If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
1999 Caravan Serpentine Belt Issue
Hi, My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few things: 1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. 2.) The internet is full of Dodge hating folk that lose their serpentine belts whenever it gets a little wet. Apparently there was never a recall, and all a dealer will do is replace parts where the fault appears to be in the design. The only sure thing after servicing the problem is the bill will be stiff. 3.) I have run across some references concerning a bracket used in snow states, and some other guy that uses GM parts to fix the problem. The bracket part number was not a good one, and the GM guy wants money to make it worth his while. So far the new belt is staying on. I can however see that the tensioning idler is a little bit crooked, and I guess this is the crux of the problem. Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife or daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded. I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group have been doing about it? Regards, Jim Candela |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
it's one of the chronic problems with the 3.3L V6. The tensioner fails,
in my case on a '98 Grand Caravan the bracket bent out of alignment at 37,000 miles, causing belt slippage, glazing, squealing and a ratcheting sound at start-up. Can eventually throw the belt. There is a replacement tensioner that fixes the mounting/alignment issue. Sad commentary on "Chrysler engineering". Jim Candela wrote: >Hi, > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real >complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to >school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and >still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few >things: > >1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with >a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The >trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an >obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > >2.) The internet is full of Dodge hating folk that lose their serpentine >belts whenever it gets a little wet. Apparently there was never a recall, >and all a dealer will do is replace parts where the fault appears to be in >the design. The only sure thing after servicing the problem is the bill will >be stiff. > >3.) I have run across some references concerning a bracket used in snow >states, and some other guy that uses GM parts to fix the problem. The >bracket part number was not a good one, and the GM guy wants money to make >it worth his while. > > So far the new belt is staying on. I can however see that the tensioning >idler is a little bit crooked, and I guess this is the crux of the problem. >Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife or >daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded. > >I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group >have been doing about it? > >Regards, >Jim Candela > |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
it's one of the chronic problems with the 3.3L V6. The tensioner fails,
in my case on a '98 Grand Caravan the bracket bent out of alignment at 37,000 miles, causing belt slippage, glazing, squealing and a ratcheting sound at start-up. Can eventually throw the belt. There is a replacement tensioner that fixes the mounting/alignment issue. Sad commentary on "Chrysler engineering". Jim Candela wrote: >Hi, > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real >complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to >school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and >still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few >things: > >1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with >a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The >trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an >obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > >2.) The internet is full of Dodge hating folk that lose their serpentine >belts whenever it gets a little wet. Apparently there was never a recall, >and all a dealer will do is replace parts where the fault appears to be in >the design. The only sure thing after servicing the problem is the bill will >be stiff. > >3.) I have run across some references concerning a bracket used in snow >states, and some other guy that uses GM parts to fix the problem. The >bracket part number was not a good one, and the GM guy wants money to make >it worth his while. > > So far the new belt is staying on. I can however see that the tensioning >idler is a little bit crooked, and I guess this is the crux of the problem. >Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife or >daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded. > >I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group >have been doing about it? > >Regards, >Jim Candela > |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 05:02:55 GMT, "Jim Candela" >
wrote: > >Hi, > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real >complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to >school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and >still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few >things: > >1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with >a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The >trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an >obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > [snip] >I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group >have been doing about it? > >Regards, >Jim Candela I do #1 on my 3.3v6 about every oil change or if it even hints at squealing. The tensioner tends to get stuck. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 05:02:55 GMT, "Jim Candela" >
