Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 509

Fig. 10: Belt Wear Patterns
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

When diagnosing serpentine drive belts, small cracks (1) that run across ribbed surface of belt from rib to rib,
are considered normal. These are not a reason to replace belt. However, cracks running along a rib (not across)
are not normal. Any belt with cracks running along a rib must be replaced. Also replace belt if it has excessive
wear, frayed cords or severe glazing.

SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT DIAGNOSIS CHART

1 - NORMAL CRACKS BELT OK
2 - NOT NORMAL CRACKS REPLACE BELT

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

RIB CHUNKING (ONE OR
MORE RIBS HAS
SEPARATED FROM BELT
BODY)

1. Foreign objects imbedded in
pulley grooves.

1. Remove foreign objects from
pulley grooves. Replace belt.

2. Installation damage.

2. Replace belt.

RIB OR BELT WEAR

1. Pulley(s) misaligned.

1. Align pulley(s).

2. Abrasive environment.

2. Clean pulley(s). Replace belt if
necessary.

3. Rusted pulley(s).

3. Clean rust from pulley(s).

4. Sharp or jagged pulley groove
tips.

4. Replace pulley.

5. Rubber deteriorated.

5. Replace belt.

LONGITUDINAL BELT
CRACKING (CRACKS
BETWEEN TWO RIBS)

1. Belt has mistracked from pulley
groove.

1. Replace belt.

2. Pulley groove tip has worn away
rubber to tensile member.

2. Replace belt.

BELT SLIPS

1. Belt slipping because of
insufficient tension.

1. Replace automatic belt
tensioner.

2. Belt routed incorrectly.

2. Verify belt routing.

3. Incorrect belt.

3. Replace belt.

4. Belt or pulley subjected to
substance (belt dressing, oil
ethylene glycol) that has reduced
friction.

4. Replace belt and clean pulleys.

5. Driven component bearing
failure.

5. Replace faulty component
bearing.

6. Belt glazed and hardened from
heat and excessive slippage.

6. Replace belt.

"GROOVE JUMPING" (BELT
DOES NOT MAINTAIN
CORRECT POSITION ON
PULLEY)

1. Belt tension either too high or too
low.

1. Replace automatic belt
tensioner.

2. Belt routed incorrectly.

2. Verify belt routing.

3. Incorrect belt.

3. Replace belt.

4. Pulley(s) not within design
tolerance.

4. Replace pulley(s).

5. Foreign object(s) in grooves.

5. Remove foreign objects from
grooves.

6. Pulley misalignment.

6. Check and replace.

7. Belt cord line is broken.

7. Replace belt.

BELT BROKEN (NOTE:
IDENTIFY AND CORRECT
PROBLEM BEFORE NEW
BELT IS INSTALLED)

1. Excessive tension.

1. Replace belt and automatic belt
tensioner.

2. Incorrect belt.

2. Replace belt.

3. Tensile member damaged during
belt installation.

3. Replace belt.

4. Severe misalignment.

4. Check and replace.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro

REMOVAL

REMOVAL-3.7L

5. Bracket, pulley, or bearing
failure.

5. Replace defective component
and belt.

NOISE (OBJECTIONABLE
SQUEAL, SQUEAK, OR
RUMBLE IS HEARD OR FELT
WHILE DRIVE BELT IS IN
OPERATION)

1. Belt slippage.

1. Replace belt or automatic belt
tensioner.

2. Bearing noise.

2. Locate and repair.

3. Belt misalignment.

3. Replace belt.

4. Belt-to-pulley mismatch.

4. Install correct belt.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro

Fig. 11: Identifying Belt Routing - 3.7L
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Disconnect negative battery cable.

2. Remove combination washer reservoir/coolant recovery container. See REMOVAL.

3. Rotate belt tensioner (6) until it contacts its stop. Remove belt, then slowly rotate the tensioner into the

freearm position.

REMOVAL-4.0L

Fig. 12: Accessory Drive Belt Routing - 4.0L
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - GENERATOR PULLEY
2 - ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT
3 - POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY
4 - CRANKSHAFT PULLEY
5 - IDLER PULLEY
6 - TENSIONER
7 - A/C COMPRESSOR PULLEY
8 - WATER PUMP PULLEY

CAUTION: Do not let tensioner arm snap back to the freearm position, severe damage

may occur to the tensioner.

1 - GENERATOR
2 - IDLER PULLEY
3 - WATER PUMP PULLEY
4 - CRANKSHAFT PULLEY
5 - ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSIONER

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ENGINE Cooling - Nitro