Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Serpentine Belt not tracking properly

[John Berger]

Ok, here's the short version of this past weekend. I noticed I had very unusual belt wear on the smooth side of the installed belt. What I didn't notice until after I installed the new belt that the tensioner pully was completely removed from it's normal position. How it didn't fly off is beyond me. There is a retaining lip that kept it in place.

I do not know how long the original belt rode around the tensioner arm between the pulley and the tension assembly.

Anyway, I installed the new belt Saturday morning and when I started the truck I noticed the new belt smoking. Shut it down and took it off and upon further review finally discovered the pulley problem. Went to NAPA with the old belt on the truck, bought the new part, installed it with the new belt and got back home this morning (I was in Bristol for the race).

I noticed that the new belt wasn't tracking on the AC pulley correctly. It slides toward the AC unit. The whole side of that belt has started to come apart. I put the old belt on and it's tracking is worse.

My question is did I do any damage to that new belt, even in that very short time running that would have caused the belt to not track properly or do I possibly have an AC Unit pulley issue.

Stupid question (or dumb operator error). Is the NAPA part the correct assembly. It's different in structure, but fits perfectly. The body is thinker where it's bolted to the bracket, but is recessed on the "head" of the tension assembly. I'm sure it is, but want to ask anyway.

Is there a spacer that goes between the bracket and the inside of the tension assembly? I didn't notice anything like that, but we changed the part at the track after Saturday's race. It could have fallen when I pulled the old assembly.

Sighting the AC pulley and the new tension assembly pulley, they sure do seem to be lined up correctly. I installed the new tensioner and the belt as per the factory service manual.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks alot.

John

 

[terrywerm]

It is quite possible that the new belt was damaged by riding on the arm, possibly with some broken cords in it, which would definitely cause it to track incorrectly. It's hard to say for certain without seeing it though.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

John,

My a/c pulley has come loose before causing the tracking to be incorrect. If you take the belt off and can move the a/c pulley any at all you will need to replace it. When I did it 2. 5 yrs ago I had to replace the entire a/c compressor, couldn't just buy the pulley.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[John Berger]

Thanks for the responses. This place is invaluable.



The NAPA part was the problem. I went to my local Dodge dealer and got the Dodge replacement and another (#@$%! ) new belt and all is well. The NAPA part may very well be fine, and this particular part is just defective.