1999 Dodge Neon Belt Half Off Pulley

DODGE NEON
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PAUL STEIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1999 neon with 376,000. Lower belt did squeek because of leaking radiator hose that was replaced. Belt still squeeked and I noticed it was only half on pully. One mechanic said it was possibly a tensioner, another said it was multiple problems with water pump, timing belt, pully, three days of work and $800 at best. I finally took it to a dealer and he said the pully had been bent by replacing the lower belt when last water pump was replaced so he replaced belt and pully and showed me the parts that had "thrown a tooth." The squeeking stopped but the belt is still only half on the new pully which has made no difference. Nothing was said about any tensioner by the dealer. Suggestions?
Apr 16, 2006 at 12:47 PM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
You'll think nothing wrong when the half on belt comes off. It will cause major damage. Go back and make the mechanic fix the problem. Don't take no for an answer. he should of made it right. That is one reason that us good and professional mechanics get a bad name from jerks like that. I'll get off my soap box. Good luck
Apr 16, 2006 at 12:55 PM

Suggested Repair

Return the car to the dealer or mechanic and insist the lower belt be correctly seated and aligned on the pulley. A belt riding halfway off can come off and cause major damage. Have pulley alignment, belt routing, and tension checked and corrected.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Dodge Neon with very high mileage had a lower belt squeak after a leaking radiator hose was replaced. The belt still squeaked and sat only halfway on a pulley. One shop suggested a tensioner; another cited the water pump, timing belt, and pulley as costly problems. A dealer replaced a pulley said to have been bent during an earlier water-pump job and showed parts that had thrown a tooth. The squeak stopped, but the belt still rode halfway on the new pulley. The expert warned that the belt can come off and cause major damage and advised returning so the mechanic corrects the problem.

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