1995 Dodge Caravan Squeak coming form engine compartment

Hi 5haunath1n. Welcome to the forum. Often the serpentine belt will become glazed on the smooth back side or it can pick up rust and dirt particles that squeak as the belt slides across one of the pulleys. A fast way to prove it's the belt is to spray or dribble a little water on it while the engine is idling. If the noise gets worse or goes away, try scuffing the belt with a wire brush but be careful to prevent the brush from getting caught between the belt and a spinning pulley.

Misalignment of the spring-loaded tensioner pulley will force the belt to walk sideways across that pulley as it goes around it. To check for that, sight straight down over the highest section of the belt, past the section on the idler / tensioner pulley, and on to the pulley on the crankshaft. All three sections should be inline. If the section going over the tensioner pulley is peeking out to the side, usually about 1/8 inch, the tensioner and belt should be replaced.

Caradiodoc

None of the pulleys should be wobbling at all. A quick test is to remove the belt and run the engine, but if you're sure that's not the source of the noise, it might be time to dig out a stethoscope. Use a pry bar by the right engine mount to move the engine sideways slightly in both directions. If the squeak stops, check the front engine mount brackets. The front part that's bolted to the body under the radiator has slotted mounting holes. If it is bolted off-center, the two metal brackets can rub against each other. Also check that the square metal tube in the center of the rubber isolator isn't cracked, and the rubber isn't torn allowing metal parts to rub.

Check that the engine is sitting level. If the driver's side is low, check for a torn rubber isolator in the left transmission mount. That one can be hard to see unless you remove the left wheel.

Do you only hear the noise when standing still or does the van have to be moving? If it only occurs when moving, there are a number of suspension-related things to look for, but if you hear it while standing still, the problem will have to be engine-related. Are there any other clues, such as it only occurs when the engine is warmed up, it goes away when there's pressure on the steering wheel, etc?

Caradiodoc

I'd head to an auto parts store for a stethoscope; about 12 bucks as I recall.

Caradiodoc