serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine

On Jan 7, 5:52 am, "maxpower" <damnnickn....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> <dch....DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:d6f9471a-f43b-4147-9c1c-7db736f9b891@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > Help!
> > I am having problems with the serpentine belt sqealing on my 1999 T&C
> > with the 3.8cc engine. I replaced the belt and tensioner but it
> > certainly appears that not all the pulleys are in alignment. All the
> > idler and other pulleys rotate smoothly and freely when the belt is
> > off. It looks like the alternator pulley may be the one that is out of
> > alignment with the rest of the pulleys. Is there any history of the
> > alternator mounting bracket moving, bending, warping, etc? I never had
> > any problem with the squealing until I installed a new belt when the
> > previous belt had some visible edge damage. The previous belt and the
> > tensioner had been replaced 15K miles earlier. I removed the tensioner
> > again and it still looks good. I have never had a problem with the
> > belt coming off like many others have. According to my local Chrysler
> > dealer, there is no history of problems with these belts or pulley
> > alignments. Therefore, I don't feel real comfortable having them work
> > on this. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Have you had the power steering pump removed or replaced? This is what
> normally causes the belt to come out of alignment. Was the Generator
> replaced at one time? And did you install these belts and then the problem
> occurred or were you installing these items to correct the squeal. And what
> exactly kind of squeal are you referring too........A belt squeal or pulley
> squeal. You throw me off by saying all the pulleys turn freely
>
> Glenn Beasley
> Chrysler Tech

power steering pump was not replaced by me. I purchased this vehicle
used and don't have previous history. The squealing is a belt squeal.
I mentioned the other pulleys turning freely just to clarify that the
bearings in those areas were checked and are good. The first belt
broke soon after I purchased the vehicle. I replaced the belt and
tensioner. 15K miles later the belt began fraying on one edge so I
replaced it. Several days later it began squealing very badly. Taking
a closer look now it appears that as the belt moves over the idler it
is not properly aligned and that is causing the high pitched squeal.
As I try to eyeball the belt, it looks like the alternator is the one
out of alignment. I'll look again at the PS pump.

Don
 >> Stay informed about: serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine 

<dchost.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:7f280ca3-3942-4752-8043-b71641994eb7@f3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 7, 5:52 am, "maxpower" <damnnickn....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > <dch....DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
> >
> >
news:d6f9471a-f43b-4147-9c1c-7db736f9b891@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> >
> >
> >
> > > Help!
> > > I am having problems with the serpentine belt sqealing on my 1999 T&C
> > > with the 3.8cc engine. I replaced the belt and tensioner but it
> > > certainly appears that not all the pulleys are in alignment. All the
> > > idler and other pulleys rotate smoothly and freely when the belt is
> > > off. It looks like the alternator pulley may be the one that is out of
> > > alignment with the rest of the pulleys. Is there any history of the
> > > alternator mounting bracket moving, bending, warping, etc? I never had
> > > any problem with the squealing until I installed a new belt when the
> > > previous belt had some visible edge damage. The previous belt and the
> > > tensioner had been replaced 15K miles earlier. I removed the tensioner
> > > again and it still looks good. I have never had a problem with the
> > > belt coming off like many others have. According to my local Chrysler
> > > dealer, there is no history of problems with these belts or pulley
> > > alignments. Therefore, I don't feel real comfortable having them work
> > > on this. Any help would be appreciated.
> >
> > Have you had the power steering pump removed or replaced? This is what
> > normally causes the belt to come out of alignment. Was the Generator
> > replaced at one time? And did you install these belts and then the
problem
> > occurred or were you installing these items to correct the squeal. And
what
> > exactly kind of squeal are you referring too........A belt squeal or
pulley
> > squeal. You throw me off by saying all the pulleys turn freely
> >
> > Glenn Beasley
> > Chrysler Tech
>
> power steering pump was not replaced by me. I purchased this vehicle
> used and don't have previous history. The squealing is a belt squeal.
> I mentioned the other pulleys turning freely just to clarify that the
> bearings in those areas were checked and are good. The first belt
> broke soon after I purchased the vehicle. I replaced the belt and
> tensioner. 15K miles later the belt began fraying on one edge so I
> replaced it. Several days later it began squealing very badly. Taking
> a closer look now it appears that as the belt moves over the idler it
> is not properly aligned and that is causing the high pitched squeal.
> As I try to eyeball the belt, it looks like the alternator is the one
> out of alignment. I'll look again at the PS pump.
>
> Don

You are almost going to have to have the vehicle in the air to see if the
power steering pump is the one causing it. A piece of long heater hose will
locate the squeal by putting one end to your ear and the other end where the
noise is coming from, My bet is the squeal is coming off the power steering
pump because the pulley is not on properly.

