Just wanted to share how pleased I am with the Gates water pump I just purchased and installed. Paired with the Dorman inlet tube. It was a very well made product and only $16 and change through Amazon. It’s up to $17 and change now. But still in comparison to NAPA that wanted $43 and the other auto store in town was $38. Gasket sealed fine without rtv and it even came with studs to screw in to hold the gasket in place although all 4 were the same size which meant one was too short where the bottom right of the pump is thicker but it still worked great.

 

Almost 3yrs on my Gates (I used a barbed fitting instead of an oem type inlet tube though). Had been using Gates for many years and was hoping when I ordered it they still good to go.

 

That’s some reassurance for sure. Glad I saved money on the pump because apparently I need to change my belt now. I have it way tighter than the one on my other Cherokee and it stil chirps some. Anyone used a Gates belt? They’re only $15 on Amazon. Half the price of anywhere else. The one auto store in town where we get our air handler belts from sell Gates belts. It’ll probably be a bit higher priced but I would like to change it ASAP.

 

And I just called and it’s $40. Lol. I do get a discount though and a further discount if I use my works cash account so I think I’ll have to stop there and see what the best price they can give me. Or just order it from Amazon and drive my other jeep for a couple days while I’m waiting. It just really sucks that I would like to support local business but why would I pay 2 1/2 times the price for the identical item. If it was only a few dollars difference then that’s fine but wow.

 

I like to support our local businesses also. Many are people I know personally. But...…………………...

Here's what I used when replacing my cooling system. The belt was tightened again after ~100 miles and I haven't heard a chirp since. Got both parts at Rock Auto.
Belt (Dayco #5060950) $26.79
Idler pulley (Dayco #89097) $15.53

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f10/ro...2019-a-251401/

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...15943&jsn=1051
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...15943&jsn=1080

 

I used a Gates water pump back in May when I refreshed most of my cooling system. Light rtv on each side of the gasket, everything works great no complaints for only $16.

 

I went with a Napa one, which is just a rebranded Gates, but I work there so........
New Dorman thermostat housing, Dorman tube, Napa pulley, also rebranded Gates, Dorman adjuster,
and decided to use FelPro gaskets instead of the supplied ones.

Reused my temp sensor and my thermostat. Which is the cheap Napa one and works fine. Which I replaced 6
years ago when I first bought the Jeep.

I did have a new Mopar temp sensor and new Stant Superstat in the wings though just in case.
I really wanted to replace the thermostat but with some of the stories I have read about defective ones,
and that includes somebody who posted about a Mopar one, being bad out of the box did not.

FelPro very specifically tells you to put there gaskets in dry. So I did.
Managed to snap the top bolt on the water pump but got it out really easy.

The one really stupid thing I did, which I did not realize my mistake until I started hooking up the hoses,
was my positioning of the black tube. I duplicated the position using the old water pump, or so I thought
I had, and put it on. I am to close to my valve cover. If I ever have to remove the valve cover there is a
chance I might be removing a water pump to do so.

Hate when I do stupid ****.

 

I did that same thing on my other Cherokee, all from NAPA about 2 years ago. I’m broke now though so I’m trying to go cheap but still quality. I’ve always thought $30-$40 for a belt was ridiculous though. And I’ve found that the tube can still be turned a little without causing any leaks.

 

I ended up getting one for $30. Still twice as much as Amazon but at least I don’t need to worry about ruining my new water pump with the belt being too tight. And I figured out why I’m able to run the belt so loose on my other jeep. It’s because the compressor doesn’t run. The new belt is fine in all situations with it being kind of loose but as soon as I rev the engine with the AC or defroster on it wil chirp. So I’m running it a little tighter but no where near as tight as the old one. I would like to get one of those tension gauges from NAPA when I am able to.

 

I broke down and bought a Kritit II awhile back. Found it to be worth it.
With a '96 I used to own the "yeah that looks about right" method was fine.
With my '00 not so much. You get it to where the belt won't squeal when running
but then you go to turn on the AC and she wants to start whining.
So you tighten some more.
Just for kicks when I first got it I set the tension with the "yeah that looks about right" method.
Then checked it with the gauge. Could not believe how far off I was.
Close to 40 lbs.
I believe spec is:
140 to 160 for a used belt
180 to 200 for a new belt.
I always use the lower end of the range.

 

I bought a tension gauge a while back but haven't needed it yet. About a 100 miles after I had installed a new belt and idler pulley my son-in-law heard a chirping as I pulled up to his home. My hearing is shot so...……..
He's a good mechanic having worked at dealerships over the years. Not having a gauge here's what we did. First the vehicle should be at operating temp. Turn on all accessories. Have someone (with GOOD hearing) at the engine bay. Have someone in the vehicle to work the throttle. Quick punch the throttle. If the belt chirps tighten it. We did 1/8th turn increments until there was no chirp. Haven't needed it since. I kind of like this method because it seems you'd be tightening the belt to minimum but adequate tension.

 

Did you leave the pulley bolt loose and adjust tension while the engine was running or did you shut it down and restart every time?

 

Shut down every time. Only took 4 or 5 tries. You don't want to here a peep out of the belt when the throttle is quick punched. Guess I could check with my tension gauge to see just what it is. We're in the middle roofing and mending a barn for the next couple days though. NICE hot weather job.

 

I also used a Gates pump, probably been 3 years and 50k miles, working perfectly. Factory one chirped at idle and looked super gross inside.

Actually, my whole cooling system overhaul has held up nicely. Spectra radiator, Murray Heater Core, Four Seasons Evap Core and Dryer, Gates Waterpump, Dayco Hoses, Continental Gatorback belt, and a Chinese (literally has chinese script on the label) Electric Fan.

Only thing I regret is not replacing my condenser - the fins are half bent from rocks and stuff hitting it