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.
Serpentine puller
To loosen the tension on a serpentine belt on a 2005 Grand Caravan 3.8L, turn the nut of the belt tension pulley to loosen it. Adjust the belt, then tighten the tension pulley by turning the nut in the opposite direction.
Regardless of what year your Caravan is, it is extremely difficult to replace a serpentine belt w/o a serpentine untensioner tool. This is a thin, long handle with a socket on the end that sticks out at 90 degrees of the handle. The socket slips onto the bolt-head of the tension-er pulley. Once the serpentine belt is threaded around all the other pulleys you put the untensioner tool on the tension-er pulley bolt and pull (or push) to achieve slack in the serpentine belt and slip it on the tension-er pulley.
put a wrench on the tensioner pully and pull it to release tension on the belt
There is a spring-loaded tensioner that you must move with a ratchet to relieve the belt tension. Before you do, look at the tensioner and verify that it isn't falling apart. If it is falling apart, replace it.
15 mm wrench Put it on the tension pulley and pull to take tension off belt
Check to make sure that the serpentine belt is ok, and that the ac clutch is working properly. Make sure that the serpentine belt has the proper tension.
I used a breaker bar for the tension pulley to relieve the tension to remove the belt, I think there are three bolts that hold the tension pulley on, just remove them and reverse the procedure to install. Follow the diagram that is either on the inside of the hood or on the radiator cover on how to thread the belt back on the pulleys.
Which belt? Timing or Serpentine? Serpentine is easy. Turn tension pulley with a breaker bar and pull belt off.
if a serpentine belt is loose, it needs replacing. there is an automatic tension pulley on all serpentine belts. so just buy a new belt and install
Release the tension on the belt using the tension pulley. Install new belt. I have a diagram for a 2002 will sent it and more detailed info if you email me at msgt4sped@aol.com
You need a 1/2" ratchet or a Johnson bar. The idler pulley has a square 1/2" hole that the square on the ratchet will fit in and allow you to turn the pulley and relieve the tension.