wrote: > >Hi, > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real >complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to >school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and >still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few >things: > >1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with >a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The >trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an >obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > [snip] >I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group >have been doing about it? > >Regards, >Jim Candela I do #1 on my 3.3v6 about every oil change or if it even hints at squealing. The tensioner tends to get stuck. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Thats just two funny, the reason why your belt is falling off is because it
needs a tensioner, its wore out!! when the belt is at an angle and water hits it, dont you think it will slide off??? Get real pal, dont blame Chrysler for your ignorance... when your tires wear out do you think Goodyear will recall them??? Are you gonna get mad at auto zone now because they sold you a faulty belt that slides off in the rain? <<<< I guess this is the crux of the problem. Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife or daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded.<<< I wonder how many husbands put there wives out in a car knowing that a tensioner is bad??? this is just to funny..>>>>>>> wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group > have been doing about it?<<<<<< I would say that the ones that see the tensioner is faulty would replace it before sending someone back out on the road. Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech > "Jim Candela" > wrote in message m... > > Hi, > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real > complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to > school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and > still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few > things: > > 1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with > a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The > trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an > obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > > 2.) The internet is full of Dodge hating folk that lose their serpentine > belts whenever it gets a little wet. Apparently there was never a recall, > and all a dealer will do is replace parts where the fault appears to be in > the design. The only sure thing after servicing the problem is the bill will > be stiff. > > 3.) I have run across some references concerning a bracket used in snow > states, and some other guy that uses GM parts to fix the problem. The > bracket part number was not a good one, and the GM guy wants money to make > it worth his while. > > So far the new belt is staying on. I can however see that the tensioning > idler is a little bit crooked, and I guess this is the crux of the problem. > Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife or > daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded. > > I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group > have been doing about it? > > Regards, > Jim Candela > > |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Thats just two funny, the reason why your belt is falling off is because it
needs a tensioner, its wore out!! when the belt is at an angle and water hits it, dont you think it will slide off??? Get real pal, dont blame Chrysler for your ignorance... when your tires wear out do you think Goodyear will recall them??? Are you gonna get mad at auto zone now because they sold you a faulty belt that slides off in the rain? <<<< I guess this is the crux of the problem. Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife or daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded.<<< I wonder how many husbands put there wives out in a car knowing that a tensioner is bad??? this is just to funny..>>>>>>> wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group > have been doing about it?<<<<<< I would say that the ones that see the tensioner is faulty would replace it before sending someone back out on the road. Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech > "Jim Candela" > wrote in message m... > > Hi, > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real > complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to > school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and > still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few > things: > > 1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with > a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The > trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an > obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > > 2.) The internet is full of Dodge hating folk that lose their serpentine > belts whenever it gets a little wet. Apparently there was never a recall, > and all a dealer will do is replace parts where the fault appears to be in > the design. The only sure thing after servicing the problem is the bill will > be stiff. > > 3.) I have run across some references concerning a bracket used in snow > states, and some other guy that uses GM parts to fix the problem. The > bracket part number was not a good one, and the GM guy wants money to make > it worth his while. > > So far the new belt is staying on. I can however see that the tensioning > idler is a little bit crooked, and I guess this is the crux of the problem. > Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife or > daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded. > > I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group > have been doing about it? > > Regards, > Jim Candela > > |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Bill if your tensioner gets stuck, replace it, that is the sign of one going
