1997 Gr Voyager Serp Belt slipping fix ?

[appstech]

Originally Posted by Spit

Sorry for the wrong website info. Try this one...If you go to www.dormanproducts.com and search the 82570 part number they will show you a picture and a description of the kit that I installed...the description that they give says it fits 1997 thru 2000 caravans...

Spit

I have heard nothing but bad things about any type of washer or snow shield with regards to the 3.0 liter the 3.3 or the 3.8L. The goodyear or gates double ribbed belt idea is the only one that I have found that actually works.

[Spit]

What bad things have you heard? I've had the kit on my 3.3 for over a year and have had no problems that I'm aware of. From memory I'm thinking that the water pump pulley is a smooth pulley (non-lipped) that the belt can slip off of if something else ties up. I've not tried the $100 belt fix...But I'm happy that my problem is gone for under $10.

I had previously replaced the belt tensioner 2yrs ago. When the belt first slipped off last year I checked the tensioner out and it seemed fine. I put a new Kelly belt on it and it and a bunch of an aerosol spray belt anti-slip that I bought at Auto Zone. It slipped off a week later. Each time it slipped it was after hitting a huge puddle in a thunderstorm.

Part of my problem may have been that large plastic belt shield had a hole melted in the bottom of it, (from an red hot air conditioner clutch pulley.
but that's another story.) and that may have allowed more water to get up on the belt than normal.

Anway, I can't see a problem, but I'm curious as to what you have heard.
I can see that the belt is tracking straight and is not in contact with the pulley shield in normal operation. it's just there so that when the belt gets an excessive splash of water and begins to slip, the belt is held in place for a second or two and I'm not stranded by side of the road.

Chuck



Chuck

[appstech]

I have heard that people have tried the shield idea and it has simply done absolutley nothing to help keep the belt on. The problem mostly comes down to system geometry as well as misalignment. Sounds like your vehicle is one that may not be out of alignment very much. Your lucky. But for people who have a system that continually throws the belt, simply by the goodyear or Gates fix. The kit for the 3.3 and 3.8L engines will be out Dec 1st.