Dodge Durango Pentastar 3.6L V6 Serpentine Accessory Belt Replacement Guide

Dodge Durango V6 Serpentine Belt Replacement Guide
How to change the serpentine accessory belt in a 3rd generation 2011-2015 Durango with the Pentastar 3.6L engine.

ByPaul B. Michaels
Author & Photographer
Auto Mechanic Since 1989
2014 Durango 3.6L V6 Front of Engine - Accessory Belt Study Belt Routing

This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & also 2016 in Canada) Dodge Durango SUV in changing the serpentine accessory belt on the Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 motor.

Owners of other Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, Volkswagen, Lancia or Fiat vehicles equipped with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine such as the Avenger, Challenger, Durango, Grand Caravan, Journey, Grand Cherokee, 200, 300, Town & Country, Routan, Freemont, Wrangler, Voyager, Thema, 1500 and ProMaster may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 3/8" drive ratchet and a short extension bar.

A few compatible replacement belts for Durango models equipped with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine with their part numbers include the following: Dayco 5060665 (electric p.s.) orDayco Drive Rite 5060763DR (hydraulic p.s.), Continental Elite 4060663, Gates K060663 (electric p.s.) or Gates K060763 (hydraulic p.s.), Roadmax 6K663AP (electronic p.s.), and Bando 6PK1685 (with electric power steering), Bando 6PK1940 (with hydraulic p.s. pump).

Please verify the correct replacement part numbers for your Durango by consulting with a Dodge dealership's parts counter, calling an auto parts store or by using the Amazon Part Finder website. The correct replacement belt may vary depending on the model year, trim level and/or whether the engine has an electric or hydraulic power steering pump.

Alternator, Tensioner Belt Tensioner Power Steering Pump The serpentine accessory belt and pulleys are easily accessed from the front of the engine with plenty of working room.

For even easier access, you may choose to remove the engine cover and air intake assembly.

Take a few minutes to study how the old OEM serpentine belt is routed around the various pulleys such as the alternator, idler pulley, water pump, power steering pump, A/C (air conditioning) compressor, crankshaft pulley and belt tensioner.

If you are worried about not remembering how to route the new belt, I'd recommend sketching out a quick belt routing diagram for yourself, snap a few pictures, or just refer to the images on this page.

Water Pump Pulley Crankshaft Pulley (Ribbed) 3/8" Drive Ratcheting Wrench A good tip or "rule of thumb" to remember is that the smooth side of the new belt goes against smooth pulleys and the ribbed side of the new belt goes against the ribbed pulleys.

Attach a short 2" or 3 inch extension bar to a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench.

Around Alternator Ribbed - Power Steering The front of your engine may look slightly different if you have an older 2011, 2012 or 2013 Durango with a hydraulic power steering pump instead of an electronic pump such as in the 2015 and 2016 model years. Smooth Water Pump Pulley Idler Pulley - Near Top Rotate Counterclockwise Insert the end of the extension bar in to the square opening on the front side of the tensioner pulley assembly. Release Tension - Old Belt Pull Off Old Belt Old OEM Belt Released Rotate the 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench counterclockwise (towards the left passenger side of the vehicle) to release the tension on the old OEM belt.

Hold the tensioner assembly to the left while you carefully slip the old belt off the pulleys.

Remove From Pulleys Lift Out Old Belt Inspect Old OEM Belt Inspect the old belt. If the old belt is in relatively good condition with out any major chunks missing or frayed edges, you may be able to save it as a backup belt.

Inspect all of the pulleys for any wobbling, wiggling, unusual wear or damage.

If the belt tensioner pulley was very easy to rotate to the left and the old belt was excessively loose, you probably need to change the tensioner pulley assembly.

If you plan on replacing the belt tensioner assembly, you should also replace the tensioner pulley. A replacement tensioner pulley is Dayco # 89070. (Please verify that this part is compatible with your Durango.)

Two replacement tensioner assemblies with their part numbers include the following: Dayco # 89632 and ACDelco 39282 (the ACDelco tensioner includes a new pulley). (Please verify that these tensioners are compatible with your Durango.)

Line Up New Belt Over Power Steering Pulley Under Crankshaft Pulley Route the new belt over the various pulleys. I started at the top right (driver side) with the power steering pump.

Remember that the flat side of the new belt should be against the smooth pulleys and the ribbed side of the new belt should be routed around the ribbed pulleys.

Pull the left end of the new serpentine belt taut near the alternator pulley and hold it with your left hand.

Pull Towards Alternator New Belt Installed Pentastar 3.6L V6 Engine Rotate the tensioner pulley to the left (passenger side) with the 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench until you can slip the end of the belt over the alternator pulley.

Gently allow the tensioner pulley to rotate to the right to secure the new belt in place.

Check that the new belt is routed properly and rests evenly on or around all of the pulleys.

For more, check out my other .

Dodge Durango Pentastar 3.6L V6 Serpentine Accessory Belt Replacement Guide - 2011 To 2015 Model Years (2024)

References