2013 Dodge Durango, 3.8 L V-6

Preventative maintenance on the 2013 Dodge Durango. The serpentine belt has 90,000 miles on it, so it's time to replace it before it breaks out on the road somewhere.

The first step is to watch a couple of youtube videos, to see how it's done. This guy made it look easy, so I decided to go for it.



Local auto parts stores didn't have my belt, so I went online to get it. Delivered two days later.

Then print off a belt routing diagram to make sure I can get it threaded back over all those pulleys correctly. 7 of 'em! My car is missing that one on the bottom right - what's that? Oh crap, does that mean the belt I purchased will be too long?



Tools. All I needed was a 5/16" socket and a 1/2" square lug socket.



There she is. Remove the air cleaner stuff on top to gain access. Put the 1/2" lug in the belt tensioner on bottom left (red arrow). Pull to contract the coil spring inside and relieve the tension. Slip the old belt off. Slip the new belt on. Release the tensioner. Make sure the ridges in the belt are seated centered in the grooves in the pulleys. Easy peasy! Cross your fingers and start the engine to test it. Good to go!



And finally, put the old belt in the trunk to serve as an emergency spare, should I ever break a belt while out on the road.



Done!

- John Rich, Katy, Texas