[Scooby]

I thought that the belt on my '02 TJ 6 cyl. Sport was the problem so I tightened it up a little but that did not seem to fix the problem. Do you think that it is the belt tensioner? Is it hard to replace? How much should I expect to spend on the part? Thanks, Scooby

 

[4Jeepn]

What was the problem you where trying to solve by fixing the belt tensioner thing.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Since your model year TJ has a spring loaded automatic belt tensioner, it shouldn't need adjusting to make it tighter. As asked by 4Jeepn, what's the issue where you felt the belt needs to be tighter? By pushing HARD on the belt between its widest unsupported span with your thumb, it should deflect about a half-inch.

 

[Scooby]

Since your model year TJ has a spring loaded automatic belt tensioner, it shouldn't need adjusting to make it tighter. As asked by 4Jeepn, what's the issue where you felt the belt needs to be tighter? By pushing HARD on the belt between its widest unsupported span with your thumb, it should deflect about a half-inch.

You are probably right, I did not tighten it, I guess that is what I thought I was doing! What causes the squeal? It seems to come and go at idle, but I cannot hear it under power. Thanks again, Scooby

 

[4.0l sahara]

Bad bearing in a idler pully

 

[Scooby]

Bad bearing in a idler pully

Is this a dealer only part, or is this something that I can buy at Auto Zone? Is it hard to replace? Thanks again, Scooby

 

[MOz]

Troubleshoot the noise by using spray silicone or belt dressing. With the enginer off, use the spray attachment and apply a small amount of fluid behind the pulley onto the shaft bearing area. Begin with the alternator, spray it, start the engine, check for the noise then move onto the next component (e.g. power steering, a/c, etc).

Basically, the component that briefly stops making noise is the component that is suspect, Turn off the engine, remove the belt and verify the tolerance on the pulley of the suspected component. Use both hands and pull/push vertically on the pulley assembly. If you get more than 1/8" slack then I would say you most likely have a bearing failure and you should replace that component.


Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[coltstreed]

Bad bearing in a idler pully

I think my uncle is also experiencing this bad bearing in the accessory belt idle pulley because he mentioned some similar problems on his vehicle with scooby.

Troubleshoot the noise by using spray silicon
e or belt dressing. With the enginer off, use the spray attachment and apply a small amount of fluid behind the pulley onto the shaft bearing area. Begin with the alternator, spray it, start the engine, check for the noise then move onto the next component (e.g. power steering, a/c, etc).

Basically, the component that briefly stops making noise is the component that is suspect, Turn off the engine, remove the belt and verify the tolerance on the pulley of the suspected component. Use both hands and pull/push vertically on the pulley assembly. If you get more than 1/8" slack then I would say you most likely have a bearing failure and you should replace that component.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Lucky there was a good response here on how to fix this problem. Anyway, I'm gonna let my uncle try out these instructions you mentioned and hopefully it would already be fix and won't need a replacement. Thanks for sharing this info. :thumb:

 

[Amocat00]

I had this squeal/whistle for about a week. I should have addressed it faster. I was driving yesterday and noticed my power steering went out. Luckily I was only a mile from home. Lifted the hood and saw the idler pulley had broken off. The bolt was sheered almost completely off. Went and got a new bolt and pulley today. It took me a minute to put on the new pulley. It took over an hour to get the belt back on. I had a lot of trouble pushing down the auto tensioner. But got it on and all is good now.