I have a distinct rattling sound that seems to be coming from either the water pump or the tensioner pulley. Vehicle is a 96 Cherokee Country, No coolant leak at the water pump has been noticed. Does anyone know of a good method to ioslate the source of such a problem? Perhaps removing the belt tension and manually checking out the pulley movement? Also, is a rattle an indication that a component failure is immenient?

 

a rattle could mean almost anything, and it virtually impossible to diagnose a rattle over the net. climb under the jeep, or under the hood and start poking around and see what you can find. Try and recreate the noise if you can and then fix it.

 

Mechanic's stethoscope. Invest, and it will never let you down.

 

The rattle comes stock from the factory, you just have to learn to enjoy it.

 

X2 on the stethoscope.

Or you can use a 3' length of garden hose. I have even used a 3/8" steel round bar to my thumb that was touching (the little flap just ahead of) my ear.

Please be really careful around moving parts!

A spinning fan belt can mess you up bad.

 

i have a stethoscope, but have also used a piece of wooden broom handle and held that up to the bearing case with my thumb covering the other end, up to my ear.