Glenn
 >> Stay informed about: serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine 

On Jan 8, 1:38 pm, "maxpower" <damnnickn....TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
> <dch....TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:7f280ca3-3942-4752-8043-b71641994eb7@f3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...> On Jan 7, 5:52 am, "maxpower" <damnnickn....TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > <dch....TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:d6f9471a-f43b-4147-9c1c-7db736f9b891@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > > Help!
> > > > I am having problems with the serpentine belt sqealing on my 1999 T&C
> > > > with the 3.8cc engine. I replaced the belt and tensioner but it
> > > > certainly appears that not all the pulleys are in alignment. All the
> > > > idler and other pulleys rotate smoothly and freely when the belt is
> > > > off. It looks like the alternator pulley may be the one that is out of
> > > > alignment with the rest of the pulleys. Is there any history of the
> > > > alternator mounting bracket moving, bending, warping, etc? I never had
> > > > any problem with the squealing until I installed a new belt when the
> > > > previous belt had some visible edge damage. The previous belt and the
> > > > tensioner had been replaced 15K miles earlier. I removed the tensioner
> > > > again and it still looks good. I have never had a problem with the
> > > > belt coming off like many others have. According to my local Chrysler
> > > > dealer, there is no history of problems with these belts or pulley
> > > > alignments. Therefore, I don't feel real comfortable having them work
> > > > on this. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> > > Have you had the power steering pump removed or replaced? This is what
> > > normally causes the belt to come out of alignment. Was the Generator
> > > replaced at one time? And did you install these belts and then the
> problem
> > > occurred or were you installing these items to correct the squeal. And
> what
> > > exactly kind of squeal are you referring too........A belt squeal or
> pulley
> > > squeal. You throw me off by saying all the pulleys turn freely
>
> > > Glenn Beasley
> > > Chrysler Tech
>
> > power steering pump was not replaced by me. I purchased this vehicle
> > used and don't have previous history. The squealing is a belt squeal.
> > I mentioned the other pulleys turning freely just to clarify that the
> > bearings in those areas were checked and are good. The first belt
> > broke soon after I purchased the vehicle. I replaced the belt and
> > tensioner. 15K miles later the belt began fraying on one edge so I
> > replaced it. Several days later it began squealing very badly. Taking
> > a closer look now it appears that as the belt moves over the idler it
> > is not properly aligned and that is causing the high pitched squeal.
> > As I try to eyeball the belt, it looks like the alternator is the one
> > out of alignment. I'll look again at the PS pump.
>
> > Don
>
> You are almost going to have to have the vehicle in the air to see if the
> power steering pump is the one causing it. A piece of long heater hose will
> locate the squeal by putting one end to your ear and the other end where the
> noise is coming from, My bet is the squeal is coming off the power steering
> pump because the pulley is not on properly.
>
> Glenn- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Glenn,
Thanks for your responses. I just noticed that my original post said I
had a 3.8cc engine. Wow, now that would be a small engine! I know you
guys all knew what I meant.

I think you may be right about the power sterring pump pulley
alignment. To fix that can the pump bracket just be loosened and re-
aligned? or does a bracket bend and need to be replaced? I'll probably
have my mechanic get it up on the hoist to do this. It may be a
seperate issue but the tensioner pulley still does not align with the
alternator and A/C pulleys.

Don
 >> Stay informed about: serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine 

