I picked up a nice 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ and I need to replace the Sanden A/C compressor. I figured I would go ahead and do the radiator , water pump , all hoses , t-stat and the serpentine belt while doing the compressor since the cooling system was not given the attention it need.

My question is getting the serpentine belt off the pulleys on the engine. I have always seen designs by which you use a wrench or socket and pull up on a tensioner to slack the belt and pull it off. This is not the case on my 2001 XJ with inline engine. It seems like it is just a idler wheel and the bolt is in a slot. I can not loosen it . Is this idle wheel "reverse" threaded to go clockwise to loosen?

Any advice is appreciated .

Happiness is 'WORKIN ON THE JEEP'

 

look under the power steering pulley... you will find a nut there, LOOSEN IT ONLY! look at the back of the pump and LOOSEN the two bolts on the back. Then finally, on the side of the pump at the bottom of the bracket, there is a long bolt that is used to adjust the tension by moving the pump side to side. It sounds more complicated than it is but you should have no trouble with it.

 

Yup, leave it to jeep to use the PS pump as the serpantine belt tensioner.

 

I'll be darned... thanks for the help. Got it. It will be a fun day. New Radiator and hoses , t-stat , belt and A/C comp.

Happiness is workin' on the JEEP

OIIIO

 

Just glad to help... Trust me, all of us have to learn at some time or another. That is why we are here!

 

Near enough on-topic that I don't need to start a thread. My 92 4cyl ate my serpentine belt.

To start troubleshooting, I slapped a new belt on it and it did the same thing. Obviously I had a pre-existing problem. When I began to prod around, I noticed my pulley on the water pump has lateral movement.

Is it possible to take it off and try to reset it or do I need to purchase a whole new pump.

When I have the funds I am going to replace the pump anyway as I have found a bit of coolant in my driveway. I'm sure, but not actually sure, it is coming from my indicator.

 

The bushing's shot, it's leaking, replace the pump and be done with it.

 

It was such a good day too.

 

By the way, Welcome to CF from Dan in Tenn.!

 

Check that tensioner pulley bearing while belt is off!

 

I am confused as to how the PS pump effects the serpentine belt. I just changed my belt. (2000 4.0) and all I had to do was loosen the pulley bolt a half a turn and then unbolt the tensioner till it was loose enough to remove the belt. I had to do nothing to the PS pump. Am I missing something?

 

On meh 92 the tensioner is on the power steering pump.

 

Yeah, you got it right. I just did my '00 and it took a bit of searching to find the right method.

Apparently (earlier?) years used the pump as the tensioner and (later?) years used an automatic spring tensioner (or maybe vice-versa?), but on the '00 straight six there's an idler pulley underneath the P/S pump as you describe.