Sep 10, 2015, 02:49 PM
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- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1993 to 1998 Why is Serpentine Belt Squeaking or Squealing
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Belt Squeal
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well thats good for you your one of the few that don't have that problem at the moment.
Tell ya what I'll give you $10 for every Cherokee that does not have any squeak/squeal from the A/C, and you give me $1 for every one you find with the noise.
We'll see who ends up with more $.
Tell ya what I'll give you $10 for every Cherokee that does not have any squeak/squeal from the A/C, and you give me $1 for every one you find with the noise.
We'll see who ends up with more $.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
Well thats good for you your one of the few that don't have that problem at the moment.
Tell ya what I'll give you $10 for every Cherokee that does not have any squeak/squeal from the A/C, and you give me $1 for every one you find with the noise.
We'll see who ends up with more $.
Tell ya what I'll give you $10 for every Cherokee that does not have any squeak/squeal from the A/C, and you give me $1 for every one you find with the noise.
We'll see who ends up with more $.
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 104
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada
Year: 1988 & 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
X2 I have 2 xj's and no belt squeal and my best friend has 2 xj's too... No squealing. If yours is squealing you either need to tighten the belt or check bearings
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Funny just about every Cherokee i've had or test drove had the squeal. Belt is tight already checked and tightened that. Since it only happens when the ac is on it must be the compressor but I tell you what I get ICE COLD ac so I don;t want to mess with it. The squeal is the worst when it first starts up then slowly dissipates over time.
Also my last cherokee the ac didn't work at all and most of the one's i test drove when looking for another didnt even have working ac at all.
Also my last cherokee the ac didn't work at all and most of the one's i test drove when looking for another didnt even have working ac at all.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
Funny just about every Cherokee i've had or test drove had the squeal. Belt is tight already checked and tightened that. Since it only happens when the ac is on it must be the compressor but I tell you what I get ICE COLD ac so I don;t want to mess with it. The squeal is the worst when it first starts up then slowly dissipates over time.
Also my last cherokee the ac didn't work at all and most of the one's i test drove when looking for another didnt even have working ac at all.
Also my last cherokee the ac didn't work at all and most of the one's i test drove when looking for another didnt even have working ac at all.
I'm just bustin your chops man so you know man. These Cherokee's do need a massive amount of tension to keep them quiet I do agree with that. Dayco is a popular brand of belt and for some reason on the Cherokee's they squeel. Change it out with another brand belt and it's gone. The belt must be made differently or it's a cheaper material all together. Not sure, just going on experience.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 20
From: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Massive amount of tension is not really necessary, the correct amount is. What I do is first install the belt, start the engine & all accessories, stab the gas, if the belt squeals shut off engine and crank up the tension a little more (no more than 1 full revolution of the adjuster). Repeat as needed. As soon as you can stab the gas with no squeal your done. Some make the mistake of going overboard to avoid the squeal, and instead wipe out the water pump and all the pulleys & bearings.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
Massive amount as compared to other vehicles. I don't recall another vehicle needing that much tension on the belt as the 4.0 Liter. I agree with going too tight will put more stress on the other moving parts. If you can't get the noise out with a proper adjustment, the the quality of belt is no good or you have a another part that has play in it.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Oh BTW my 99 Jeep Cherokee Sport has over 200,000 miles on it and purrs every day live an old house cat. Ive had it for 12 yrs, no major repairs. Oil, fluids, filters, belts.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Farmington WV
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
guess a new thread is over kill so ill add my problem here:
since the alt swap and removing/reinstalling the belt I get a squeal for about 30 seconds after start up. then it quits. the sound is coming from driver side. i have been adjusting the belt tension many many times but can not get it right. is the belt too tight? maybe stretching after 30 seconds and that's why it stops?
if it was the idler pulley it would squeal constantly...thus why i think i still dont have the tension right.
since the alt swap and removing/reinstalling the belt I get a squeal for about 30 seconds after start up. then it quits. the sound is coming from driver side. i have been adjusting the belt tension many many times but can not get it right. is the belt too tight? maybe stretching after 30 seconds and that's why it stops?
if it was the idler pulley it would squeal constantly...thus why i think i still dont have the tension right.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: JERSEY ALL DAY
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Xj jeeps need a tight belt crank on it more I'll notice it gets better when u compare yours to an xj that doesn't squeal I'll notice the non squealer is pretty damn tight. Good luck
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Can you really damage components if the belt is too tight? I would be more worried about the belt snapping than components damaged.
How do you really know if your belt is too (dangerously) tight?
How do you really know if your belt is too (dangerously) tight?
Seasoned Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti, MI
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok I had that same problem for years and didnt even know what it was. I know everytime i turned on my AC the belt would squeal horribly. So I decided to take it to a friend he told me instantly that the belt was stretched and worn and should be replaced every three yrs. I went and bought a new belt $26.00 and he put it on it 5 mins. I asked him what was causing the noise he said the belt just had stretched and wasnt tight enough. He install the new belt make sure to crank the vehicle up and let it run about 5 mins if the squeal is still there then the belt need to be tighten more. You have to keep doing this until you know its completely tight. Mines work wonderful now and all it was the belt had stretched and wasnt tight enough to prevent the squeal.