<dchost.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:abb79e84-9bf5-4be3-b3ae-ef1a34d7a1f1@1g2000hsl.googlegroups.com...
On Jan 8, 1:38 pm, "maxpower" <damnnickn....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> <dch....DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:7f280ca3-3942-4752-8043-b71641994eb7@f3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...>
On Jan 7, 5:52 am, "maxpower" <damnnickn....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > <dch....DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:d6f9471a-f43b-4147-9c1c-7db736f9b891@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > > Help!
> > > > I am having problems with the serpentine belt sqealing on my 1999
T&C
> > > > with the 3.8cc engine. I replaced the belt and tensioner but it
> > > > certainly appears that not all the pulleys are in alignment. All the
> > > > idler and other pulleys rotate smoothly and freely when the belt is
> > > > off. It looks like the alternator pulley may be the one that is out
of
> > > > alignment with the rest of the pulleys. Is there any history of the
> > > > alternator mounting bracket moving, bending, warping, etc? I never
had
> > > > any problem with the squealing until I installed a new belt when the
> > > > previous belt had some visible edge damage. The previous belt and
the
> > > > tensioner had been replaced 15K miles earlier. I removed the
tensioner
> > > > again and it still looks good. I have never had a problem with the
> > > > belt coming off like many others have. According to my local
Chrysler
> > > > dealer, there is no history of problems with these belts or pulley
> > > > alignments. Therefore, I don't feel real comfortable having them
work
> > > > on this. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> > > Have you had the power steering pump removed or replaced? This is what
> > > normally causes the belt to come out of alignment. Was the Generator
> > > replaced at one time? And did you install these belts and then the
> problem
> > > occurred or were you installing these items to correct the squeal. And
> what
> > > exactly kind of squeal are you referring too........A belt squeal or
> pulley
> > > squeal. You throw me off by saying all the pulleys turn freely
>
> > > Glenn Beasley
> > > Chrysler Tech
>
> > power steering pump was not replaced by me. I purchased this vehicle
> > used and don't have previous history. The squealing is a belt squeal.
> > I mentioned the other pulleys turning freely just to clarify that the
> > bearings in those areas were checked and are good. The first belt
> > broke soon after I purchased the vehicle. I replaced the belt and
> > tensioner. 15K miles later the belt began fraying on one edge so I
> > replaced it. Several days later it began squealing very badly. Taking
> > a closer look now it appears that as the belt moves over the idler it
> > is not properly aligned and that is causing the high pitched squeal.
> > As I try to eyeball the belt, it looks like the alternator is the one
> > out of alignment. I'll look again at the PS pump.
>
> > Don
>
> You are almost going to have to have the vehicle in the air to see if the
> power steering pump is the one causing it. A piece of long heater hose
will
> locate the squeal by putting one end to your ear and the other end where
the
> noise is coming from, My bet is the squeal is coming off the power
steering
> pump because the pulley is not on properly.
>
> Glenn- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Glenn,
Thanks for your responses. I just noticed that my original post said I
had a 3.8cc engine. Wow, now that would be a small engine! I know you
guys all knew what I meant.

I think you may be right about the power sterring pump pulley
alignment. To fix that can the pump bracket just be loosened and re-
aligned? or does a bracket bend and need to be replaced? I'll probably
have my mechanic get it up on the hoist to do this. It may be a
seperate issue but the tensioner pulley still does not align with the
alternator and A/C pulleys.

Don

Chrysler Made the 3.3 and a 3.8. both engine applications the same except
horsepower. You say you removed the tensioner and reinstalled it.....did you
make sure to get the pin lined up in the hole with the bracket?. If all is
correct and you suspect it is the power steering pump pulley out of
alignment you will have to remove and reinstall the pulley to the pump with
the specify shim spacer. This shim spacer tool is what stops the pulley from
going on to far or not far enough to properly align the belt. Chrysler Does
make a kit that may help with alignment. me personally, if the belt squeals,
it is out of alignment and the kit should not be needed. Find out what's out
of alignment. Did you locate the squeal by using a piece of hose like I
suggested?

Glenn
 >> Stay informed about: serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine 

