I recently replaced the serpentine belt on my 1995 windstar. Once the belt was on, it stayed on and I drove it 20 miles or more. I came home, parked it overnight and then when I started it the next morning the belt flew off. It has done this repeatedly now for 4 mornings. Any thoughts would be appreciated since I am completely baffled at this point.

 

I would check about if you got the right belt, the pully thing is tricky my 95 van the pully would squeek I think it has to be on there the right way. I would bring it to my machanic he would know how to fix it the right way when I got it the thing was squeeling and it drove me crazy. It shouldn't be falling off. Maybe there's a trick to getting it on right . My cousin's machanic didn't have it on there correctly that is what my machanic said. Everytime someone esle worked on the car the belt wouldn't be on right and it would squeek.... There are times when the windstar needed to be worked on and my machanics place wasn't open or we were on vacation . The 95 ford windstar did well in a real life crash and I and my son are here to prove it. So ,I was looking for another one but not sure if I am read about ford Windstar minivan axles investigated 1999 -2003. I was planning on buying a used one but we do live in a salt belt state and wouldn't want to get into another accident.

 

I recently worked on my 1996 minivan. I replaced the water pump. When you loosen the alternator, it is easy to remove the belt. To install it requires applying leverage to the belt tensioner and it is very difficult to access unless the cowl is removed. You may also have to remove the fresh air duct. In my case the cowl was already removed for other purposes so it was not a problem. It is very time consuming to remove and reinstall the cowl. You have to remove trim, wipers, etc. Even though I now know how to do it, it still takes time so a mechanic may not have time to do it. Someone may have reinstalled your belt by stretching it because they can't loosen the tensioner very much. If you ever install the belt yourself they make a special long handled tool which is only $20-$30. Without it you may need 2 people.