I could use some suggestion for this irritating little problem on my 1998 caravan 3.0l Mitsubishi engine.

I was installing the valve cover gasket to reduce the oil leak and thus I figured might as well replace the two belts since they are old and off the car at the moment.

When I put everything back and ran the car, I hear this squeaking noise that was not there before.

I know I am not putting the right tension on the AC belt but I cannot find anywhere how to set the right tension with the adjusting nut before I torque the set bolt to 40 ft lbs.

I have tried searching a few forums but not much info on how to set the correct tension on the AC belt.

can someone give me a hint please?

 

I have a '98 SE with the 3.0l. I wasn't even aware you could adjust it.. Mine is just a spring loaded wheel that pushes the belt out as far as the belt lets it. Maybe the belt is too loose?

I actually bought the $106.00 kit front advance for mine and need to install it this week. Supposedly this kit fixes a belt slip issue that OEM stuff doesn't..

Spray water on the belt while the van is running, if it goes quiet it's the belt.

 

this is the AC belt I am talking about. the main serpentine belt has its own tensioner that you do not adjust.

everywhere I search, I see this but it tells me nothing.

"Adjust to specification by tightening the adjusting screw. "

 

How about right 2/8 till it stops squeaking/slipping? The belt is either too lose or too tight, probably too loose. You likely won't find the actual spec unless you have a mopar or hayes manual handy..

UPDATE: Did mine today. counter clockwised the bolt up about 1/4, loosened puller bolt, took belt off, later after other work: put belt back on, tightened pulley till about the torque it was when I took it off(judging from turn power), used ratchet to tighten adjuster bolt till it was snug and kept tightening ~3/16 till I could barely flex the belt. Seems to run fine.