Dodge Grand Caravan Idler and Tensioner Pulley DIY

How to replace your Idler and Tensioner Pullies on your Dodge Grand Caravan.

[@limamantapachitas]

I installed the tensioner pulley upside down and could not get the proper tension, did not realize it was a pin to match it with the hole, no wonder my tensioner did not spring after installed, now i got it right and working as it should saving me some money, Thanks for your video

[@paulzemotel567]

Excellent DIY video!! No need to remove the passenger side front tire... put my wife's 2005 Grand Caravan up on some ramps and had it done in less than 90 minutes! Would have been under an hour, but my breaker bar wouldn't fit in that tight spot (my belt tensioner was different than yours), so I had to wait to borrow one from a friend. MANY thanks!!!

[@colbyscheer4839]

Thank you so much for this GREAT video! I did the work today on my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. I didn't have a breaker bar, but the local parts store let me borrow a Serpentine Belt change tool..did the trick.

[@martyedge32]

Thanks for taking the time to post this video. Very informative.

[@Anthony_in_Bloomington_Indiana]

Thank you for showing how to release the tension on the tensioner. That's the part I was wondering about. I'm going to help a friend change the serpentine belt on his 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. The Dodge engineers didn't make anything easy to work on or cheap. There should be at least another 2 engines on the side of the engine with the pulleys. I prefer Toyotas. They're much more reliable than anything made by Dodge and they're easier to work on.

[@trondgrendar7160]

Great instructions, good movie with lights and all. Made the job quite easy. The square hole in the tensioner is not 3/8 but 1/2 inch. You cannot get a ratchet in there though because of the frame so I used one of the irons that are used to lower the spare wheel. I got he parts from Autozone, don't buy the kit - it is 139 USD, I got the separate parts with the tensioner/pulley the other pulley and the serpentine belt for 76 USD. Thanks to the guy at Autozone. Thanks a lot for posting this film!!

[@royzahney5740]

Mine is a 2000 Caravan with two belts but almost exact set up with the idler and tensioner - thinking of starting the work with out my husband since it looks so simple to do.

[@rorysinghofficial]

Very good video. Detailed and informative. Thanks

[@foop1]

good video just to let people to know most of the time the whining noise usually come from the alternator in the caravan

[@Sonicxtacy02]

Used this on my 06 caravan, could not have been easier. Thanks

[@willyskilt]

Thanks for the video. I plan to do this on a 2005. Probably about the same or close enough as this 2001

[@4cClubT]

Got a 05 3.3 caravan and manufacture made sure no clearance for regular 1/2 drive ratchet will fit between firewall and tensioner,need tensioner tool

[@rounddancefan1]

will this work for a 1996 dodge caravan se 3.3v6 mine is squealing while driving down the hwy, also the rpms are kind od bouncing up & down. i dont know if that related to it!!

[@GerryJ08]

Great how to video. How many miles or Kilometers up here in Canada did your vehicle have when you did this job? Now that you've done it would you have done it any differently or with other tools and if so why? Thanks

[@MDP2112]

did you ever find the source of the squeek? I have a similar problem. everything but the Psteering is new but it still squeels. I even tried a 1 in shorter belt.

[@Sasquatch7foot]

How many miles on an engine before I need to change on my 96' van.... I'm disabled at the moment, but by spring/early summer I should be OK to work on this project..... Thanks for the informative video....was a big help

[@DennnisDubeau]

Nice infos... Thanks dude!

[@tremayne3]

That's a clean engine !!!

[@aaronmurphy5060]

Thanks for sharing, I found this useful in my problem. I replaced just the idler, it did the trick on the wretched noises my van had. Belt pops off when ever it gets wet. Windshield wiper spray jet tubing snapped in transit, belt came off. Idler is just one bolt away from done at that point. Now it is quiet and pleasant. Bet that belt still pops off easy though. Anyone know the difference between 90mm and 76.2mm size idler pulleys? Both are stated as fitting my vehicle, which I found odd.

[@kangkang44]

Thanks...but you kind of skipped past the hardest part--that nut for the tension housing. I removed that L shaped angle bracket behind the power steering pump, and then I could get to that nut with a universal-joint-15mm socket (a 3/8 universal adapter and a 15mm socket will also fit) and a 5" 3/8 extension. I was a bit shocked opening the box for the tensioner and seeing no nut on the front! It first looked impossible to remove--but that nut is accessible with a the right sockets.

