Gr4p350d4

Hey All,

So I have been killing myself trying to solve a bunch of random noises and clunks over the past couple of months. I know I will never track them all down but hey.. ya never know! Anyway the one thing that drives me absolutely insane is that my 2001 xj squeals upon startup. BUT!! Only after it has rained. Also, it goes away as soon as it dries up (maybe 5 min of driving). I have replaced the belt and tensioner pulley as well as adjusted the pressure multiple times. However, its still there. I am planning on replacing the water pump, radiator, and ac condenser so was thinking about swapping out the crankshaft pulley while I am in there. Any thoughts on this? I feel like an ******* driving out of my neighborhood every morning after a rain sounding like my jeep is all ****ed. I appreciate any help in advance!

EEVEE

How is the tension on the belt?

bluejeep2001

What year the belt systems are different after 96 believe it or not it's not tight enough the crank pulley will not fix it

Gr4p350d4

Tension is fine. I have no issues until it rains!

Gr4p350d4

It is a 2001

bluejeep2001

So is mine crank the tension bolt 3 or 4 flats or about 3/4 of a turn

Gr4p350d4

ill give it a shot!

bluejeep2001

Make sure the a/c compressor is not engaged all the time makes the belt squeal until up to speed

Gr4p350d4

Well it only does it after it rains so I doubt that would be the issue. Also, I never use my a/c so wouldn't that only engage if it was in use?

EEVEE

you suuurrreee bout the tension? it is deceptive sometimes on how hard you have to tighten them at times. Unless the belt you have is old despite being new. Or maybe you got some sort of lubricant on the belt. But i think it would rub away after a while anyways. Mine squealed all the time thinking it was tight enough and then i looked at a video and mine was apparently so loose despite feeling tight.

Also a few other replies:
Check the belt tension, it need to be tight. There should be almost no movement compaired to standard vehicle belts. The belts also like to squeel in damp wet weather.

The serpentine belt on the 4.0 needs to be awfully darn tight to stay quiet. Tighter than any other engine I've owned in 37 years.

I had the same problem with my 2001 when i bought it. Tighten the belt idler pulley and you will be set...or you can do what i did which was buy a new belt and replace it. its a $20ish belt fix and u won't have to think about it for long time again, have it tight where you have about a 1/4" depression when u put a thumb pressure down on it.

If you just replaced the belt and it's squealing the most common problem is that it just isn't tensioned enough. The belt is slipping in the morning and stops once it has warmed up enough. Cheaper belts are much more prone to doing this. After that check to make sure that there isn't any crap filling up the grooves in the pulley's. An old belt can pack a bunch of rubber dust and dirt into the grooves. I like to use a hook pick to clean them out. You might also take off the belt and turn all the pulleys by hand to make sure something isn't going bad. Usually you would have noticed other problems by now if that was the case. You could also try washing your belt just in case something (antifreeze, oil, PS fluid, etc.) got on it.

Can't believe no one mentioned this.
New belts will stretch, and some times need to be readjusted.

My money is on belt tension. Best to start with the basic free repairs first imo before replacing parts.


7:55 on is where he tightens it. Also some people said the old belt packs gunk in the pulley grooves so give those a lookie too.

Gr4p350d4

like I said initially.. It only does this after it rains. If it is sunny for a month straight then no squeak. But as soon as it rains, it will squeak for the first 5 or so minutes of driving.

cpttuna

try a continental belt

extrashaky

X2 on the Continental Elite (formerly Goodyear Gatorback). It's made with little nubs instead of grooves. They grip better than just about anything out there.

Did you confirm that with a Krikit II tension gauge? The spec is 140 to 160 ft lbs with a used belt (180 to 200 with a new belt, to take stretching into account). I know you've said this multiple times, but there have been enough people post and swear that it's tight, yet we find out that they came to that conclusion by just twisting the belt and assuming it's good, that we're naturally skeptical until we know you used a gauge.

Gr4p350d4

Wouldnt I have more issues with it other than only when its wet if it wasnt tensioned properly? Maybe I am overthinking this entire thing.. But its driving me nuts..

extrashaky

Not necessarily. It may be undertightened but just tight enough not to squeal until you get water on it. Only way to know for sure is to put a gauge on it.