bad, that is also how they get crooked, from the torque of the engine......the tensioner is supposed to be able to move with the torque. replace it now before it breaks. that is one of the first things i do when a vhicle comes inot the shop is pull on the belt to see if the tensioner moves Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech "Bill Hepler" > wrote in message ... > On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 05:02:55 GMT, "Jim Candela" > > wrote: > > > > >Hi, > > > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real > >complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to > >school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and > >still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few > >things: > > > >1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with > >a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The > >trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an > >obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > > > [snip] > >I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group > >have been doing about it? > > > >Regards, > >Jim Candela > > I do #1 on my 3.3v6 about every oil change or > if it even hints at squealing. The tensioner > tends to get stuck. > |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Bill if your tensioner gets stuck, replace it, that is the sign of one going
bad, that is also how they get crooked, from the torque of the engine......the tensioner is supposed to be able to move with the torque. replace it now before it breaks. that is one of the first things i do when a vhicle comes inot the shop is pull on the belt to see if the tensioner moves Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech "Bill Hepler" > wrote in message ... > On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 05:02:55 GMT, "Jim Candela" > > wrote: > > > > >Hi, > > > > My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real > >complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to > >school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and > >still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a few > >things: > > > >1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better with > >a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. The > >trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an > >obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. > > > [snip] > >I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group > >have been doing about it? > > > >Regards, > >Jim Candela > > I do #1 on my 3.3v6 about every oil change or > if it even hints at squealing. The tensioner > tends to get stuck. > |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Glenn,
It's attitudes like yours that keep me out of Chrysler dealerships. I've always liked mopars, and hated their service. They rip you off, don't know what their talking about, and have an attitude to boot. Hard to imagine how you guys sleep at night. I presume you will never admit there is a problem with the design. I guess my belt falls off because I'm arrogant. Maybe it falls off because there is a problem with pulley alignment and the tensioner when worn somewhat either sticks, or angles down from the belt tension. Why can't this design last 100,000 miles? It does on lots of other (Jap) cars. Why do so many folk less arrogant than I have this problem? Could it be that the design, or vendor who builds the pulley / belt system have a quality issue, and Chrysler managers bury their heads in the sand because the dealerships are making a killing replacing parts over and over and over again? Here are some of your satisfied customers: From http://www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecom...w_30931_1.html 4th Jan 2004, 16:04 We have a 1999 Dodge Caravan and the serpentine belt has slipped off at least six or seven times. I am now afraid to drive the car in rain. Yesterday, I came out of a car-wash and it happened while turning onto a busy intersection. Lost control of my steering. Scary and especially so because I had my three kids with me. We could have been killed by this. I wonder if anyone has been killed by this problem. Why hasn't this been recalled? The dealer told me that they are putting a splash shield under the car to keep the belt dry! What's with that? (!) That's the part to fix the problem? I don't know why there's been no recall. 20th Jan 2004, 11:20 I brought my 99 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport in to have the serpentine belt replaced at 64,603. They told me the serpentine belt tensioner also needed to be replaced. Total cost: $130 dollars. I didn't think a tensioner should go bad that soon. Looking back since buying the van in March 99, the belt always squealed and I momentarily lost power steering when driving through standing water. I now believe the belt tensioner on my van has been bad from the beginning. I feel fortunate after reading the other comments on this problem. If you haven't had your belt tensioner replaced yet, I would recommend it. 20th Mar 2004, 07:03 I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan with 63,000 miles and have experienced many of the same issues mentioned here. The belt tensioner has just failed and I am replacing it now (it's a real pain to do it yourself, too). The tranny cooler lines have been leaking fluid and the resister block for the heater fan motor burned out. I like the layout of the Caravan for family travel, but the vehicle is too poorly designed mechanically for me to consider buying another one. 10th Apr 2004, 17:57 Does anyone have any experience of replacing the serpentine belt with a Goodyear Gatorback belt? I have heard of several instances where this has cured the problem although I am yet to be convinced. The Gatorback design on the ribbed side is different, but it is the smooth side that slips off the idler pulleys; the only way I can see that this design