[@Bocomm]

I have an 2002 grand caravan with a 3.8 and we replaced the power steering pump and then serpentine belt and everything is good but its squeaking and i cant figure out whats causing it.

[@pseudonumber]

Great stuff, i wouldn't be picking up the plastic push screws for the shroud had i not watched. Probably saved me a trip. Great video, not overdone, all useful, thanx.

[@sarllc141]

Well explain diy video!

[@ericcheng5792]

May I know the brand name/model of the break bar you used to release the tensioner? My breaker bars are too thick to get into the square. Thanks!

[@Stacilovely]

So I got my Socket wrench stuck in between tensioner pulley and wheel well. I dont even know how I accomplished that one now I cant get it out there is absolutly no room? Not enough room to get a grinder in there either any suggestions?

[@PMPDaddy68]

it had about 103,000 miles on it. Nope wouldn't change a thing in the way I went about doing it. was quick and easy for me.

[@tatekid2004]

Is this the reason the serpentine belt keeps slipping off?

[@sevoak]

Nice work.

[@njhunter831]

I have had 3 tensioner replaced now they only last 3 months at a time I keep changing them going through tons of money I been to 3 mechanics they all say its the tensioner the tried multiple auto part stores nothing been able to work on the 1998 grand dodge caravan please help????

[@scooter12368]

What made you believe that you needed a new tensioner and idler pulley? Did you have chirp?

[@vasilestana9754]

Are both Idler and Tensioner pulleys the same? Or is the Tensioner pulley sold as an assembly together with the tensioner? Where did you get them from?

[@kevdm9999]

easy for me too,thank you

[@brucebisel376]

I may have installed alternator wrong. I replaced both idler and tensioner pulleys. I may have the belt routed wrong. I may have put tensioner on upside down? Anyways i have the new belt routed, but have 2 inches of play after I tighten tensioner? Any suggestions?

[@PMPDaddy68]

bruce bisel rewatch the video to see. There should be some play in the belt but not much. Perhaps tighten the alternator ?

[@MyMojo68]

how did you now it was bad? Mine is making a growling noise. Power steering seems fine,AC seems fine,water pump is not leaking. 2006 grand caravan. Alternator is in the front. Noise is coming from the middle to rear.

[@phatbarbie9445]

W

[@humbertomartinez1419]

Hello I jus have a question for you. .How to install the towing bars in a minivan 01 I want to towed with my ram 2500. Can I do that?

[@1foxtrot70]

The only way you can tow a front wheel drive mini van or any other front wheel vehicle is to use a "Car-Caddy" since the rear wheels are free rolling. If you have an AWD vehicle then a trailer will be required to get the AWD vehicle up off the ground. This device requires you to hitch the "CAR-CADDY" to your Dodge Ram 2500 then, drive the front wheels up on to it then, strap in place the front wheels with the straps provided on the "Car-Caddy" then, hook up the trailer light connections for the "CAR-CADDY" and if availiable the extended rear light bar temporary mounted to the rear of the minivan then, with a spare key unlock steering wheel then, set the parking brake "OFF". Now you are ready to tow the vehicle. Hope this helps.

[@itzjason9384]

thx for the video make it easy to do it yourself...

[@iisgod1]

i did this and the little peg got cought in the hole took me an hour and a half to get it out

[@PMPDaddy68]

yeah i know exactly what you mean, that's why i made this video. No others existed unless you wanted to pay for it.

[@thebigdille]

Thank you :)

[@PMPDaddy68]

They get old and wear out over time, would rather replace it than it leave me stranded. Just check it when you replace belts, if they spin quickly or make noise when you spin them, they are ready to be replaced.

[@PMPDaddy68]

not really sure the part your talking about, the video showed every step. unless you bought just a roller and not the entire piece ???

[@alexlowman7045]

Fuck man we already know where all this lines up we can see where the bolts go we are looking for the stupid tensioner pulley is.

[@taviangt]

You should list the tools needed in the description awesome video though

[@Master_of_sparks_Steve12768]

Shawn, who was the manufacturer of the tensioner pulley you bought with the breaker bar slot on it? I know you may not remember since it's such an old video.

[@cptplatypus9401]

this job sucked... your video made it suck less! great note about the body clips, now only if the O'Reilly guy could have given me the right part it would have saved me a trip!