I posted a video a while back with an issue I was having. Someone said Idler Pulley and Belt. I replaced the belt and some of the noise went away, but there still was a noise that sounded like a bearing was shot. Today the new belt jumped off and I had to tow it home.

How do I know if the idler pulley is bad? Is it the one in the center of the block?

If it is the pulley in the center my current one spins but has a wobble that is noticeable.

Is there a brand I should get that is better than or equal to stock? I only have 95K on the jeep it seems a little soon for this to go out, but I have been towing a trailer the last two weeks.


Also, how do you know if the water pump is bad and how can you tell it is time for a fan clutch? Again what brands are recommended...

This was the noise I got...

http://www.fileupyours.com/view/3313...%20%281%29.mp4

The chirping in the video is gone now...

 

If it has a wobble, it's shot. Water pumps will sometimes squeal or scrape, or you'll get a leak, or the shaft will develop some slop. Temperature creep at low RPM is another sign the pump is shot, assuming no other problems are found.

 

The pulley in the middle of the block is your water pump, the idler I believe is sitting higher up near the A/C compressor. It's quite small, similar size to the alternator.

And yes wobble = toastola. Everything should be smooth, silent, and straight.