would help is if the extra grooves allow the belt to follow a tighter curve and thus grip the pulley tighter. I'm about to fit one anyway ($38) and I'll let you know if it helps - anything to make the vehicle safer for my wife on the school run. 10th May 2004, 07:39 My family has experienced the same problem with the serpentine belt and have the same safety concerns. The belt and tensioner on our 99 Grand Caravan SE was replaced under warranty in March 2002. After traveling through a small puddle of water in June 2003 the belt fell off and took the water pump with it. Again, the belt and tensioner was replaced. October of 2003 the belt was again replaced. Now, in May of 2004, again after traveling through a puddle of water (1/2" deep) the belt fell off. Each time the belt falls off there is no power steering which presents a serious safety risk. Perhaps Chrysler should address these concerns before someone is seriously injured. 27th May 2004, 17:29 My wife's 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Has threw the belt off twice this week. No Water involved just driving down the road and almost wrecking because of no power steering. You can see the belt tensioner is not lined up right (I have put two on) Should be a recall! 25th Jul 2004, 15:12 My daughter and son in law bought a new 1999 Dodge Caravan. The serpentine belt came off twice at 24000 miles. A new belt split after just 4 months of use. This week the tensioner and belt will be replaced. 26th Jul 2004, 09:53 My 1999 Grand Caravan Sport, 3.8 L with 48, 000 miles requires the second tensioner replacement in a year. Although I have never experienced the belt slipping off, the noise is quite a nuisance. There is a 1 year parts and labor warranty for replacement. I'm surprised that given all the attention to this problem, no recall or goodwill gesture has been extended. 5th Aug 2004, 18:43 Wow! I can't believe the amount of people with this problem (or maybe I can). Today the tensioner on my 2000 Grand Caravan went out. The bolt holding the tensioner in place (there is only 1!!! bolt) was sheared right in half. This sent the tensioner flying into the power steering mechanism and bent the pulley wheel for the power steering. Now the tensioner and pulley need to be replaced (to the tune of $325 dollars). Thank God this happened in my driveway instead of driving 75 MPH down the freeway or the van would have been impossible to control, seeing that my power steering went out immediately, not to mention that I would have overheated pretty quickly. My van only has 47,000 miles on it and the belt was just replaced about 1 1/2 months ago because it was making a horrid squealing noise. Dodge has a potentially serious problem on their hands with a defect of this nature. J.W. Houston, TX. The list goes on and on and on..... Thanks for all the positive input Glenn. "maxpower" > wrote in message ... > Thats just two funny, the reason why your belt is falling off is because > it > needs a tensioner, its wore out!! when the belt is at an angle and water > hits it, dont you think it will slide off??? Get real pal, dont blame > Chrysler for your ignorance... when your tires wear out do you think > Goodyear will recall them??? Are you gonna get mad at auto zone now > because > they sold you a faulty belt that slides off in the rain? <<<< I guess > this > is the crux of the problem. > Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife > or > daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded.<<< > I > wonder how many husbands put there wives out in a car knowing that a > tensioner is bad??? this is just to funny..>>>>>>> wonder how widespread > this problem is, and what the folks on this group >> have been doing about it?<<<<<< I would say that the ones that see the > tensioner is faulty would replace it before sending someone back out on > the > road. > > Glenn Beasley > Chrysler Tech >> > > > "Jim Candela" > wrote in message > m... >> >> Hi, >> >> My 1999 Caravan has been wonderful for 82,000 miles. My only real >> complaint was about the brakes until last week. While taking my kid to >> school in the rain, the serpentine belt popped off. It was original, and >> still looks pretty good to me. I replaced the belt anyway, and learned a > few >> things: >> >> 1.) The AutoZone de-tensioner that they rent is a POS, and I did better > with >> a ratcheting box end 15 mm wrench with a cheater bar over the other end. > The >> trick is to get the tensioner retracted enough before the tool hits an >> obstruction. The AutoZone tool could not do that. >> >> 2.) The internet is full of Dodge hating folk that lose their serpentine >> belts whenever it gets a little wet. Apparently there was never a recall, >> and all a dealer will do is replace parts where the fault appears to be >> in >> the design. The only sure thing after servicing the problem is the bill > will >> be stiff. >> >> 3.) I have run across some references concerning a bracket used in snow >> states, and some other guy that uses GM parts to fix the problem. The >> bracket part number was not a good one, and the GM guy wants money to >> make >> it worth his while. >> >> So far the new belt is staying on. I can however see that the >> tensioning >> idler is a little bit crooked, and I guess this is the crux of the > problem. >> Many folk seem to trade the van off because they won't dare let the wife > or >> daughter drive it around because they fear that they will get stranded. >> >> I wonder how widespread this problem is, and what the folks on this group >> have been doing about it? >> >> Regards, >> Jim Candela >> >> > > |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
1999 Dodge Grand Caravan | zoom16v | Dodge | 8 | October 17th 04 12:55 PM |
1999 Grand Caravan Power Steering | Mike Lenahan | Dodge | 2 | July 26th 04 10:59 PM |
LF - Hubcap for 1999 Dodge Caravan | gjong | Dodge | 0 | June 4th 04 09:51 PM |