Bullstang360

I just replaced all that stuff a few months back when I was hunting down a bad electrical issue. Turned out to be the ECM. But anyway I don't think that's the cause because how would tightening the belt make that chirp louder if it was the distributor?

Bullstang360

So update I couldn't find a Goodyear belt in town so I opted for the Gates again and I had a hunch it might be he Idler pulley because that was the issue with the chirp I had last time. I got another belt and pulley got home and a half hour later chirp is gone. when I pulled out the idler and spun it on my finger I could feel a bearing drag every few rotations. I compared it to the new one and yep that was the issue. The only thing that concerns me is that pulley was only 2 years old . But at least the rig is quiet now.

Firestorm500

My Gates belts were quiet when new, too.

But a little later they started chirping again.

Bullstang360

Im going to order a Gator back for if the chirp starts again. Whats the best site to order those from?

Firestorm500

I think I got mine from NAPA? For sure O'reilly's doesn't carry them. That's where all my Gates belts came from.

I don't buy from Autozone, Advance, or Pep Boys so it didn't come from there.

Edit: I did a little research and some people were saying they got theirs from Rockauto and Amazon.com. Not for a Jeep, but check those sources for your Jeep belt.

highmileage

If the chirp comes back and you suspect belt, WD-40, bar soap(I prefer ivory) or last resort any color flat spray paint can rid you of this problem. Somehow these things make the belt/pullys grippy.

Pelican

You are going to put that stuff on your belt?

scottmphoto

I chased a belt chirp for months. Checked the pulleys several times and they all seemed good. I found a thread about the harmonic balancer separating and how it can cause it. I have a parts XJ and thought that I'd try replacing it since it was free. Turns out that my HB was just barely starting to separate. It was very had to tell. It has been 4-5 months now since I replaced it and no chirp/squeal/shred.

highmileage

The soap is a trick I picked up on here, WD-40 works better than belt dressing, and the paint is a trick I picked up years ago from the oil patch for getting belts to A-stop squealing or B- to hook up when rolling units over to hang on the well. All three work and cause about as much damage(if any) as motor oil getting on the belt.

Bullstang360

I used to do the WD trick on an old Ford I had and seemed to work for a little while. But it always came back. I checked NAPA they didn't carry the gatorback just Gates lol. I was thining the HB might have been it but I looked and I couldnt see anything wrong with it but I have never really looked closely a one so I didn't really know what to look for.

JackJare9455

just remember to purchase a krikit II belt tension gauge...

I installed a gator-back on my 96 and it squealed and howled when i turned on my AC compressor and gave it extra drag.. I thought I had the belt tight.. but I wasn't even at 100lbs

Tightened her up to 180 and the noise stopped... another 100 miles and I am going to back her down to 160lbs...

the calibrated thumb can lie!

Bullstang360

Why would you back it off wouldn't the belt have stretched already?

JackJare9455

haynes said 180 for a new belt, and 160 for an old belt... IIRC

I just want to check to see if the belt stretched and I lost some tension... To be honest if I can get away with having the tension at 160 I would prefer it... It bugs me for some reason to have a belt that damn tight... LOL

Pelican

For most practical purposes, belt does not stretch after first few minutes of operation.

Products sold as belt dressings are for v-belts, not serpentine belts. Never use them on serpentine belts.

I grew up in the oil patch and the serpentine belts on our 4.0s are not the same as the ones in the patch way back when.

I am a firm believer in to each his own, but those reading this should understand that adding dressings like the above are temporary measures that you will just be back working on shortly. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've always been able to get rid of belt noise by checking condition of belt, condition of belt driven components and then tightening just until the noise goes away -- no more.

Modern belts and engines are made for the noted tensions. Nothing requires anyone to use those tension figures but doing so will not damage anything.