Serpentine belt

MARILYN VELAZQUEZ

MEMBER
1999 DODGE CARAVAN

Engine Mechanical problem 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 130000 miles

The serpintine belt came off. Can you give me an estimate as to how much this part will cost and how much repairs can run. Is it something that I could do myself. I do not have a lot of mechanical repair experience. I am sorry but due to financial difficulties I cannot donate anything right now. My wife has recently been put on Social Security Disability and so our income has dropped drastically. I would very much appreciate your help. Thank you

3 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello - Even if you have some mechanical ability, I believe you can put this belt on. I have attached the routing of the belt. If you don't understand something feel free to reply back to us and let us know the part that is confusing.

The belt is about $32.00 at Auto Zone. You can also use the tool loan program and loan out a belt tool for the tensionor.

A more important question though, is belts just don't come off. The concern is "Why" did it? What caused it? You need to really look the engine over, the pulleys, the belt tensionor etc to see if something is damage that caused the belt to come off.

The Poly-V serpentine drive belt is provided with a dynamic tensioner to maintain proper belt tension to drive the following components:

generator
power steering pump
air conditioning compressor
water pump

REMOVAL
Raise vehicle on hoist.

Remove accessory drive belt splash shield. WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW DRIVE BELT TENSIONER TO SNAP BACK, AS DAMAGE TO TENSIONER AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.
Release belt tension by rotating the tensioner clockwise.
Remove drive belt.

INSTALLATION
Properly route and position belt onto all pulleys, except for the tensioner pulley.
Rotate belt tensioner clockwise until belt can be installed onto the tensioner pulley. Slowly release belt tensioner.
Verify belt is properly routed and engaged on all pulleys.
Install splash shield and lower vehicle.