problem with serpentine belt

countryflo · #1 01-08-2009, 08:06 PM

Hello,
i own a 1998 dodge caravan V6 3.8
problem started with a new water pump put in, also had timing belt replaced
a week later the serpentine belt started squealing took back to shop had a new belt and a pulley tensioner installed a week later went back to shop squealing again the mechanic told me it had traces of a belt dressing ,so he wiped off the belt sent me on my way 3 weeks later on a rainy day
i lose power steering alt. lights come on belt had fallen off my husband takes it to mechanic - he says i ran thru a mud puddle and it fell off. not true
3 weeks later get squealing again back to mechanic he says i need valve cover gasket because oil is getting on serpentine belt making it squeal.
can this possibly be true or am i getting a big run around. what has to be done to get this thing not to squeal. Please help! will appreciate any answer
Thank you

rhandwor · #2 01-08-2009, 08:20 PM

I think you have a broken mount somewhere causing an alignment problem. This is usually the cause of a belt coming off when driving.
I can't comment on the oil on the belt without looking at it,where is the oil coming from? Did you take a flashlight and look closely?

countryflo · #3 01-08-2009, 08:45 PM

i really don't know where the oil is coming from, when its sitting it does
get a few drops under it on the blacktop.

rhandwor · #4 01-08-2009, 08:53 PM

I think I would ask some friends who they use and what kind of service they get they should have fixed the problem or given a good quote to do proper repairs.

tempfixit · #5 01-08-2009, 09:51 PM

Do a search using serpentine belt, there are many threads talking about the same problems. Many used a dayco or goodyear kit that solved the problem.
Like rhandwor suggests you may have a alignment problem also.

Good Luck

Mbriggs · #6 01-09-2009, 10:20 AM

I've had many issues with the serp belt, and it generally has come down to two things. The aftermarket replacement tensioners can be mis-alligned and cause the belt to squeak. I threw 2 inexpensive belts at one that still squealed. Put on a good Gates belt and it got torn to bits because of the bad allignment of the tensioner. Got a different tensioner and all was fine.
Have the tensioner checked, and don't buy cheap belts.

RIP · #7 01-09-2009, 12:49 PM

Well, it started with the water pump change. I would start with ensuring the correct pump was installed and verifying the pumps pulley is aligned with the rest of the pulleys. The valve cover leak sounds plausible as long as it's leaking on the passenger side.

Curious. You say the timing belt was changed. Problem is the 3.8 ltr engine doesn't use a timing belt. It does use a timing chain. Is that what you meant? Timing chains normally last the life of the vehicle. Why was yours changed?

countryflo · #8 01-10-2009, 10:51 AM

Sorry, its a 3.0 -

not a 3.8

RIP · #9 01-10-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryflo

Sorry, its a 3.0 -

not a 3.8

Mystery solved. Thanks.

crazy35752 · #10 01-26-2009, 11:57 AM

I had the same problem but mine was the waterpump shaft. It had just a little slack in it the pump was good only thing is that when it would rain it would slide off. do you know if it was a remanufactured water pump or a new one? it started with the pump and could be your problem it doesnt take much slack at all for it to come off when it wet

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