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I have a 2008 Town & Country/Grand Voyager RT with a 2.8 CRD diesel engine from VM Motori (RA428) where the serpentine (or auxiliary or accessory) belt tensioner seems ok, but is too far out from the block, so much so that wheel or pulley is misaligned and the tensioner arm barely touches the belt. All other wheels/pulleys are aligned. I have had the tensioner off and I could not see anything between the tensioner and the block which makes the tensioner come too far out towards the belt (no spacers or any corrosion). As far as I can tell, the OEM part number for the tensioner is 4593822AC (or AA, AB). I have ordered a new one in case the arm itself is bent or warped or simply too far out, although I found no visible indication that is was (it is only a matter of about 1-2 millimeters or 0.04-0.08 inches off). I could not find any posts on this problem. Has anyone else experienced this problem and found a solution?
The tensioner seen from above by the alternator position. Close up from above - note that the belt is misaligned on the wheel/pulley and just touches the metal of the tensioner arm.
Last edited by ChryslerKen; Feb 2, 2022 at 01:39 AM.
Reason: correcting typos and adding info
Looking at the bolt next to the tensioner arm, it is not parallel to the tensioner. I would say your call to replace the tensioner is a good choice. As you noted it may be bent or warped but I would suspect the spring tension bearing where it mounts to the block to be suspect.
It certainly was the belt tensioner. The arm was not at a 90-degree angle. I assume it is the spring bearing inside the arm as ggoose said. Now the wheel is perfectly in the middle of the belt and there is good clearing between the belt and the arm. Pictures of old tensioner showing uneven gap between arm and mounting plate that attaches to the engine block, the groove from the belt touching the inside of the arm. Also the new tensioner perfectly aligned.
Old tensioner -note the uneven gap on top of the picture where it attaches to the engine block. Old tensioner arm with groves from the belt wearing against it. New tensioner perfectly aligned and good clearing between belt and tensioner arm.
2.8 CRD serpentine belt tensioner misaligned
