Chrysler Repair: Belt breakage: 3.3L water pump, water pump bearing, correct tension

Question
I own a 1995 Intrepid which I recently replaced the serpentine belt. Within one week the new belt frayed and broke. I bought and replaced it and the same day the new belt broke. I noticed that that the pulley/wheel that is NOT groved and connected to the water pump(I beleive) was loose to the point that when I move it anti freeze would come out. 1. will that loose wheel cause the belt to eventually break? 2. Is that wheel actually driving the water pump and how is it tightened?

Answer
Hi Jerry,
The belt on your 3.3L engine drives the generator/power steering/water pump. I would believe that the water pump bearing has worn to the extent that you describe such that antifreeze will leak out and thus it may have excess friction which could very well cause the belt to wear. Also, because of the looseness the plane of the water pump pulley it may be out of alignment with the other three pulleys and that too will cause the edge of the belt to wear quickly and thus be also responsible for premature failure. Water pumps should not leak noticeably when you try to test the pulley for motion. My suggestion would be to change out the water pump soon so that you don't suffer a uncontrolled loss of coolant and overheating of the engine. The belt is adjusted by loosening the bolt on the generator (at about 4 o'clock as observed from the front of the vehicle) which lock the position and then rotate the bolt directly behind it that is vertical which moves the generator back and forth to alter the belt tension. The belt is about the correct tension when it will deflect about 3/8" when pressed firmly mid-way between the generator and the power steering pulleys.
Changing the pump is not too difficult. It will be easier to do if you first remove the lower inner fender shield  adjacent to that area. Let me know if you want details.
Roland
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