn't squeak or fall off. A Chrysler dealer replaced the tensioner and belt with factory parts 12,000 miles ago. The pulley is offset from the belt so that the belt rides flush with the passenger side of the pulley, and 1/8 inch of pulley shows on the driver's side of the belt. The inspector insisted the belt be centered. I added a spacer so that it would pass inspection, which it did. Did I make a mistake? Is the pulley intentionally offset 1/8 inch? Should I remove the spacer now that I have a sticker?   lfulwider Replies to this message: chrismitchell (Jul 09, 2007 6:15 pm)
#18 of 31 Re: Passing Inspection -- Serpentine Belt [lfulwider] by chrismitchell Jul 09, 2007 (6:15 pm)
Replying to: lfulwider (Apr 13, 2007 3:07 pm) Hi, I have been reading about this tensioner. I've got problems too. I live in New Zealand and I have a '99 short wheel base Voyager with 3.3l V6 engine. The tensioner is smooth and has no flange nor washer to hold on the belt. Anyway, today the black splined shaft has failed by fatigue crack and the whole tensioner unit has fallen off the motor. It is a first year of Uni classic fatigue crack with beech marks. If it had happened to me last night (driving 200km from Tauranga to Auckland) I would be dead at the bottom of a gulley, no question about it. Luckily I was only backing out of the garage. So, you'll be pleased to know the "export" versions don't get special treatment. Anyway, up to now I never lost a belt and for the last few months the belt did start squeaking at startup but quietened down when running. If your belt does start squeaking like mine then it could be that the tensioner is cracked causing the pulley set up a bit crooked. So, a full inspection of the tensioner including splined attachment shaft/axle is what I would recommend. If anyone else experienced this or if I am really just unlucky I'd be interested to know.
#19 of 31 Re: Serpentine belt problem [flavife] by rbbartho Jul 09, 2007 (7:31 pm)
Replying to: flavife (Mar 06, 2007 12:44 pm) The gates system or the Goodyear system are both identical and work very well. Try at Midway auto supply for about $100.00 ( Gates System).   I have the Goodyear system on my Dodge Minivan. You can get it at a Goodyear auto repair shop. It's going to cost you about $130 plus about $100 to install. This includes the new double ribbed belt, tensioner and pulley.    I am not happy with Chrsyler dealerships as I have replaced my serpentine belt at least 5 times until I found out about the service bulletin and Gates/Goodyear systems. I didn't try the Chrysler fix even though the part (a washer) is only $15.00, after they are done with with replacing the belt, tensioner and spacer it's going to cost you more than $300.00 (In Seattle.)   Shop it out. My math told me to go with the Goodyear kit. It's been more than 4 months and the belt looks good.

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