Ok, not being a smarta$$ here but here's the thing. If something is making noise that it's not supposed to, then something is wrong. Period. It wasn't designed to make that noise so SOMETHING needs to be addressed. Sure you could live with the noise but things don't fix themselves so in time you will eventually find out what the problem was. Hopefully it doesn't leave you on the side of the road when you figure it out.

As far as the wind through the trees, that almost sounds like your friends fan clutch is tight and you're hearing more air going throught the radiator.

Your fix of unplugging it in the winter time is fine but still doesn't help your issue. What happens when the windows fog up? You need the compressor to help defrost the windows.

It is very possible that the clutch on the fan is binding slightly on start up if it is old. Happens all the time. You have to make sure all your other pulleys aren't causing the issue either. What I would do is try another brand belt. I don't know how well Gatorback truly is. I'd go with a Gates myself.

 

This was the second new belt - the first was a Gates. You don't need a/c to defrost the windows. (what about the ones that didn't have a/c?) It helps, but is not neccessary. Regardless I'm sure there are more old Cherokee's out there with non functioning a/c there than are with. Maybe you're not getting what I'm describing, but the wind through the trees howl I mentioned is from the accessories being stressed from overtightening. Anyone who's done it will know what I'm saying. Loosen the belt, and it goes away. Anyway, to each his own, I don't consider this a serious problem. Might leave me stranded someday, who knows, but mine's been like this since I've owned it and it hasn't yet...

 

OK, you never mentioned you were on your 2nd belt. I suggested another one because you never said anything about a 1st new one.

The a/c system removes humidity from the air, this aids in defrosting your windshield. Some people unplug their a/c compressor for during the winter as it's not needed, but in humid areas, will help defrost the window a lot faster than without it.

If the "wind" sound you are trying to describe is not the fan clutch and only does it when you overtighten the belt, then I assume you are putting too much tension on the bearings somewhere. Try taking the belt off again and lightly sanding the waterpump pulley and the idler pulley surfaces and see if this helps your problem.

You say it's not much of a concern to you but yet you decide to argue about it. I was just trying to help you and the OP out. You may not consider it a major problem but I would. I'm not going to drive around knowing I could possibly be stranded with the problem that I have sitting in front of me. It's called maintenance. Kinda sucks when the Jeep breaks down, the tow truck shows up with a $150 bill and you sit there saying, "yeah it's been doing that for a while, I've been meaning to check that out"

 

The only reason I'm arguing is because you haven't said anything. Replace the belt, tighten the belt, get it fixed. Great, thanks. Done it, didn't help. I could spend all kinds of money fixing some minor issue on an 11 year old rig, or just turn the a/c off when it happens. I'll take the easy road. Highly doubt any tow truck will be coming for a squeaky belt, but thanks for the concern.

 

Ok, did you even read post #32 that I wrote? I said nothing? I think you should go back and read it again.

I don't expect a tow truck to come for a squeeky belt either. But since you are so sure it's NOT the belt, obviously there is another problem that may require it. Like the compressor seizing. Unless you have a spare with you or you break down about a mile from your house, you're calling a tow truck.

 

Lyon: Give up. You can't help someone who really doesn't want to be helped.

 

Yeah, you're right. I find this more and more everyday on the forums. All you try to do is help certain people and it just bites you in the a$$. Oh well, I'll just be thankful my XJ doesn't have these problems.

 

Haha yep, I saw it. And if you read my posts, I also mentioned I believe the compressor is getting tired in my Cherokee. That's really all I was trying to say here - if the a/c being on causes an issue, then don't use it. Not all of us have the money to blow making sure the air conditioning works on an old vehicle. I wasn't really looking for advice, I was just giving my opinion that disabling it might be a more economical option.

 

Well maybe you should try and quit while you're ahead then if it bothers you. I agreed with your original post, and then you kept going on about replacing a brand new belt and tightening it. Geez, WTH?

 

Being the type of person I am, I am always trying to help people even if they don't ask for it. I try to help people eliminate problems before they arrise. I've spend many years doing maintenance so it just comes naturally.
It's not a point of "blowing" money to get the AC working, it's a point to spend the money on a part instead of a tow truck.
People tend to ask questions or state what their problem is in someone elses thread and we all try to help each other out. If you don't want to hear ideas on your problems, then don't contribute. Have a nice day.

 

My 89 squealed bad. A girl in my neighborhood drives by every day with the same squeal. It took me months of replacing belts and pulleys and the alty until finally I replaced the harmony balancer. Bingo. I hate that whine. People say it is a common jeep thing. Some people choose to live with that theory. I personally have to fix it. Next time I have a chance I am going to stop this girl and fix hers too. Lol

 

Harmonic. Stupid smart phone...

 

Brownie points!

 

Good idea. Stop her and tell her you want to take her belt off and check whats underneath it. lol

 

mine squealed for a while, couldn't find the problem, till one
evening last winter it gave up the ghost, err harmonic balancer.
The outer ring had slipped forward enough that the fan blade was hitting
it and the belt was just hanging behind it. $200 for a tow home
(45 miles @ 9pm). Did I mention it was winter?
I had another vehicle that had a squeal, again thought it was the belts,
so they were changed with no change. Squirting water, it would go away,
briefly. Finally removed all pulleys and glass beaded them, several years
later - no squeal.