2016 Ram ProMaster Serpentine Belt: Routing, Replacement, & Part Numbers

Quick Answer

For your 2016 Ram ProMaster (3.6L V6 engine):

• Belt Length: 2155 mm (84.8 inches)
• Rib Count: 6-rib
• OEM Belt PN: 68078970AA (Mopar)
• Aftermarket Cross-references:
  • Gates K060848
  • Dayco 5060848
  • Continental Elite 4060848
• Auto-Tensioner PN: 68078972AB (Mopar) / Gates 38338 / Dayco 89348
• Idler Pulley PN: 04891730AA (Mopar) / Gates 36207 / Dayco 89053

Belt Routing

Always take a clear, well-lit photo of your existing serpentine belt routing before removal. This will serve as an indispensable reference during reinstallation.

For the 2016 Ram ProMaster with the 3.6L V6 engine, the serpentine belt drives multiple accessories. Starting from the crankshaft pulley (typically the largest, lowest pulley):

1. From the crankshaft pulley, the belt travels up to the A/C compressor pulley.
2. From the A/C compressor, it then goes down to loop around a smooth idler pulley (often used to guide the belt).
3. After the idler, the belt stretches up to the alternator pulley.
4. From the alternator, it moves across to the power steering pump pulley.
5. Next, it continues across/down to the water pump pulley.
6. Finally, the belt routes down and around the automatic tensioner pulley, which provides the necessary tension before circling back to the crankshaft pulley to complete the loop.

How to Replace the Serpentine Belt

Replacing the serpentine belt on your ProMaster is a manageable DIY task for most shade tree mechanics. You'll primarily need a serpentine belt tool or a 3/8-inch drive breaker bar.

1. Safety First: Ensure the engine is off and cool. Disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent accidental starting.
2. Locate the Tensioner: Identify the automatic belt tensioner. It will have a square hole designed for a 3/8-inch drive wrench or a specialized serpentine belt tool.
3. Relieve Tension: Insert your serpentine belt tool or breaker bar into the square hole on the tensioner. Rotate the tensioner counter-clockwise (or as indicated by an arrow on the tensioner itself) to release the belt tension. This will allow the belt to become loose.
4. Remove Old Belt: While holding the tensioner in the released position, carefully slip the old belt off one of the pulleys (usually the tensioner or idler pulley is easiest). Once it's off one pulley, you can fully release the tensioner and remove the belt from all other pulleys.
5. Inspect Pulleys: With the belt off, take this opportunity to manually spin each accessory pulley (alternator, power steering, A/C compressor, idler, water pump). They should spin freely with no excessive wobble or grinding noises. Check for any signs of grease leakage from bearings.
6. Route New Belt: Refer to the photo you took earlier and the routing description above. Begin by wrapping the new belt around all the smooth pulleys first (crank, A/C, idler, water pump, power steering, alternator). The ribbed side of the belt should always engage ribbed pulleys, and the smooth side on smooth pulleys.
7. Final Tensioning: Once the belt is routed around all pulleys except the tensioner, again use your tool to rotate the tensioner to its released position. Carefully slip the new belt onto the tensioner pulley. Slowly release the tensioner, ensuring the belt seats correctly in all grooves of all pulleys. Double-check that all ribs align perfectly.
8. Verify & Test: Once the belt is installed, inspect its path one last time to ensure it's correctly seated on all pulleys. Reconnect the battery. Start the engine and listen for any abnormal noises (squealing, chirping). Let it run for a few minutes and re-inspect the belt for proper operation.

Replacement Interval

Ram ProMaster serpentine belts are generally designed for longevity. As a general guideline, it's recommended to inspect the belt every 30,000 miles or 2 years, and consider replacement between 60,000 to 100,000 miles, or if signs of wear are present. The automatic tensioner and idler pulley should be inspected at the same time and replaced if they show any signs of wear or failure, as a failing tensioner can cause premature belt wear or even complete belt failure.

Signs of a Failing Belt or Tensioner

Ignoring a failing serpentine belt or tensioner can lead to significant issues, as vital engine accessories can stop functioning. Be aware of these signs:

• Squealing or Chirping Noises: This is the most common symptom. New belts might squeal briefly until they seat, but persistent squealing, especially during cold starts, acceleration, or when turning the steering wheel (power steering load), indicates a problem. It could be a worn belt, misaligned pulley, or a failing tensioner/pulley bearing.
• Cracks, Fraying, or Glazing on the Belt: Visually inspect the belt. Deep cracks, missing chunks, frayed edges, or a shiny, glazed appearance on the ribbed side mean the belt is losing its grip and needs replacement.
• Loss of Power Steering, A/C, or Charging System Issues: If the belt breaks or slips severely, these accessories will stop working. You might notice the "Battery" light illuminate on your dash if the alternator isn't spinning.
• Wobbling or Misaligned Pulleys: With the engine off, visually inspect all pulleys. Any pulley that appears to wobble when spinning it by hand, or is visibly misaligned, indicates a problem with that pulley or its bearing.
• Loose or Weak Tensioner: The automatic tensioner should maintain consistent tension. If the tensioner arm is not applying adequate pressure, or if it's wobbly, it needs replacement.

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