oh that lovely SQUEAL

[MiDnIgHtRuMbLeR]

I have the '99 3.0 motor in my dodge and have had this dreaded annoying embarrasing squeal 2 times in the 2 years i have owned the vehicle and i am now on my thrid.

I noticed my belt when it comes up onto the tensioner pulley it seems to wobble back and forth maybe about 1-2mm and actually seems to make contact with the side of the crank pulley in return making the squealing sound.

We all know most if not all carvans will at one point in time have an annoying squealing sound coming from under the hood which is usually due to misaligned pulleys.

I have had this problem twice already and have replaced the drive belt twice only to have the problem come back 8 months later both times and i am now on my third round. I do not want to just replace the belt this time around. I want to FIX this problem once and for all as i dislike replacing belts once a year.

I have heard there is a kit out there made by goodyear called the field repair kit (part # 49204K)
This is suppost to fix belts from falling off which i have been fortunate enough not to have that problem but does this kit actually stop the belt from squealing?

Another remedy i have heard is to put a washer behind each bolt on the alternator to in return align the alternator pulley with the remainder of the pulleys.

Once again, does this actually work?

Last but not least i have heard individuals replacing tenisoners ($110 cnd) and idler pulleys ($35 cnd) as well as installing a new belt ($45 cnd) which still does not solve the problem.

I have not tried any of the above remedies as some are costly and i am very strapped for cash right now.

What can i do to solve this problem?

[Javert]

I have only heard good things about the goodyear fix kit. I would recommend that you go that route.

Check post #16 by Madar60.
http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=85492&hl=javert

Hope this helps you out.

[MiDnIgHtRuMbLeR]

For pictures of the difference between the Goodyear/Gates repair kit compared to the OEM parts, check out this link

http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71230&st=20

You must be registered in order to view the link

Well, i am going ahead and ordering this repair kit. Comes with idler pulley, tensioner and a new belt for $159.00 + taxes cnd available through NAPA.

I think this will definatley solve the problem as i talked with the dealer at NAPA and he has only heard good things about this kit. Their kit is not GOODYEAR but GATES and he stated they are of the same quality.

Not only will this kit prevent the belts from beeing thrown but he advises it will STOP the squealing sound as well.

I will let everyone know as soon as i get this bad boy installed. Hopefully tomorrow or friday.

All i have to do now is find the easiest route to get the tensioner off :(

[MiDnIgHtRuMbLeR]

Put the kit on today and everything seems to be great. As stated on the allpar site, the idler pulley does have some play but does not seem to affect the belt at all. Now i know i will never have a belt fall off and i hope the squealing sound never comes back.

What i really liked about the kit is it comes with a doubled sided v-groove drive belt which allows full contact to each pulley. There is no way this belt will ever come off and it should never make any squealing sounds due to this design. Whoever came up with this idea has an excellent sollution to an everday common problem with these caravans/voyagers and i give this kit a 10 out of 10.

Excellent investment for $170.00 cnd tax in.

I would suggest instead of working under the vehicle to get at the tensioner, try undoing the alternator bolts and placing the alternator to the side, you may have to work blind but it worked for me with no swearing or blood shed.

Also, prop the hood up on the drivers side of the vehicle with a broom handle or poll to allow easier access to the pulleys and belts without having the original prop rod in your way.