Servicing pulleys and serpentine belt

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mindbomb

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Belt operation is a little noisy especially when cold. Not squeaky but just mechanically louder than before/more vibration. I checked and there's no looseness anywhere.

Is there any recommended service routine to the serpentine belt / pulleys system?

(Spray some kind of oil in pulleys axles? Lube belt? Donno)

Video:
https://goo.gl/photos/5ahieti1m7JnEDAY6





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tommudd

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Belt operation is a little noisy especially when cold. Not squeaky but just mechanically louder than before/more vibration. I checked and there's no looseness anywhere.

Is there any recommended service routine to the serpentine belt / pulleys system?

(Spray some kind of oil in pulleys axles? Lube belt? Donno)

Video:
https://goo.gl/photos/5ahieti1m7JnEDAY6


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

More than likely the tensioner needs replaced, they do get weak over time, plus one or both of the pulleys could be going out.
But you can buy the whole setup with a new belt and be good
Do you know how many miles on the belt ? And or tensioner ?
No spraying oil will not work

Hard to say if that is the real issue though
 

Tog

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When I did my water pump I put a new belt on it squealed like a banshee I took it off and compared it to the old one it was approx 1/2 inch longer. Exchanged it for a shorter belt all good.

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LibertyTC

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Best to remove belt and spin/check all the accessory pulleys by hand, looking for anything loose. rattle etc.
Belt stretches & wears and spring inside tensioner weakens.
Tensioner pulleys only last so long as well, replace every 50 k miles is good.
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Gates makes a great EPDM quality belt as well!
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I could not see your video, but here is a video I made after new Gates belt & Tensioner.
Click on image to see video:
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Hope this helps..
 

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ltd02

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When I did my water pump I put a new belt on it squealed like a banshee I took it off and compared it to the old one it was approx 1/2 inch longer. Exchanged it for a shorter belt all good.

Good point. There are two tensioner pulley setups. The dual 76mm setup that LibertyTC showed and a 76mm/90mm setup on older KJs. My 02 has the two different sizes and requires the slightly larger belt. I think the 90mm pully is actually metal. My 05 has the dual 76mm (both plastic). Either tensioner will fit but the appropriate belt needs to be used for the correct tension.
 

Cardhu

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Tensioner and belt are excellent ideas.

Just be sure its not your water pump. If so hoses and thermostat at the same time.

Mine started making noise well in advance and had some movement in the pulley.
 

jamesbeat

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Good point. There are two tensioner pulley setups. The dual 76mm setup that LibertyTC showed and a 76mm/90mm setup on older KJs. My 02 has the two different sizes and requires the slightly larger belt. I think the 90mm pully is actually metal. My 05 has the dual 76mm (both plastic). Either tensioner will fit but the appropriate belt needs to be used for the correct tension.

Do you know what length belt is needed for each type?

I'm having problems with my tensioner, and I'm wondering if the belt I recently put on has something to do with it.
 

Damotee

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I agree with the previous posts. I had a terrible rattle in my front end. Replaced the serpentine belt and belt tensioner and its all fixed now.
 

mindbomb

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Got confused.. Which part do I need for the Sport (early) 03' KJ?
the 76mm or 90mm pulleys? Will I also need to replace the belt?

Can you guys post a link to the right part?

Thanks
 

HoosierJeeper

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You can use either pulley, just get the right length belt. Definitely replace the belt.
 

mindbomb

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Btw, how do I know if its just the left tensioner pulley wheel or the whole assembly?
 

tommudd

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Btw, how do I know if its just the left tensioner pulley wheel or the whole assembly?

I would never just replace the pulleys, always replace the whole thing. Tensioner gets weaker over time just like the springs do.
 

mindbomb

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Okdokie. Gates belt and assembly ordered. As usual Thanks good KJ peeps.


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HoosierJeeper

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Can you put a stethoscope on it and pin point it? Or like a long socket extension? Sounds like the tick I had when the alternator bearings went bad.
 

mindbomb

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Can you put a stethoscope on it and pin point it? Or like a long socket extension? Sounds like the tick I had when the alternator bearings went bad.

Not sure I understand what you ask me to do.. what do you mean put stethoscope on it? while running? how?
I am positive its coming from the AC pulley/clutch - that area
 

LibertyTC

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A lot of times with an auto or mechanical stethoscope, sounds are isolated well, so you don't have to touch the spinning object.
Just getting close sometimes you can tell which one is the suspect.
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Around here they can be found for around $15.
 

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