On Jan 9, 2:11 pm, "maxpower" <damnnickn....RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> <dch....RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:abb79e84-9bf5-4be3-b3ae-ef1a34d7a1f1@1g2000hsl.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 8, 1:38 pm, "maxpower" <damnnickn....RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:> <dch....RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> >news:7f280ca3-3942-4752-8043-b71641994eb7@f3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...>
>
> On Jan 7, 5:52 am, "maxpower" <damnnickn....RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > > > <dch....RemoveThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> >news:d6f9471a-f43b-4147-9c1c-7db736f9b891@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
> > > > > Help!
> > > > > I am having problems with the serpentine belt sqealing on my 1999
> T&C
> > > > > with the 3.8cc engine. I replaced the belt and tensioner but it
> > > > > certainly appears that not all the pulleys are in alignment. All the
> > > > > idler and other pulleys rotate smoothly and freely when the belt is
> > > > > off. It looks like the alternator pulley may be the one that is out
> of
> > > > > alignment with the rest of the pulleys. Is there any history of the
> > > > > alternator mounting bracket moving, bending, warping, etc? I never
> had
> > > > > any problem with the squealing until I installed a new belt when the
> > > > > previous belt had some visible edge damage. The previous belt and
> the
> > > > > tensioner had been replaced 15K miles earlier. I removed the
> tensioner
> > > > > again and it still looks good. I have never had a problem with the
> > > > > belt coming off like many others have. According to my local
> Chrysler
> > > > > dealer, there is no history of problems with these belts or pulley
> > > > > alignments. Therefore, I don't feel real comfortable having them
> work
> > > > > on this. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> > > > Have you had the power steering pump removed or replaced? This is what
> > > > normally causes the belt to come out of alignment. Was the Generator
> > > > replaced at one time? And did you install these belts and then the
> > problem
> > > > occurred or were you installing these items to correct the squeal. And
> > what
> > > > exactly kind of squeal are you referring too........A belt squeal or
> > pulley
> > > > squeal. You throw me off by saying all the pulleys turn freely
>
> > > > Glenn Beasley
> > > > Chrysler Tech
>
> > > power steering pump was not replaced by me. I purchased this vehicle
> > > used and don't have previous history. The squealing is a belt squeal.
> > > I mentioned the other pulleys turning freely just to clarify that the
> > > bearings in those areas were checked and are good. The first belt
> > > broke soon after I purchased the vehicle. I replaced the belt and
> > > tensioner. 15K miles later the belt began fraying on one edge so I
> > > replaced it. Several days later it began squealing very badly. Taking
> > > a closer look now it appears that as the belt moves over the idler it
> > > is not properly aligned and that is causing the high pitched squeal.
> > > As I try to eyeball the belt, it looks like the alternator is the one
> > > out of alignment. I'll look again at the PS pump.
>
> > > Don
>
> > You are almost going to have to have the vehicle in the air to see if the
> > power steering pump is the one causing it. A piece of long heater hose
> will
> > locate the squeal by putting one end to your ear and the other end where
> the
> > noise is coming from, My bet is the squeal is coming off the power
> steering
> > pump because the pulley is not on properly.
>
> > Glenn- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Glenn,
> Thanks for your responses. I just noticed that my original post said I
> had a 3.8cc engine. Wow, now that would be a small engine! I know you
> guys all knew what I meant.
>
> I think you may be right about the power sterring pump pulley
> alignment. To fix that can the pump bracket just be loosened and re-
> aligned? or does a bracket bend and need to be replaced? I'll probably
> have my mechanic get it up on the hoist to do this. It may be a
> seperate issue but the tensioner pulley still does not align with the
> alternator and A/C pulleys.
>
> Don
>
> Chrysler Made the 3.3 and a 3.8. both engine applications the same except
> horsepower. You say you removed the tensioner and reinstalled it.....did you
> make sure to get the pin lined up in the hole with the bracket?. If all is
> correct and you suspect it is the power steering pump pulley out of
> alignment you will have to remove and reinstall the pulley to the pump with
> the specify shim spacer. This shim spacer tool is what stops the pulley from
> going on to far or not far enough to properly align the belt. Chrysler Does
> make a kit that may help with alignment. me personally, if the belt squeals,
> it is out of alignment and the kit should not be needed. Find out what's out
> of alignment. Did you locate the squeal by using a piece of hose like I
> suggested?
>
> Glenn- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Glenn
Yes the pin is lined up correctly with the tensioner. I didn't have a
piece of heater hose so I tried my shop vac hose. I couldn't get it
very close to the ps pulley but there was no obvious squeal from the
front pulleys, so I'm pretty sure the ps pump pulley is the problem.
Sounds like a special tool is required? correct?

Don
 >> Stay informed about: serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine 

