What does serpentine belt do on Dodge Ram?

A serpentine belt setup as used on the second generation Dodge Ram utilizes a tensioner to maintain proper belt tension and reduce the chances of belt slip on the accessory pulleys. Accompanied with low ratio pulleys, a serpentine belt setup improves fuel economy and reduces the load on the engine compared to a multi-belt setup.

How do you reinstall a serpentine belt on an auto tensioner?

Reverse the procedure to reinstall the serpentine belt on the pulley system auto tensioner. Be careful to get the belt on the the other pulleys and aligned properly on all parts of the complicated routing, then apply the tool to allow the belt to be slipped onto the tensioner pulley.

What does the serpentine belt tool kit do?

The serpentine belt tool kit makes it easy to precisely position idler pulleys and get belts set to the perfect tension. We guarantee this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of purchase. Limitations apply.

How do you check the tightness of a serpentine belt?

Check the tension by twisting the belt and measure the twist margin. If the tightness of the belt is right, tighten the screw in place to assert the firmness. Put the cover of the pulley back in place. Turn on the engine and observe the vibrations of bearings and pulleys, plus the spinning of the serpentine belt.

Can a serpentine drive belt be changed on a Dodge Hemi?

This is a step by step instructional video on how to replace your serpentine drive belt on your dodge hemi v8 engine. The belt tensioner is also changed during the process. Whether you have a Ram Truck, Challenger, Charger, or Magnum Hemi engine, the repair will be similar to what is shown here. Loading…

When to replace serpentine belt on Dodge Avenger?

Replacing the serpentine belt or even the tensioner can solve a squealing or chirping noise that occurs on startup, when the AC is engaged or even when a power steering load is placed on the pump. The Dodge Avenger has a notorious issue with the alternator decoupler pulley.

What kind of belt does a Dodge Ram have?

The main drive belt or serpentine belt is important on any vehicle, but some have more than one belt to drive components from the crankshaft. The Dodge Ram and similar truck models have one true serpentine belt, a multi-ribbed belt that fits into grooves on various pulleys, that Dodge suggests inspecting for wear every 15,000 miles or 12 months.

What’s the best way to replace a serpentine belt?

Auto tensioners have either a hole that will fit a half inch drive ratchet, or a bolt you can use a socket to apply pressure to. Insert the wrench or place the socket over the bolt on the tensioner and twist it away from the belt to relieve the tension on it.

How do you change the belt on a Cummins diesel?

Look at diagram and route belt through pulleys fairly easily, pulling belt up to where the tensioner pulley should be. 6. Pop belt off of AC or Crankshaft 7. Re install tensioner with belt on the proper side. 8. Go back underneath and release tensioner pulley with ratchet and slip belt onto bottom pulley. 9. Replace air box.

What is the serpentine belt on a Dodge Ram?

The serpentine belt on the 1996 Dodge Ram operates the air conditioner, power steering, water pump and the alternator. The belt is a multi-ribbed belt that travels inside of the grooves of each accessory pulley. As the belt is traveling around the accessory pulleys, an adjustable tensioner keeps the proper amount of tension on the belt.

What’s the best way to replace a Dodge Ram belt?

Bluesmoke91 definitely has some good advice too, make sure the belt is properly seated in all the grooves before, and after you put it on the tensioner pulley.

How to change the serpentine belt on a 6.7 Cummins?

To start, pop the hood and locate where the belt sits. It should be easy to find as it snakes around several components. Next, release the tensioner from the A/C pulley, then remove the airbox. Undo one bolt and release the tensioner. Rotate it clockwise to move it out of the path.

When do I need to replace my serpentine belt?

When to Replace Your Serpentine Belt. If you notice that your belt has damage or wear, but it’s still working and not making noise, should you still replace it? In short, yes. It’s better to regularly replace your serpentine belt when it shows signs of wear or damage rather than let it break when you’re on the road.

What to do if your serpentine belt is worn?

A worn or damaged serpentine belt can fail to adequately transfer the power, leaving your alternator, power steering, and air conditioning failing to function. If your serpentine belt needs to be replaced, it can be done using only common hand tools. Pull the hood release inside the cabin of the vehicle.

Where do I find the serpentine belt routing diagram?

Find the serpentine belt routing diagram. Many cars come with a sticker in the engine bay that shows exactly how the serpentine belt is supposed to be routed through the various pulleys on the engine. If your vehicle does not have a sticker, you will need to find another way to remember how the belt should be run.

How is the tension set on a serpentine belt?

Depending on the application, your serpentine belt will either have tension placed on it using a movable bracket or an auto tensioner pulley. This pulley uses an internal spring to apply consistent pressure to the belt at all times. If your vehicle does not have a tensioner pulley, the alternator bracket is likely how tension is set on the belt.

How can I tell when to replace my serpentine belt?

Your mechanic can let you know when to replace the serpentine belt or how many miles it has left. Look on the inside of the belt (the ribbed side that touches the pulleys on the alternator, water pumps, and other engine accessories).

How did the serpentine belt get its name?

The serpentine belt is aptly named for the way it snakes around the pulleys inside the engine bay. This long, winding rubber belt powers many of the important systems of your vehicle by transferring power from the engine’s crankshaft to the accessory pulleys.

What kind of belt does a Dodge Ram use?

The development of the serpentine belt (sometimes referred to as a multi-rib or poly-v belt) has allowed engineers to not only reduce the amount of space necessary to drive the accessories, but to increase belt life.

How do you remove a serpentine belt on a Cummins diesel?

I’ve applied tension to the tensioner with my 1/2″ drive socket and moved the ten. about 1/4″ according to my service manual but nothing seems to open up to allow for enough room behind the tensioner to remove the belt?

What happens if a serpentine belt wears out?

These accessories provide power to important vehicle systems – the electrical system, the power steering system, the cooling system, and even the A/C system. The serpentine belt is responsible for turning all of them. The serpentine belt may not be prone to breaking, but it does wear out over time.

When to replace the serpentine belt on a Dodge Ram 1500?

While a serpentine belt setup is simple and easily maintained, an overlooked belt can leave you stranded if it breaks. Take a few moments to replace your old belt as it is one of the easiest maintenance items on your truck. This article applies to the 2nd generation Dodge Ram 1500 (1994-2001).

Where is the wrench on a Dodge Ram?

Close-up of routing diagram for 3.9L, 5.2L, and 5.9L engines. On the passenger’s side of the engine, place your 15mm wrench or ratchet/breaker bar with a 15mm socket on the belt tensioner bolt.

How do you remove a serpentine belt from a car?

Pull the belt off of the pulleys. With the tension relieved from the belt, pull it off of the pulley that has been placing tension on it, then remove it from the around the rest of the pulleys on the engine. If the belt is severely damaged, be sure to remove any parts that may have come off of it as well.

What happens if a serpentine belt goes bad?

The serpentine belt in most modern vehicles transfers power from the crank pulley to the various accessories mounted on the engine. A worn or damaged serpentine belt can fail to adequately transfer the power, leaving your alternator, power steering, and air conditioning failing to function.

What to do if your Dodge Ram is leaking coolant?

To aid you in your search, one of the best things you can do is get a very large white piece (s) of paper and place them on the ground under your engine as well as radiator. Make sure the whole area is covered. You will most likely find antifreeze, water, and oil.

Where is the drain valve on a Dodge Ram?

The first is actually the coolant petcock or drain valve on the lower end of the radiator itself. Double check this valve for leaks. The other two are on the bottom front of the engine block near the motor mounts, toward the center. These easily rust over.