Belt Shredding Diagnosis?

[RichP]

Guess I have a chore to do tomorrow then Idler pulleys being? I'm really not very mechanically smart. The fact I even did that ups my knowledge some Is it possible to install a new water pump without taking the radiator out? I assume I atleast have to drain the fluid.

- Kevin

The idler are pulleys that are not attached to anything, they just act as belt pulleys, should be two of them, at least there are on my 98. They are like $15 each or so IIRC.
As for the water pump, generally you can get at the pump just by removing the fan shroud [that big plastic thing that covers the fan], removing the fan and the fan clutch as seperate items. There might be a couple of other things that need to be moved, brackets and sucn. Not sure on your year. Don't worrry about draining the coolant, it'll come out when you disconnect the hose Just have something under it to catch it. If you are going that far might as well do the hoses too. If you pockets are not hurting too bad consider a new rad if thats the original one, average life is about 7 years on a radiator. Modine makes a good one as a replacement. Do all that and you pretty well have the whole cooling system covered

 

[AZ Jeff]

This link might prove useful:

http://jeepin.com/features/waterpump/page2.asp

 

[verrive]

Ahh, I forgot that article came out the same day I got my water pump installed Do I need anything that won't come with the waterpump? I already have RTV sealant. My radiators only say 7 months old so I'm gonna hold off on that Out of curiosity what could be making my water pump go to shit? I had a new one put on in August, that was worn out in February and now the one I got installed in February is going out......

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[AZ Jeff]

When I do water pumps on the 4.0, I normally do the following also, due to the fact that it all has to come off to get at the pump anyhow:

1. thermostat and gasket
2. upper and lower rad hoses (if old)
3. heater hoses between engine and heater control valve.

 

[Jay Welch]

Looks like you have a water pump problem. I just replaced a water pump on my 89 and the belt looked very similar to yours. The pump bearing let go and the belt flew off just as my daughter drove into the driveway.

Pull the belt. The water pump pulley should move relatively easy and should not move at all when you tug the pulley forward on one side or the other.

You should pull the fan shrouds, mechanical fan and air box. Don't forget the bolt behind the power steering pump to get the brackets off and out of the way.

Easy job....just requires a little patience. Oh and buy new...not rebuilt...it's worth the few extra bucks.

Good luck,
Jay in MA

 

[verrive]

Well I got the water pump installed after a while due to some problems. For some reason the one of the water pump bolt holes wasn't tapped right and I didn't know to take off the radiator cap(first time) and I had a surprise when I took the hose off the water pump It fixed a nose I had been hearing as of lately but now I have a funny sound coming from my water pump. Any ideas on how hard it is to change out a power steering pump pulley?

Thanks,
Kevin