Belt Tensioner Purchase Help

[doitmyself]

Finally I can address my squeaky serpentine belt problem. I am pretty sure the tensioner is shot because it "bounces" alot as soon as the air conditioner engages and there is a tiny bit of slippage/belt chirping.

05 Caravan with 2.4 engine. Do aftermarket units work well compared to OEM? I am considering Gates, but would consider other brands if you guys have good experience.

Thank you.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I don't kow for sure on a 2.4 but I will tell you when I bought my Dakota it had a bad belt squeal. I bought the truck used with 42K on it. I changed out the belt, it still had the problem.

I bought an aftermarket tensioner at AZ for about $30.00, installed it and then the belt kept slinging off the pulleys right when I started the truck. Thinking something was wrong with the AZ tensioner I exchanged it for another one at AZ. Same problem.

Then I looked at the picture of the tensioner for my truck on the Napa web site. It was different in construction and was obviously built differently from the AZ tensioner. It also cost about $80.00. I took my original tensioner to Napa and compared it to their tensioner. It finally dawned on me that the Napa part was the one I needed since it was built exactly the same as my original tensioner. I bought the Napa tensioner and installed it and have had no more tensioner or belt trouble since. That was over 5 years and 100,000 miles ago.

My point is yes, an aftermarket tensioner will work fine. Just be sure the new part is the same style and construction as the old part.

 

[The_Jeff]

Those caravans have a special shock absorber in the alternator pulley!! I would check to make sure this is not shot.

 

[Boomer]

Helped friends with this on the same vehicle. Applied silicone grease (dielectric) to the RIBBED side of the belt in a few placwes, turned the engine on and let the grease distribute. Problem solved for 12-15 months. Then repeat. Do NOT use petroleum based grease.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Those caravans have a special shock absorber in the alternator pulley!! I would check to make sure this is not shot.



elje, my service manual describe the 2.4L alternator as just having a pulley. The 3.3 and 3.8 have a decoupler pulley which is described as "generator decoupler is a one way clutch and should be replaced as an assembly. It is designed to help reduce belt tension fluctuation, reduce fatigue loads, improve belt life, reduce hubloads on components......"

The silicone on the belt is an interesting idea, but makes no sense to me....this belt is only about one year old...replaced during timing belt job.

Anyone else want to chime in about aftermarket tensioners (above advice noted)?

Thanks.

 

[BetaBear]

Aftermarket tensioners work well, provided the one your using is for the application. We use aftermarket tensioners all the time at work, and haven't heard of a comeback due to a bad aftermarket tensioner yet.

Always, always compare the new pulley to the old one. Fit and function are very important. We use Carquest tensioners, but I'm sure any other one from autozone or napa or anywhere else will work just fine, granted they are the same design and not some wierd looking pulley that doesn't match the old one. Goes for any aftermarket part. if it doesn't match the old one or look like a reinforced version of the old one, don't use it.

I would give it a go with the tensioner. The differences are usually in the warranty, so choose based on price and warranty.

Good luck

 

[Propflux01]

Have had no problems here. THe one I got from Autozone was great quality, and made from supplier of OEM.

 

[onion]

I've run into occasional problems with tensioners that don't fit correctly. But as long as things line up correctly, they usually work fine.

If only the bearing in the tensioner pulley has failed, I prefer to replace only the pulley. But if there's an alignment problem, then you generally have to replace the whole assembly.

 

[mechtech2]

Don't use sauce on the belt. And why dielectric? What purpose does electrical conductivity have to do with anything?

Clean the pulleys and idlers. Down to the metal. Wire brushes, etc.
Get a tensioner if you need it.

 

[ffhdriver]

Probably he wanted to use a silicone grease and the dielectric was the only one he had.

 

[EricF]

I've only had issues with aftermarket tensioners when I got them from kragen. the AZ ones I've used worked, and fit correctly but didn't last long (bearings gave out too soon,like 3 years).
I've used the goodyear tensioners and they're really good, however, I like the gates ones much better. so far they've all fit perfectly with no swaying from the OE part.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
(bearings gave out too soon,like 3 years).
I've used the goodyear tensioners and they're really good, however, I like the gates ones much better


+1
On the Dayco ones i used the bearings failed at an alarming rate in the middle of winter when temps were near or below 0f.
Goodyears and Gates have been fine, no complaints.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Those caravans have a special shock absorber in the alternator pulley!! I would check to make sure this is not shot.



elje, my service manual describe the 2.4L alternator as just having a pulley. The 3.3 and 3.8 have a decoupler pulley which is described as "generator decoupler is a one way clutch and should be replaced as an assembly. It is designed to help reduce belt tension fluctuation, reduce fatigue loads, improve belt life, reduce hubloads on components......"

The silicone on the belt is an interesting idea, but makes no sense to me....this belt is only about one year old...replaced during timing belt job.

Anyone else want to chime in about aftermarket tensioners (above advice noted)?

Thanks.


roger that i stand corrected.

 

[mechtech2]

Just a note:
You can pick the cover off of the bearings [they will snap back on] and regrease them. Good for a few years more if the bearings are otherwise OK.

 

[Boomer]

Yes, dielectric grease is silcone grease. If you work in a chem lab, get Corning Silicone High Vacuum grease as it works just as well. Chrysler belts will develop annoying squeaks and squeals. This method quiets it down, the belt goes on to live a long life and folks are happy. It is an easy and quite inexpensive remedy that has worked on many Chryslers for a long time.