1999 Chrysler Town And Country engine problems

While driving vehicle to an appt my daughter started complaining of her feet becoming very hot. She was sitting in the passenger front seat, there was a burning odor. I pulled over and looked underneath the vehicle, the exhaust was cherry red and there were flames near catalytic converter area. I had to have the van towed home.

Sudden failure of engine serpentine belt tensioner. Soon after starting vehicle, and while backing out of garage there was a loud bang under the hood. Instantly power steering was lost along with engine cooling and alternator output. Tensioner assembly mounting bolt had sheared off from apparent metal fatique, throwing off the serpentine belt. The resultant violent departure of the tensioner assembly also shattered the power steering pump pulley. This could have been catastrophic on the highway.