Belt/Pulley Squeal
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 645
Likes: 34
Model: Cherokee
The first thing you should always do with a belt squeal is to get a Krikit belt tension gauge and set the belt tension to 140 to 160 ft lbs (or 180 to 200 ft lbs for a brand new belt that has never been run). You can sometimes get one from Napa auto parts stores, or you can order one from Amazon.
Often the squealing is caused by a loose belt. They're supposed to be tighter than most people think. You cannot tell if the belt is tight enough by twisting it with your fingers unless your fingers have somehow been magically calibrated to 140 to 160 ft lbs. Otherwise you're basically just guessing.
If you still have a problem after making sure the tension is correct, then start looking at something binding up.
Often the squealing is caused by a loose belt. They're supposed to be tighter than most people think. You cannot tell if the belt is tight enough by twisting it with your fingers unless your fingers have somehow been magically calibrated to 140 to 160 ft lbs. Otherwise you're basically just guessing.
If you still have a problem after making sure the tension is correct, then start looking at something binding up.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 3
From: Santa Cruz Ca.
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
I have a WJ so forgive me if I am way off. It looks like this is a serpentine belt . Don’t all serpentine belts have tensioners on them that manage the tightness of the belt? I wasn’t aware serpentine belts can be adjusted for tension. It sounds to me like belt slipping rather than a pulley. I would play with the tensioner to see If I could eliminate the squealing. With the engine running, put a little pressure on the tensioner to see if that stops the noise. They are spring loaded and I can assume that over time, the spring might weaken.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I have a WJ so forgive me if I am way off. It looks like this is a serpentine belt . Don’t all serpentine belts have tensioners on them that manage the tightness of the belt? I wasn’t aware serpentine belts can be adjusted for tension. It sounds to me like belt slipping rather than a pulley. I would play with the tensioner to see If I could eliminate the squealing. With the engine running, put a little pressure on the tensioner to see if that stops the noise. They are spring loaded and I can assume that over time, the spring might weaken.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,676
Likes: 301
From: WV
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
blueseasons,
There is no tensioner on ours as your describe. Suppose to adjust them to a certain ftlbs. 160 I believe?
I redid my complete cooling system w/new belt and idler last fall. After about 150mi my new belt needed readjusting. My hearing is far from the best but during hunting season my SIL noticed a squeal. Here's how I've adjust my belts in the past. Have someone at the drivers side fender to do the listening(GOOD hearing mandatory!lol). With the vehicle at full operating temp and with the a/c on punch the throttle good. Not to the floor. Just a good hard punch for a split second (hard to describe it). If your bud here's a squeal loosen the tension adjustment and start out tightening it 1/4 turn. Try it again and keep trying 1/4 turn at time(you can do less as the squealing starts to subside) until you get no squeal. I've got mine to where there is only the slightest chirp. I have to try and make it happen so I let go. These belt are to be unbelievably tight. You won't break it. Although I've never tested with a tension tool if I ever get a chance to I'd like to see what I've got. Never lost a belt driven part doing it the way I do.
There is no tensioner on ours as your describe. Suppose to adjust them to a certain ftlbs. 160 I believe?
I redid my complete cooling system w/new belt and idler last fall. After about 150mi my new belt needed readjusting. My hearing is far from the best but during hunting season my SIL noticed a squeal. Here's how I've adjust my belts in the past. Have someone at the drivers side fender to do the listening(GOOD hearing mandatory!lol). With the vehicle at full operating temp and with the a/c on punch the throttle good. Not to the floor. Just a good hard punch for a split second (hard to describe it). If your bud here's a squeal loosen the tension adjustment and start out tightening it 1/4 turn. Try it again and keep trying 1/4 turn at time(you can do less as the squealing starts to subside) until you get no squeal. I've got mine to where there is only the slightest chirp. I have to try and make it happen so I let go. These belt are to be unbelievably tight. You won't break it. Although I've never tested with a tension tool if I ever get a chance to I'd like to see what I've got. Never lost a belt driven part doing it the way I do.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 5
From: York PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
The first thing you should always do with a belt squeal is to get a Krikit belt tension gauge and set the belt tension to 140 to 160 ft lbs (or 180 to 200 ft lbs for a brand new belt that has never been run). You can sometimes get one from Napa auto parts stores, or you can order one from Amazon.
Often the squealing is caused by a loose belt. They're supposed to be tighter than most people think. You cannot tell if the belt is tight enough by twisting it with your fingers unless your fingers have somehow been magically calibrated to 140 to 160 ft lbs. Otherwise you're basically just guessing.
If you still have a problem after making sure the tension is correct, then start looking at something binding up.
Often the squealing is caused by a loose belt. They're supposed to be tighter than most people think. You cannot tell if the belt is tight enough by twisting it with your fingers unless your fingers have somehow been magically calibrated to 140 to 160 ft lbs. Otherwise you're basically just guessing.
If you still have a problem after making sure the tension is correct, then start looking at something binding up.
I have a WJ so forgive me if I am way off. It looks like this is a serpentine belt . Don’t all serpentine belts have tensioners on them that manage the tightness of the belt? I wasn’t aware serpentine belts can be adjusted for tension. It sounds to me like belt slipping rather than a pulley. I would play with the tensioner to see If I could eliminate the squealing. With the engine running, put a little pressure on the tensioner to see if that stops the noise. They are spring loaded and I can assume that over time, the spring might weaken.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 18
From: Florida
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
It's 140 to 160 ft lbs for a used belt, and 180 to 200 ft lbs for a new belt. In this context "new" means never run at all. They stretch when breaking in, hence the higher tension for the brand new one. I usually tighten a new belt to 190 and then check it again after driving it a while.
I redid my complete cooling system w/new belt and idler last fall. After about 150mi my new belt needed readjusting. My hearing is far from the best but during hunting season my SIL noticed a squeal. Here's how I've adjust my belts in the past. Have someone at the drivers side fender to do the listening(GOOD hearing mandatory!lol). With the vehicle at full operating temp and with the a/c on punch the throttle good. Not to the floor. Just a good hard punch for a split second (hard to describe it). If your bud here's a squeal loosen the tension adjustment and start out tightening it 1/4 turn. Try it again and keep trying 1/4 turn at time(you can do less as the squealing starts to subside) until you get no squeal. I've got mine to where there is only the slightest chirp. I have to try and make it happen so I let go. These belt are to be unbelievably tight. You won't break it. Although I've never tested with a tension tool if I ever get a chance to I'd like to see what I've got. Never lost a belt driven part doing it the way I do.
Push. Click. Read. "Holy crap that's nowhere near tight enough." Adjust the belt.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,676
Likes: 301
From: WV
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee
When I ordered some of the parts for my cooling system from Rock Auto the Krikit was on backorder. Of course no one around here had one so it was my way or no way because I needed my vehicle on the road. BUT the next time I do order from them I'm going to get one. Got my curiosity up.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 5
From: York PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
When I ordered some of the parts for my cooling system from Rock Auto the Krikit was on backorder. Of course no one around here had one so it was my way or no way because I needed my vehicle on the road. BUT the next time I do order from them I'm going to get one. Got my curiosity up.
Even has a nifty little shirt pocket clip, like a pen. So you can look like a super tech.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
To all those that told me that the belt was too loose and I denied it, I apologize. Tightened the belt today, with only about a 1/4 inch of deflection in it, and it works beautifully. No squeal no nothing. Should have been one of the first things I checked. Thank you so much for all your help everyone!