How do you tighten the power steering belt on 2000 Dodge Stratus V6, is there a tensioner?

the belt is under tension by the the belt tensioner, the only things tat cause a loose belt are wrong size belt, worn belt or bad belt tensioner.

The belt tensioner is not adjustable. To loosen a tensioner you would swivel the belt tensioner away from the belt with a long flex wrench or ratchet and to tighten the belt you would let the spring in the tensioner move the swivel back into the tight position. An internal spring tightens the tensioner pulley against the belt. You will need to get a smaller belt or replace the tensioner if the belt is "too loose" after you swivel it back into the tight position against the belt and release pressure.

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Fig. Accessory drive belt routing-2.7L engine
Chrysler Cirrus & Sebring Convertible; Dodge Stratus; Plymouth Breeze

Fig. Accessory drive belt routing-Chrysler 2.7L engine

2.7L Engine
A/C & Alternator Belt

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the right front wheel and belt splash shield.
3. Loosen tensioner locking bolt and pivot bolt.
4. Rotate tensioner clockwise to allow enough slack to remove belt

To install:

1. Install the air conditioning compressor/alternator belt on pulleys, tensioner in slack position, slip belt over idler last.
2. Adjust drive belt tension.
3. Install the belt splash shield and right front wheel.
4. Lower vehicle.
   
   
   

   Fig. Installing A/C & alternator belt-2.7L engine
   

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
3. Remove the right front wheel and belt splash shield.
4. Loosen the tensioner locking bolt and pivot bolt.
5. Rotate tensioner clockwise to allow enough slack to remove the belt

To install:

1. With the tensioner in a slack position, install the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor/alternator belt on the pulleys. Slip the belt over the idler last.
2. Adjust the drive belt tension.
3. Install the belt splash shield and right front wheel. Tighten the wheel lug nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
4. Lower the vehicle.
   

Power Steering Belt

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the right front wheel and belt splash shield.
3. Remove the air conditioning compressor/alternator belt.
4. Loosen belt adjusting bolt. It is not necessary to loosen the pivot bolt on the power steering pump. There is a bushing incorporated into the power steering pump/bracket that allows it to pivot.
5. Remove the power steering belt.

To install:

1. Install the power steering belt on pulleys.
2. Adjust drive belt tension.
3. Install the air conditioning compressor/alternator belt.
4. Install the belt splash shield and right front wheel.
5. Lower vehicle.

1. Engage a torque wrench, with a maximum 2 inch extension in the 1/2 inch square opening of the tensioner bracket (Fig. 9).
2. Apply 141 Nm (104 ft. lbs.) of torque, counterclockwise to the tensioner bracket while tightening the upper fastener. Torque fastener to 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.) (Fig. 9).
3. Remove torque wrench from tensioner bracket, and torque lower tensioner bracket fastener to 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.).
4. Verify proper belt tension.

Hope this helps with your question...

You should have a repair manual. Basically you should
raise the car and support it on jack stands, remove the
drive belts splash shield, loosen the power steering pump
pivot and locking bolts, you should be able to move the
pump to loosen belt for removal and replacement. There
should be a square hole on the pump that accepts a 1/2
inch drive breaker bar to pull back on the pump to tension
the belt before you lock the pump down.

You have to use a special tool. Auto Zone will loan this tool to you for free. You need a harmonic Balancer puller for Dodge vehicles. I highly recommend you get a Haynes or Chilton's repair manual on your vehicle before finishing this job. It will give you better instructions on how to get the #1 to top dead center and how to line up the marks on the timing gears when you put the new one in.

Theres two ways of doing it. First there is a belt tension er tool you can buy. Second if you look at the tensioner there should be a square so you can place a 3/4 ratchet and pull to loosen the tension (long handle preferred).

it might be something else is adjustable, look for other adjustable items, idler pulley, etc. 

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the correct Serpentine/Drive Belt Diagrams for your 1998 Dodge Stratus with you 2.5L V6 Engine and the Engine Options (AC/No AC etc.).

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1998/make/dodge/model/stratus/1998_dodge_stratus_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

This procedure involves correcting the tension on the power steering accessory and A/C compressor drive belt.

1. Loosen the power steering pump locking bolts A and B and pivot bolt C(Illustration 1 and 2 ) to allow adjustment of belt tension.
2. Using a 1/2" breaker bar, adjust belt tension by applying torque to the square hole "D" on the power steering pivot bracket. Adjust the tension as follows:

Belt tension with no belt replacement: A. Using the Belt Tension Gauge Special Tool Kit C-4162, adjust the belt tension to 100 lb.
B. Tighten in order, first tighten the locking bolt A to 27 Nm (20 ft. Ibs) then, bolt B to27Nm (20 ft. Ibs). Finally tighten the pivot bolt C to 54 Nm (40 ft. Ibs).
Belt tension with belt replacement:
A. Using the Belt Tension Gauge Special Tool Kit C-4162, adjust the belt tension to 135 lb.
B. Tighten in order, first tighten the locking bolt A to 27 Nm (20 ft. Ibs) then, bolt B to 27Nm (20 ft. Ibs). Finally tighten the pivot bolt C to 54 Nm (40 ft. Ibs).
C. Start the engine and allow the vehicle to idle for 15 minutes to allow the belt to seat.
D. Repeat the belt tensioning procedure, set belt tension to 135 lb.

click here for picture 1
click here for picture 2