My mom has a 99 grand caravan with the 3.8l v6. Whenever it rains the stock belt would come off but only when raining. I got to searching and this is very common so i bought the gates belt/pulley kit that comes with a double ribbed belt and ribbed pulleys. Since then it has never came off. but ever since the gates change it squeeks like hell. I have used belt dressing and soap with releive for about 24 hours then back to squeeking. has anyone else expierenced this issue?

 

Yep. Belt dressing makes them even worse.

Try dielectric grease (or other silicon based lubricant). It won't wash off. It seems to work for several months in our rainy season on Gates belts.

BTW, I won't use Gates belts. They have always squealed for me on both a Caravan and a Cavalier. I prefer AC/Delco belts. Never had problems - they are softer and more pliable.

BUT, the cross cut on the Gates may be needed to allow water to escape to prevent the belt from coming off if doused from a splash of water.

 

Gaterback belts is another great alternative. Mine stopped slipping off when I used them and they never squeel.

 

I have a '99 Caravan Sport w/ 199,00 miles. While this vehicle has been quite dependable my belt squeals when wet. Very annoying to say the least. It seems my gas mileage has gone down quite a bit. I used to get 375-400 miles per tank and now I'm lucky to get 300. I get oil changes regularly and have maintained the van by the book. I don't know why the mileage has gone down. Any ideas? Also just found out that my shock mounts are very rusted and I'm wondering if any others have had one break?

 

shock mounts in that model van were the worst they all rot there (96-00models)
they will break and the strut mount will push up the cowl and hood. (dodge even make a repair kit to recap them, most bodyshops have their own templates to re fab the metal)
bodyshops weld em in, the chrysler kit is held in with structural adhesive.

one van I had was touching the underside of the cowl on drivers side and the passenger side had 1.5" clearance, for what these vans are worth I decided it wasnt worth it to repair and scrapped it.

as for the milage issue
tires up to appropriate pressure?
fuel your using?
air filter?
colder temps outside now?
different habits(idling more?)

 

msfloorgirl
Welcome to DF
Dodge caravan's do have a rust problem with strut body mounts. There is a TSB for the parts and the repair. If you would like the TSB, just post. Can you post the TSB.

 

So there is a repair kit w/ adhesive or you can choose to have a body shop weld the mounts. Any knowledge on cost factor? An adhesive or a weld ??

 

Could be warming the car up in the AM - I guess. I actually was guessing that our gasoline isn't as pure as years ago. And perhaps is filtered with ethanol ?? Just a wild guess :-)