96 T&C Serpentine belt problems

Hello,

About 3 or 4x now after about 1 year of use each time, the serpentine belt keeps separating from itself (the last one was a Goodyear gatorback). I have replaced the tensioner assembly 2x and the idler pully at least 1x already within this period as well. Everything appears to be running straight in line with no wobble as I watch it run and simulate acceleration with the accelerator cable under the hood. It appears that the Gatorback last week that separated from one of the ribs looked like it started from the back side and not the ribbed side (I had to cut the rest of the ripped length off with a scissors to get home) . The rest of the belt looked fine with no cracks either. When I installed the new belt that night I cleaned the crud off the idler and the idler mounted on the tensioner assembly, but other than that, there were no nicks, wear marks, uneveness,etc...

Any of you have any ideas?

Reply to
99trooper
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Alignment problems, improperly installed belt or something getting on pulleys such as a coolant leak, oil leak from crank seal, check to make sure that the drain tube for the a/c condensation tube is in place and not dumping on the P/S pump pulley on turns. Also check to see that the drain tube for the wiper module is in place and not dumping water on P/S pump pulley. Or deep snow or even going thru deep water holes. has the power steering pump been replaced in the past and the pulley not installed correctly? Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

Reply to
maxpower

99trooper, The problem with your T&C is the idler pulley is misaligned. Chrysler has a TSB out on this. In order to fix it properly, you need to replace the idler pulley and bracket assembly that is attached to the motor mount. Chryslers fix for these misaligment problems is to sell you a large washer to keep the belt from coming off the drive. I found on Alldata the problem related to the idler pulley/bracket. Check out Chrysler TSB numbers 070394A, 070294A. I work in belt application engineering, and after several complaints about belt noise, I discovered this problem. A worn out tensioner will also cause it, however, the idler pulley bracket is usually the culprit.

Reply to
MoRambler

Good points on those... I will check the tubing to make sure draining is draining to the correct place. How can I check alignment on these things? PS pump never replaced...141k miles on vehicle now.... Ya know... this vehicle had front end repair 2x within a few years of each other(someone backed into us and radiator damage pushed things in, and hit a deer about

3 months ago and had a simalar looking front end with AC out and radiator again...I wonder now if all that stuff spewing all over everything may be cause for this stuff now that you mention coolant leak????) Thanks for that info. I'll see if it happens again (assuming we don't get some front end damage again).
Reply to
99trooper

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Reply to
mic canic

Make sure you look at the tensioner really close, the slightest off angle will cause a belt chirp and then like I said, if oil or coolant hits the belt, it will slide right off, thats why I say never spray belt dressing on a belt to quiet the chirp

Reply to
maxpower

Reply to
jdoe

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