<dchost DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:c7512688-f97c-409e-ac7a-930fe46f8b76@k2g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
On Jan 9, 2:11 pm, "maxpower" <damnnickn... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> <dch... DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:abb79e84-9bf5-4be3-b3ae-ef1a34d7a1f1@1g2000hsl.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 8, 1:38 pm, "maxpower" <damnnickn... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:>
<dch... DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> >news:7f280ca3-3942-4752-8043-b71641994eb7@f3g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...>
>
> On Jan 7, 5:52 am, "maxpower" <damnnickn... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > > > <dch... DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> >news:d6f9471a-f43b-4147-9c1c-7db736f9b891@v67g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
> > > > > Help!
> > > > > I am having problems with the serpentine belt sqealing on my 1999
> T&C
> > > > > with the 3.8cc engine. I replaced the belt and tensioner but it
> > > > > certainly appears that not all the pulleys are in alignment. All
the
> > > > > idler and other pulleys rotate smoothly and freely when the belt
is
> > > > > off. It looks like the alternator pulley may be the one that is
out
> of
> > > > > alignment with the rest of the pulleys. Is there any history of
the
> > > > > alternator mounting bracket moving, bending, warping, etc? I never
> had
> > > > > any problem with the squealing until I installed a new belt when
the
> > > > > previous belt had some visible edge damage. The previous belt and
> the
> > > > > tensioner had been replaced 15K miles earlier. I removed the
> tensioner
> > > > > again and it still looks good. I have never had a problem with the
> > > > > belt coming off like many others have. According to my local
> Chrysler
> > > > > dealer, there is no history of problems with these belts or pulley
> > > > > alignments. Therefore, I don't feel real comfortable having them
> work
> > > > > on this. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> > > > Have you had the power steering pump removed or replaced? This is
what
> > > > normally causes the belt to come out of alignment. Was the Generator
> > > > replaced at one time? And did you install these belts and then the
> > problem
> > > > occurred or were you installing these items to correct the squeal.
And
> > what
> > > > exactly kind of squeal are you referring too........A belt squeal or
> > pulley
> > > > squeal. You throw me off by saying all the pulleys turn freely
>
> > > > Glenn Beasley
> > > > Chrysler Tech
>
> > > power steering pump was not replaced by me. I purchased this vehicle
> > > used and don't have previous history. The squealing is a belt squeal.
> > > I mentioned the other pulleys turning freely just to clarify that the
> > > bearings in those areas were checked and are good. The first belt
> > > broke soon after I purchased the vehicle. I replaced the belt and
> > > tensioner. 15K miles later the belt began fraying on one edge so I
> > > replaced it. Several days later it began squealing very badly. Taking
> > > a closer look now it appears that as the belt moves over the idler it
> > > is not properly aligned and that is causing the high pitched squeal.
> > > As I try to eyeball the belt, it looks like the alternator is the one
> > > out of alignment. I'll look again at the PS pump.
>
> > > Don
>
> > You are almost going to have to have the vehicle in the air to see if
the
> > power steering pump is the one causing it. A piece of long heater hose
> will
> > locate the squeal by putting one end to your ear and the other end where
> the
> > noise is coming from, My bet is the squeal is coming off the power
> steering
> > pump because the pulley is not on properly.
>
> > Glenn- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Glenn,
> Thanks for your responses. I just noticed that my original post said I
> had a 3.8cc engine. Wow, now that would be a small engine! I know you
> guys all knew what I meant.
>
> I think you may be right about the power sterring pump pulley
> alignment. To fix that can the pump bracket just be loosened and re-
> aligned? or does a bracket bend and need to be replaced? I'll probably
> have my mechanic get it up on the hoist to do this. It may be a
> seperate issue but the tensioner pulley still does not align with the
> alternator and A/C pulleys.
>
> Don
>
> Chrysler Made the 3.3 and a 3.8. both engine applications the same except
> horsepower. You say you removed the tensioner and reinstalled it.....did
you
> make sure to get the pin lined up in the hole with the bracket?. If all is
> correct and you suspect it is the power steering pump pulley out of
> alignment you will have to remove and reinstall the pulley to the pump
with
> the specify shim spacer. This shim spacer tool is what stops the pulley
from
> going on to far or not far enough to properly align the belt. Chrysler
Does
> make a kit that may help with alignment. me personally, if the belt
squeals,
> it is out of alignment and the kit should not be needed. Find out what's
out
> of alignment. Did you locate the squeal by using a piece of hose like I
> suggested?
>
> Glenn- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Glenn
Yes the pin is lined up correctly with the tensioner. I didn't have a
piece of heater hose so I tried my shop vac hose. I couldn't get it
very close to the ps pulley but there was no obvious squeal from the
front pulleys, so I'm pretty sure the ps pump pulley is the problem.
Sounds like a special tool is required? correct?

Don
Not sure about the special tool, When you buy a P/S pump the shim is
supposed to be in the pump box.
 >> Stay informed about: serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine 

>> > > Help!
>> > > I am having problems with the serpentine belt sqealing on my 1999 T&C
>> > > with the 3.8cc engine. I replaced the belt and tensioner but it
>> > > certainly appears that not all the pulleys are in alignment. All the
>> > > idler and other pulleys rotate smoothly and freely


You can find the some information about this problem at the following link:
http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/showthread.php?t=4693&highlight=serpe...ne+belt

Hope this helps.
Larry
 >> Stay informed about: serpentine belt misalignment squealing on 3.8 engine