QuestionQUESTION: I have a 1998 Grand Caravan that continuously throws the serpentine belt whenever it gets wet (like riding through standing water or when it rains). I know from reading other blogs on Chrysler vans that this is a defect in Chrysler minivans. Someone advised me to replace the pulley wheel, which doesn't have wings to hold the belt in place, but I can't remember what one they said is compatible. Could it be one from a 1987 Buick? I know this is a strange solution, but the pulley with no sides is also out of line and makes it very easy for the belt to slip off.
Also, both of these vans have lots of water leak in on the passenger side whenever it rains or I was the vans. I know there is a cleanout that could get clogged with leaves, etc. but I can't figure out how to find it and access it. Thanks for your help.
ANSWER: Hi Michael,
The serpentine is probably coming off because you are missing a splash shield that lines the right front wheel housing and intercepts water that shouldn't be allowed to splash up on the front of the engine.
The drain out of the cowl air intake area (just in front of the windshield) is located at the right hand end of that intake and you need to remove the cowl cover to get at it. There are several pages that show how to do both these tasks which I can xerox and postal mail to you. Use the thank and rate tab below to tell me a postal mailing address and I will xerox copy and mail them to you.
The other strategy you can try with the leakage is to put the air distribution knob on the recirculate position whenever you park the van and anticipate rain or are going to wash the van. That will close the air intake off from the outside and reduce or eliminate that source of water intrusion.
Roland
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QUESTION: Roland,
Thanks for the info. The splashguard is in place on both vans, but apparently it is a design defect in the van. I have read many blogs from other Chrysler van owners with the same problem. The tension pulley is smooth and not properly aligned with the rest of the pulley wheels so the belt comes off very easily, especially if any dampness or water gets on the tension pulley wheel. In a blog I once read about someone replacing that pulley wheel with one from another vehicle (I think an '87 Buick)and that pulley wheel had "wings" on it to hold in place so it couldn't come off. I wanted to do the same but can't find that blog again so I hoped you could tell me what wheel might be compatible. Also, regarding the water leaking in, I will try to locate that cowl air intake drain to make sure it is not clogged up. I can't switch the air circulation knob to recirculate in my 2002 as it is just an electronic push button and when you shut off the engine it automatically goes off. In fact, that is a problem I have with that van. Every time I get in the van and put the air on I have to press that button. It is a real hassle as it won't stay on from the previous time. Another design flaw in the Chrysler vans, as is the fact the the driver side window motor burns out on these vans very quickly. Both of mine have and I know and have spoken to many other Chrysler van owners that have encountered the same problem. I guess that is what building on the "bell curve" is all about. Lots of money in after market parts!
I guess my question now is again about replacing the wheel on the tension pulley - any thoughts?
Thanks again,
Mike
AnswerHi Michael,
If the plane of the pulleys is not flat, then there will of course be a tendency for the belt to come off in slippery situations. I haven't heard of a replacement pulley that works better, but if you observe the tensioner pulley plane is displaced from the others' then I would examine the tensioner pulley's arm for replacement due to a worn bushing that has allowed it to move out of alignment. This is not uncommon so replacing the arm in its entirety may be the answer. On the air circulation, my belief is that it should stay at the recirc position if it it there when you shut off the van. Whether it moves when you re-start the van is something else. Were you able to remove the cover over the air intake plenum? There may well be leaves blocking the drain at the low point in the plenum.
Thanks for the history and commentary, and good luck in resolving these problems.
Roland
