How in the heck do you replace the serpentine belt on this vehicle. The side of the engine is so close to the passenger side engine compartment that I don't see anyway to release the tension on the belt tensioner to get the belt off.
Any special tools ????

 

Matco, Snap-on and mac tools have the tool that is need for the tensioner. Or maybe you can get a 3/8 drive ratchet to release the tension.

 

I bought a serpentine belt tool for $30 at the local tool store, it has a bunch of sockets, adapters and configurations to change the belt. Your van is a ton easier than doing a belt on a quad 4. now those really suck

 

If it is only the belt, though it is a tight fit, the nut is 15MM and a box end wrench, ratchet with socket, or in my case a ratcheting box end wrench does the job. Rotate the tensioner clock wiseand the belt comes right off, putting it back on is a pisser IMHO.

 

I use a long pry bar through the wheel well.

 

I don't see how a prybar would work all that well. and if you don't have a hoist, trying to do a pry bar on your back is rather difficult. good suggestion, but in my experiences, the 15mm works the best and a $30 tensioner tool makes the job super easy

 

If you are in need of changing the tensioner there was a post with pictures in allpar.com done on a Chrysler T&C and I downloaded it to my documents. I cannot find that post on allpar but if you wish to eamil me at lazybears2@***.net I will try and send it to you.

 

You pretty much have to do one of those from underneith anyway. I can't imagine trying to do one of those belts from the top.

 

Do it from above with a belt tool or ring spanner with some extra leverage. Before you start make sure you have sourced a replacement tensioner. When I did mine the tensioner was shot and would not apply tension to the belt when I released it. Changing the tensioner is a PITA.

 

The file I have uses a ratchet, 12"extension, 4"wobble extension and a 15 MM socket (all on a 3/8" drive). Come up from below and unscrew the nut and take the tensioner off, then put tensioner in place and wedge it there as you go under and strat the nut back on.