How do you relieve the tension to install a new serpentine belt on a 2000 Dodge Caravan?

Answer 1

For a 1999 Dodge Caravan 3.3 L I have to use a 15mm open/closed end wrench on the tensioner pulley. Use the closed end of the 15mm and pull toward you and use the end of a crescent wrench to use for additional torque. You can slip the belt over the fixed pulley (not the tensioner pulley). Give yourself more room by not using the hood bar and use instead a broomstick on the right side to prop the hood open. I recommend a goodyear gator belt too. Good Luck, you'll need it with a caravan.

Answer 2

Look at the belt and find the tensioner. You have to remove the tension from the belt in order to remove it. Different tensioners have different ways of removing the tension. On some there is a hole in the end that you insert a ratchet in and pry to remove tension. On others you just pry the idler one way or another to remove tension. If you look carefully you will figure this out. Be sure and check the idler and make sure it is in good condition. If it is loose or rolls with a noise, now is a good time to replace it.

Answer 3

Answer: There is no adjustment on an engine equipped with a serpentine belt. The belt tension is adjusted automatically by an idler pulley tensioner. If the belt is loose, then either the belt has stretched and needs replacing or the tensioner is bad and needs replacing.

Additional Information: The answer above is correct for the V-8 models.

However, the six-cylinder models are not so equipped and the belt is adjustable/removeable by loosening the two pivot bolts on the back of the Power Steering unit (you will see the two bolts placed in slots), then loosening the locknut/bolt(located directly underneath the powersteering unit pulley in front of powersteering unit) at which time you can turn the adjustment bolt (located on the driver side of the power steering unit underneath the powersteering fluid reservoir). Turn this bolt clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen.

If replacing the belt, be sure to route it exactly the same (on my vehicle the route is on a label under the hood) or you can cause water pump to rotate backwards, causing problems with the cooling system/water pump(not good for the car or the water pump

Answer 4

You can loosen your 1995 Chrysler Town and Country serpentine belt by loosening the tensioner pulley. Push the loosen the tensioner pulley to the right. The old serpentine belt can be easily removed. Put the new serpentine belt on and tighten the tensioner pulley by pushing it to the left.

Answer 5

Insert a ratchet or breaker bar in the belt tensioner and turn it slightly to release the pressure on the belt. Move the belt off the belt tensioner pulley and then release the belt tensioner. The belt should have plenty of slack in it now. Pay attention to the belt routing as you pull out the belt because the new one must go in the same routing. Make sure the belt is back in the proper route and then twist your belt tensioner and put the belt over the tensioner pulley. It should be tight again.

Answer 6

that is actually not a hard job. there should be a diagram near the radiator showing belt and pulleys. it is easiest to get at belt tensioner pulley from underneath the truck.you then route the belt where it needs to go, take note that the belt does not actuall go over the fan like in most vehicles. the belt is threaded thru all the pulleys . make sure that smooth side of belt only goes on smooth pulleys and ribbed side only goes on ribbed pulleys.once you have the belt routed on pulleys get at tensioner once again from underneath the vehicle.their is no need to remove anything at all other than the old belt to replace with new belt

this really is easier said than explained,but once you have accomplished it first time, any time in the future will be a breeze

Answer 7

There should be a schematic on the fan shroud. If not, go to a used car lot with a like car and draw a schematic.

Answer 8

he tensioner keeps the right amount of tension on the belt. If it is lose, the tensioner needs replaced.

Answer 9

You cannot tighten the belt. It has a tensioner that holds the proper tension. If the belt is loose then either the belt is worn out or the tensioner has failed.