Serpentine belt replacement

99 ply grand voy 3.3 w/ac. I've priced the belt at $26 or so. Nice and
cheap. I accidentally sliced through the belt with a tire iron, how you
ask (you don't want to know, believe me) anyway, beside the belt over
under and around thing that it does, is there anything I should know about
ie; pullies coming lose. Is there a specific tension I should worry about
having when I'm finished. OR SHOULD I BRING IT TO A GARAGE?? Thank you

 

Follow the diagram that is affixed someplace in the engine compartment. I
have had the best results slipping the belt under the idler last by
releasing tension on the belt . This is done by torquing the tensioner bolt
with a box wrench. Make certain that the belt is correctly positioned where
it is routed through grooves.

The tensioner spring will maintain the correct belt tension unless, of
course, it has failed (frozen). If that happens, you will need to replace
the tensioner.

Ken

 

I don't know if this relates to the OP or not, but sometimes a new belt
will be too small to get over all the pulleys even with the tensioner
fully compressed. In that case sometimes I will put a socket and
breaker bar on the engine crankshaft pulley nut and turn the engine
slowly to run the belt onto the last most convenient pulley (usually the
biggest and most accessible). Perhaps the OP tore the belt trying to
pry it on with that tire iron? :^)

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Im going to ask anyhow, how did you mess the belt up with a tire iron???

And depending on the mileage you may want to have the tensioner replaced
also

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Actually, Bill, I was tempted to do something like that myself. Upon closer
examination, I determined that the belt was not correctly centered in one of
the pulleys. After aligning it properly, I had enough range in the tensioner
adjustment to slip it on.

Ken

 

Well the mileage is 277,000. Honest miles on motor, third tranie. Runs
like a TOP. Oil/filter every 3k, belts and tensioner changed about 1 year
ago. Fan assembly, harness and all changed 1 year ago. OK I'll
tell...battery light came on and I thought aha alternator! Tried to get
the light to go out or blink by tapping the alternator with tire
iron...ooops. Then I went and replaced the 6 year battery..BINGO lights
out. $60 battery, $26 belt, learn something...priceless. Don't laugh,
it's been a long time since I've had to work on my own vehicle. Do you
want fries with that??
Thanks for the advice everyone,
Ken

 

No big deal!! everyone has a story to tell about something they did that was
dumb, But most wont admit to it. A lesson learned right?