1999 Dodge Caravan 3.0 from North America
Summary:
Questionable
Faults:
Serpentine belt very squeaky and slips off.
General Comments:
Whether it's the serpentine belt or the pulley, it is very loud and squeaky. WD40 used to help for a while, but not as much anymore, and the noise is worse on rainy days.
The belt slipped off for the first time the other day when I drove through a water hole to come to a stop in median. The hole was nothing out of the ordinary, but I figured it jarred the belt off. The wd40 problem helped that too. I was able to get the belt back on with my hands. If you start at the bottom pulleys and then slip over the tensioner, saving the idler for last, it's the only way I could get it on without tools.
It is still on after a week of normal driving, but still very loud. The belt did not look worn, but then again I know it's not new, so will replace it and save the old one. If the belt decides to keep coming off, it will change my mind about the reliability of a Dodge Caravan.
The belt issue should have been taken care of at factory; inexperienced drivers who lose control of power steering and continue to drive, jeopardize their engine over a belt.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 24th September, 2009
26th Sep 2009, 20:16
Not if you know what to do when your car breaks down. You're supposed to pull over and GET OUT AND AWAY from the vehicle, that way if it gets hit, you should be okay. Not to mention, if you drive without your serpentine belt, it will jeopardize the engine, which will INCREASE your chances of breaking down farther down the road.
29th Sep 2009, 14:58
I'm amazed that you got 225,000 miles out of a Caravan.
25th Sep 2009, 13:07
If your serpentine belt slips off while you are driving, and your van is still drivable and you pull over on the highway, you are jeopardizing your life and all the occupants of the van. Is an engine worth possible injury? Is it worth a possible accident?