19th Mar 2006, 20:09

Our 97 Caravan Sport has 106,000 and it throws the belt easily. My wife and mother in law drive the van the most and I have become quite good at getting the belt back on. It is a serious safety issue as neither my wife or mother in law can steer it with no power steering. And I worry to how bad the heads are warped now from overheating.

Routing the belt on each pulley except the idler pulley is the easiest way. Takes me about 10 minutes and my father in law about 30...

I have replaced the tensioner, a truly difficult job. There is a single bolt between the head and the exhaust that requires some long arms and creative tool management. A 3/8" wrench, extension and swivel with a deep socket.

I checked with a local dealer and they showed me the new motor mount plate, ($46) and it appears to push out the idler pulley a few MM. This is apparently a retrofit from later model vans. The service bulletin indicates that there is to be 2mm from the inside edge of the idler pulley, mine looks to be closer to 6mm.

I am doing some maintenance this weekend on the van and will replace this mount and the water pump along with a goodyear belt. As well as try to find a pulley with a flange on it for keeping the belt on.

We are currently looking at the new Mazda 5 to replace this van. We have had 2 other Chrysler vans that were fine and this may be our last due to this glaring issue.

27th Mar 2006, 22:27

I own a 1999 Town and Country Limted 3.8 Van, and bought it new. The timing belt doesn't slip off, but the vehicle makes a horrid rattling, loose marble sound when in reverse at idle. Has anyone diagnosed that this is the idler? Are the Dayco idler replacements better? I live in Oregon, and as hard as it is to believe, we don't hit many puddles.

13th Apr 2006, 22:25

2000 Grand Caravan, same problem, the belt just came off. I too am surprised that there is not a recall on this item. I am afraid of my wife and kids being stranded. These vans are sold with "family's" in mind. Actually a bit heartless not to have a recall on this item. I appreciate the tips on how to repair the item. Our van is stranded in our driveway until I can sort it out. So much for buying another Dodge.

THANKS ALL FOR THE TIPS.

25th Apr 2006, 02:20

Hi, I am just another sacrificer of Belt-Off problem. I live in Taipei, Taiwan, and own a 1997 3.3 liter Town & Country. It is about 6000 miles only.

I can't tell how good is this car, gives me & my family numerous happy hours during weekend / camping time, except only when the belt suddenly plays a pleasing sound chorusing with the music, and slipped off. Then I know it's time to play with it again!

It started few months ago, with genuine belt, which lasted for many years without problem. It is not really easy to get off during wet condition, but, if acrossing water pound >5cm deep & >30 KPH, in a 90% chance I have to do it again.

Combining the information I received and posted here, the Tensioner Pulley is the place belt starting to go OFF. and I agree with Chuck, the left side under chasis is the weakness of the car. I haven't experience with muddy condition, but I guess I will 100% lose my belt for sure.

Been realised there is no recall hold in USA, then it's hopeless in Taiwan. Local dealer said they have a new modified tensional pulley, with a protection mechanism, costs ~USD200, could solve this. Now, read your comment, I won't believe it will work. I 'd rather do the same protection work with Chuck and challenge my own record to put belt back in 20 minutes. Actually, a hook, used for pulling down the rolling door of a store, could be the best tools to raise the belt from the bottom of lowest driving pulley. Put it on the tensional one, with a wrench to bend pulley downwards, slide belt in the Idler is the way I preferred.

Now I found, due to several times belt off, with car jacked, fluorescent coolant drip slowly. the water pump starts to leak now. I am guessing the sudden belt tension change and red zone engine temp is the cause. I don't know if I need to replace the water tank or a replaced seal kit could do?

I will keep driving it, not so happily, with increasing tools packed on back for yet-to-come amazing conditions for us to conquer... The paradise of D.I.Y. fan!!!

Smiling Geoffrey.

5th Jun 2006, 04:43

1996 Caravan - never had any problems until February 2006. The serpentine belt came off on a dry, sunny day. After having it fixed, 4 months later while making a right turn through a puddle, the belt slipped off again. Talk about a flawed design? Chrysler should have addressed this belt problem years ago. Here's to hoping that this is not going to be an ongoing problem, but after reading other posts regarding this problem, it looks like peace of mind concerning this car will be a thing of the past.

7th Jun 2006, 15:46

1999 Dodge caravan 70,000 miles. It has been very well maintained. The belt has slipped off 3 times in the last 6 weeks. I had the belt and the tensioner replaced. No effect.

I live in Florida. It rains here. I cannot trust this van with my family. I barely like driving it myself. Too bad, it is comfortable and roomy.

Transmission problems, total rebuild of the air conditioning.

I will never buy another Dodge Van again.