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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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).

 

yep thats whazt we keep hearing about the cs and it's belt noise
and i know for a fact it's the plastic insert in the idlers what ya got to say about that???

 

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

 

Try using an OEM tensioner and belt.
Larry