Serpentine belt squeal

Austin O.

Austin O.

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2022
Messages
644
Location
Charlotte, NC
I have a 4.0 with A/C

Serpentine belt has been squealing for a while, particularly when it is cold out. Just replaced the water pump a week or so ago, and got a new belt along with doing that. I thought the squeal had stopped after that, but a day or so later, I heard it again. (It was significantly colder those next few days).

It’s still been doing it for a week now. I guess I’ve eliminated the water pump and belt itself from the problem? What do I check next? How do I do it? Thanks
 
You probably need to make your belt tension tighter if the belt is ok

Your early TJ's belt tension adjustment is made with a long vertical screw that moves the idler pulley up/down in its slot on the power steering bracket. The big black anodized bolt the idler pulley spins around has to be loosened slightly so it can move up or down in its adjustment slot. The belt should be tight enough that your thumb can only deflect the belt 1/2" or so when pushing hard against the belt's longest unsupported span. Be sure to retighten the bolt the idler pulley spins around.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
You probably need to make your belt tension tighter if the belt is ok

Your early TJ's belt tension adjustment is made with a long vertical screw that moves the idler pulley up/down in its slot on the power steering bracket. The big black anodized bolt the idler pulley spins around has to be loosened slightly so it can move up or down in its adjustment slot. The belt should be tight enough that your thumb can only deflect the belt 1/2" or so when pushing hard against the belt's longest unsupported span. Be sure to retighten the bolt the idler pulley spins around.
Click to expand...

I’ll check it again tomorrow. Thank you
 
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