Dodge: 1999 Caravan Serpentine Belt Issue

Iput together a possible solution - serpentine belt alignment, found on the
Internet.

My ’97 T&C with 80K mile does not have any serpentine belt problem. I
search the web for a DIY job to replace the worn belt. I notice other car
owners' problem, which may be solved as described below.

You will get front wheel alignment done if the front tires worn out
unevenly. Similarly, you do not keep on putting the serpentine belt back,
or getting a new one because you may need to get the turpentine belt
aligned. Cursing the car company may not be the solution because other
cars do not have the same problem.

1. Check here (thanks to AutoZone) to see if the serpentine belt is
aligned or not: May be there are other methods:

http://www.alldata.com/service_provider/techrx/2001/20010615.html

(… An incorrect idler pulley bracket is causing a slight misalignment of
the serpentine belt. The introduction of snow or water will cause the belt
to leave the farm faster than a lovesick bull….)

2. Here is one of the best fix I found, as of 1/05:

http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51435

(….(the technician) tossed a large fender type washer on the desk and told
me to install that between the engine & the power steering bracket ON THE
LOWER BOLT ….. ).

The author eventually put another washer on other bolt.

3. Yet, another car owner found another solution independently by putting
a washer between idler wheel and its bracket because the idler pulley is
inward (toward the firewall). The washer is small as not to rub against
the turning part of the idler. I do not have the web link on hand.

4. I hope that serpentine belt Alignment solve most problem. But cars may
have problem on brackets, pulley, tensioner and other things. If anything
is replaced, check the alignment.

5. Posted from other people - keep any water(liquid) away from the belt.

On the older 3.3 engines some of the belt noise was due to an alignment
problem with the P/S pump pulley and I would also shim up the lower bracket
to remove the noise, but there is so many ways a belt can be out of
alignment, they all differ, now the newer Mini Vans and even the Pacificas
are having belt noise issues
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