i already have my relay removed but in an effort to simplify and clean up the engine compartment and prevent future issues with clutch bearing etc- is is possible to remove the viscous heater totaly and maybe a shorter belt or just an idler pulley?? Sorry but i have not really looked under the hood to study this yet, i was wondering if anyone has already done this? OR is this thing that important that we need it, in cold weather, i believe this serves as a comfort feature not really an engine running necessity. correct? thanks

Based on the belt routing IMHO you cannot just remove it unless you replace it with a bracket and bearing for the belt to ride on which I have thought about but not considered it worth the effort. With the relay pulled the clutch should never engage and while it's possible for the bearing to go it's possible to just replace the bearing see viewtopic.php?f=5&t=60567&start=20

Also IMHO it's primarily a comfort feature altough it might very slightly shorten engine warm up time in very cold weather but certainly no more than plugging in the block heater.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

I ask why you would like to remove it? For MPG? A hot engine gets better MPG so what it takes to drive it may be recovered by fuel savings.
Now if it does not work and you live someplace warm. You may not need it. I have other Diesels and this one warms up so much faster, the viscous heater doing it's job.
Just IMHO

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2006 Jeep Liberty CRD
1998 Beetle TDI Malone Tuning Stage 2
2001 Dodge Cummins
2005 Dodge Cummins
ASE, OBDII / VAG-CAN scaner / Service Manual

mine is starting to chirp and squeek a little so i am starting to be concerned, and i really do not want to spend the big bucks on a new one, i think just be done with it and never worry about it again, i wonder do the euro models have the VH or another belt setup? i really would like to find an idler pulley to put in its place, unless someone has successfully found the replacement clutch for this thing. maybe one of the aftemarket mfgs make something for this??

Mine was doing that also.

I sprayed WD-40 inside the front slits of the V.H. drenching the bearing while the engine was spinning, allowing all the trapped dirt to drip out along with the overflow.

The chirp went away and it's been like that for over 2 years now.

If you have accumulated dust and dirt on and around the VH, I would hose that off with water (first protect the electrical connectors around the VH with plastic baggies or dielectric grease) and then use the WD-40.

I use dielectric grease on all the connectors and regularly power wash the engine. I have never had any problems with water in the electrical connectors or a starting problem after an engine cleaning.

Keeping dust and dirt off of all of those moving parts will extend their life. Trapped dust and dirt in bearings will act like sand paper.

Washing the engine and dielectric grease are my friends.

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2006 Liberty Limited CRD, Deep Beryl Green, Yeti tune, Arp studs, new cams, rockers, lifters, TB. "Green Monster"
2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Deep Beryl Green, GDE Hot Tune, ARP studs. "Rocket"
1982 Fiat 124 Spider Convertible. "Fiona"

thanks for the tip. i wanted to do just that but my concern was the WD would wash out any necessary grease in there and eventually leave it withou lube and make it worse. but since you did it with sucess i will also do the same .. THANKS A MILLION.
But eventually we will all have a problem with this thing then what??