Repair 7

Drive Belt Assembly Instructions for the 1997 Dodge Dakota V6

The engine accessories on the 1997 Dodge Dakota V6 engine are driven by a single drive belt. The belt is routed around all of the engine accessories in such a way that it operates each accessory. As the belt is being driven around the alternator, the air conditioner pump, the power steering pump and the water pump, it enables the accessories to function. Excessive exposure to the heat of the engine can cause the belt to fray. If you notice fraying or excessive cracking on the belt, change it as soon as possible before it breaks.

Instructions

1

Open the hood and lock it in place.

2

Locate the big crankshaft pulley on the bottom center of the engine. Wrap the belt around the bottom of the crankshaft pulley so that the ribs on the inside of the belt are seated inside the grooves of the crankshaft pulley.

3

Wrap the belt around the right side of the crankshaft pulley and over the top of the crankshaft pulley. Wrap the belt around the top of the water pump pulley with the flat surface of the belt inside the water pump pulley.

4

Pull the belt over to the power steering pump pulley. Route the belt completely around the power steering pump pulley, with the inside ribs of the belt seated inside the grooves of the power steering pump pulley.

5

Pull the belt over the top of the air conditioner pulley, with the ribs of the belt seated inside the pulley.

6

Pull the belt under the idler pulley, with the flat surface of the belt against the surface of the pulley.

7

Pull the belt up and around the alternator pulley, with the ribs of the belt seated inside the alternator pulley grooves.

8

Move back down to the crankshaft and pull the left side of the belt up and around the air pump pulley. The only pulley left is the belt tensioner pulley.

9

Locate the bolt head in the middle of the belt tensioner pulley. Position a breaker bar and a metric socket on the bolt head. Turn the breaker bar counterclockwise to move the tensioner out of the way of the belt. Slide the flat surface of the belt under the tensioner pulley and release the breaker bar. Remove the breaker bar from the tensioner and the engine compartment.

10

Crank the engine for 10 to 15 seconds to completely seat the belt inside each pulley.