4th Jan 2007, 21:47
The NAPA /Gates 3.3 Litre fix kit for the serpentine belt problem is "MV Component Kit #38379K Drive Align" Manufactured by the Gates Rubber Co. Denver CO for NAPA. These belt/pulley fix kits should be available within the next few weeks. Check with your local NAPA dealer.
5th Jan 2007, 11:32
According to Gates information, the 38379K fix kit is for both the 3.3L as well as the 3.8L V6 engine. Apparently these two engines have the exact same serpentine belt system. It will fit the 1996-2000 model years only. I also heard it will be available within the next couple of weeks. I can't wait.
Gates Fix kit info:
1996-2000 3.0L V6 = 38342K
1996-2000 3.3L/3.8L V6 = 38379K.
7th Jan 2007, 16:45
Well I posted at the end of October and shortly after had yet another repair done... I live in a small town and the fix it kit wasn't available so my mechanic decided to try using Ford parts instead. From his description it is the same thing that the kit will offer (ridges to hold the dumb belt on). We also put on a Gator Back Belt that was suggested by another poster and here it is January, after several trips in the rain, and it is still on. As I type this I am knocking on wood because although I am grateful it is working, I've gone through so much with this problem that I'm not entirely trusting. Anyone else in a bind might try the same - Ford parts, and Gator Back belt. Good Luck!
20th Jan 2007, 18:52
I think the tensioner or serpentine belt might be starting to go on my 1999 Grand Caravan with 107K miles. It makes a squeeky noise in low gears or in neutral, and because I've read all these postings, I am a nervous mom to drive it with my three kids in the car. I have lost power steering before, and luckily was on a slow local rd. Along with brakes that never seemed to get fixed quite right, is it worth fixing this puppy?
22nd Jan 2007, 18:59
Can't believe I found this forum while searching for answers to my 3.8 Chrysler van belt problem. Where is Chrysler on this? I've had multiple serpentine belt failures in various places costing me near two thousand total and hassles. It's ridiculous and time to get a better fix. Where is the Gates or Goodyear fix kit? How dow we get it? This problem is terrible!
22nd Jan 2007, 19:27
I have a dodge caravan and the belt keeps coming off the pump. I need like a shield how do I get one email me at chefziolkowski@yahoo.com thanks.
26th Jan 2007, 18:39
Anyone know if the tension kit for the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3 L is available anywhere yet?
28th Jan 2007, 23:45
I want to thank all who contribute to this discussion. We are the original owners of a '98 Plymouth Voyager with a 3.0 engine, 89k miles. Like most of you, our first failure of the belt was a complete surprise. The slippage happened a few months after the factory belt was replaced when a new timing belt was installed. The first failure happened on the evening commute, during a very strong rainstorm. After a tow, the same belt was reinstalled, and fell off a couple weeks later backing out of a rest stop (@ 5 mph), and hours from home. We were very lucky in finding a great guy working out of his home in a nearby small town, and who had heard of this problem before.
A few hours on the Internet (and reading your contributions) made the Gates kit the only reasonable solution. Gave the part number to our neighborhood mechanic for a replacement, and 2 months later, no problems. A letter to Chrysler describing the incident did warranty a return phone call, with an incident number assigned to this problem. But, because the work was not done at a dealer, no more than a "that’s too bad" type of reply. I also entered an incident for this problem into the N.H.T.S.A.
Bottom line, I would rather risk the $200 with a solution that makes since, than to give the dealer a "blank check". I will enter an update to this discussion if the Gate belt ends up a dud. And likely just trade the beast in for a new Toyota.
3rd Feb 2007, 15:51
Ordered my Gates Tensioner Kit (w/belt) from Midway Auto Supply last week, and it's showing up (UPS) on Monday... I'll let everyone know how it went!
3rd Feb 2007, 22:17
I ordered the update kit from Midway and received it on Friday, I'll post an update when I get it installed. It consists of a new belt that's ribbed on both sides, a new tensioner with a pulley that is grooved and has a lip on both sides and an idler pulley that is grooved with a lip on both sides. After having re-attached the belt 5-6 times it sure looks like to me that this will solve the problem for good. Keeping my fingers crossed...
5th Feb 2007, 19:17
Well, I pulled off the old tensioner and idler pulley on Sat. Weaved the belt through the components properly. But when I went to pull down the tensioner for slack, it would not go under the idler. It seemed like it was short. Very short. I tried everything I could think of, but nothing worked. I was so mad I about lost it. I think the issue is the grooves are not as deep as the standard belts making some of the needed slack disappear. I had a few friends come over today to help. I pulled back on the tensioner and it took 2 people coordinating together the push the belt under the idler. Several tries got it about half way. To get it the rest, one of my friends applied pressure down and toward the idler while I gave to key a few quick jolts. I didn't try to turn it over, just get the belt to move a little forward and that did the trick. I hope it won't be this difficult for the rest of you, but this is what worked for me. You can email me if you have a question. lethlwipn@yahoo.com. Good luck to all!! James.
9th Feb 2007, 18:16
I ordered the new kit from Murphy on Monday and got it Friday. My friend and I had trouble getting the lock nut off the back of the old tensioner. We got it with a socket and a extension that could bend some. We too had trouble getting the new belt on over the idler lip. We ended up taking the idler off. With a long pipe and 15 mm wrench holding the tensioner down, we got enough slack to put the bolt for the idler in with the belt already on. This is safer than turnning the car over and forcing the belt over. We were done in about an hour and a half. I hope this is the end of my tensioner trouble with the Caravan.
1st Jan 2007, 20:34
This is an update to a previous posting I made about my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3L. The Gates Belt Co fix kits are coming off the manufacturing line and should be available later this month. I was told by my local NAPA dealer that Gates is also working on a fix kit for the 3.8L. He told me he had three calls last week for fix kits from the local Dodge dealer. This is a widespread problem which Chrysler needs to address.