Undamaged Serpentine Belt Came Off: Possible Fixes?

[BlackVenom]

I drove my 2000 GTS last weekend for the first time since I moved into my new house several months ago. When I was returning from a 30 minute drive, I noticed the power steering was really stiff like the last time I lost the belt. Upon further inspection in my garage, the belt was completely off and laying in the engine compartment as if it had simply popped off while driving. I had the belt replaced two years ago and since I rarely drive the car, it still looks brand new. (No marks, no splits, no damage on the edges) The work was done at the dealership, so it is an OEM belt with Mopar makings.

Is it possible my tensioner pulley spring has failed? If so, can I just replace the tensioner or do I need to also replace the pulley and the belt?

Here is the tensioner listed on AutoZone: (does it include the pulley?)
https://www.autozone.com/external-engine/belt-tensioner/continental-belt-tensioner/821018_687418_0

I will still take it into Tomball Dodge for an inspection, but I want to avoid paying for the tow to the dealer, like the last time the belt shredded.

Thanks,

BlackVenom

 

[nmp1]

did the crank bolt come loose?

 

[Bonkers]

Check the power steering pump pulley - its a known
weak point and its possible its broken (or spun off)
the shaft.

 

[BlackVenom]

Thanks for the suggestions.

It is supposed to warm up to 70+ degrees this weekend in the Houston area, so I will review the rest of the belts path to see if anything is missing or loose.

BlackVenom

 

[BlackVenom]

I looked at the power steering pump pulley and it wobbles when you spin it. The pulley is cracked in several places, but it is still on the shaft. Can I just replace the pulley or do I need a new power steering pump, as well?

Here are a couple of photos I took of the pulley:
View media item 70104View media item 70105View media item 70106View media item 70107

 

[ViperJeff]

damn!!!!

 

[Steve-Indy]

Very common issue !! You NEED to replace both the pulley and the bracket with the billet aluminum kit from IPSCO....available for about $200.00 from JonB at Parts Rack. I have replaced these fragile OEM items on all of our Gen II Vipers as well as our 96 R/T 10 which has the same setup. In our case, "I" means Tom Sessions was kind enough to do this for me.

Because of the high failure rate noted (including the fragile OEM Gen I bracket), I keep 2 of the IPSCO kits in my garage for fellow Members in need. If these components fail on the road, it's flatbed time as there is no work around.

 

[Gen3CoupeTX]

Ouch! Thanks for sharing. I no longer have a Gen 2, but never say never. Now I will have to put the paranoid eye on this area of my Gen 3 ... Unless they OEM improved this area.

 

[MoparMap]

The gen 3 setup has been pretty solid for me. I've replaced my pump several times trying to track down a problem that turned out to be a bad valve in the hydraulic cooling module and the pulley has been solid. It claims you're not supposed to reuse it, but I've reused my stock one on something like the 4th pump I've put in it with no problems.

 

[mazcona]

I have a 2000 GTS and found the exact same problem. The class 10 bolt came loose from the end of the crank shaft which ensures the harmonic balancer is tight against a tapered shoulder. Your pulley assembly and harmonic balancer depend on this bolt to ensure rigidity. The crankshaft metal was machined off by the harmonic balancer which requires you to pull the engine remove the crankshaft and either replace or rebuild, balance and reinstall. My cost was 10k. Thanks

 

[Bruce]

Wow mazcona 10K ouch! I kept losing my belt on 2000 GTS too. Crank bolt was loose and dealership tighten. No further problem.

 

[BlackVenom]

I have a 2000 GTS and found the exact same problem. The class 10 bolt came loose from the end of the crank shaft which ensures the harmonic balancer is tight against a tapered shoulder. Your pulley assembly and harmonic balancer depend on this bolt to ensure rigidity. The crankshaft metal was machined off by the harmonic balancer which requires you to pull the engine remove the crankshaft and either replace or rebuild, balance and reinstall. My cost was 10k. Thanks

Wow! I hope I do not have that problem, as well...

Still waiting to take mine in.