Just a Blond here trying to tighten her serpintine belt...

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 3:20 pm

I have 2.8l CRD diesel with a serpentine belt that I can't figure out how to tighten. It's routed right, just don't know how to tighten it. I'm sure it's a simple fix but this rig didn't come with any manuals. It was squealing a bit and found it was loose.

dan86 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 3:22 pm

It has an automatic tensioner. When you removed the old one you would have had to move the tensioner to get it off. From memory it's a 15mm spanner/socket needed.

2003 KJ Liberty 2.5 CRD

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 3:31 pm

I apologize, was trying to listen at too many people at once, just tighten not replace. Would make since Id already know how to tighten it if I had taken it off but It was actually just loose. Now Would I tug to the right or to the left? (clockwise or counter) remember this is my first time attempting this....and I'm a blond! Keep it simple

dan86 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 3:58 pm

excuse my ignorance, but I'm slightly confused! If you just want to tighten the belt because it is loose, you can't. It automatically tensions itself. If the belt is loose, it's stretched and requires replacement.
If however you are trying to replace the belt, I can't remember for sure, but think it's counter clockwise to release tension off the belt.
Hope some or all of this helps!

2003 KJ Liberty 2.5 CRD

gmctd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 4:01 pm

The serp belt is tensioned automatically by a coil spring in the tensioner arm - the tensioner itself only bolts\unbolts to it's assigned location, no adjustment possible

Possibility deteriorated belt, wrong belt size, or broken tensioner, OR:

The alternator pulley is specific to this engine, is isolation-type - when the pulley malfunctions, you get serp belt chirp, squeal, maybe rattle, etc

Pull the plastic front hub cover off the pulley for a look-see: if the pulley is rusty, it needs replacing, no ifs, ands, or buts about it

IDPARTS.com and etc have the correct specific replacement

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:04 pm

About a month ago I had the alternator and pulley replaced due to some really strange rattling and clicking. The Alternator pulley was also covered in a rusty colored dust. Also had a new belt slapped on. Off topic but I'm wondering after reading some posts if the tensioner pulley should have been replaced also? But back to the squeal. I took the jeep for a drive this afternoon and it seems to only do it (when it wants to) when I Accelerate into a turn.

olypopper · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:11 pm

As mentioned by the others, the belt is tightened automatically by the belt tensioner......if you are having a squealing problem in turns, first check that the power steering fluid is topped off. If that is good, you may very well have a power steering type failure coming.......like a bad pump or something else in the system.

dan86 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:25 pm

I'd be looking elsewhere also if the noise is there whilst turning. I'd have somebody turn the steering whilst you listen and try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. Also, if it transpires the noise is from the alternator or belt, take it back to where the work was done and get them to put it right.

2003 KJ Liberty 2.5 CRD

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:59 pm

Will do

I just want to thank you all for your help and advice. I love my jeep but it's hard to find people who know anything about these quirky little diesels. Anyways, I'm heading back out right now to do some more examining. I'll Let you all know what I find

gmctd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:04 pm

Ensure that the alt pulley is specifically for the KJ CRD Diesel -
- it is a rubber-isolated two-piece assembly
- the pulley for the spark-infested KJ's is a one-piece solid unit and will not be functional in Diesel service

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:58 pm

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:59 pm

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:01 pm

I'm pretty sure it's the right altenator and pulley. But just in case I posted a couple pics. I inspected the old one quite thoroughly before it was put on. They looked identical.
I did find that the squeal more than likely is coming from the power steering pump...worst case the steering gearbox

The fluid was in fact a little low and dumb me was paying too much attention on not spilling that I overfilled the resevore. So I went inside, grabbed a turkey injector and withdrew the excessive fluid. To my surprise it was almost as dark as used motor oil and smelt a little bit burnt. :banghead:

gmctd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 9:40 pm

Right, that is the correct Diesel pulley, so we (collectively) can work from there

'Sawrite for the ps fluid to have a slightly burned odor, long as you replace it soon - all lubricants have finite durability and life

You can look up fluid service and replacement schedules in the FSM

Use this link for downloadable KJ FSM's in PDF form

http://colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2015 11:32 am

Oh my Gosh! You're a God send, thank you. I've been looking everywhere for something like this.

Elliemay79 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 7:55 pm

So an update on the jeep. I took it into the dealer and told them I'd like to have the power steering pump and tensioner replaced. But they said that THEY needed to diagnosis it first. They came back with the same results but ALSO said I needed a new powersteering belt????! "You mean serpentine belt?" Oh no an a/c powersteering belt.
Alright, I need to know if is some hidden mysterious belt or are they taking me for a ride. :dizzy:

gmctd · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:17 pm

Possibly they replaced the belt generically, which could be wrong compound for the Diesel, inch-or-so too long for the Diesel, etc, which would cause squeal under normal use - likely the dealer wants to install the correct belt for the KJ CRD model B4 any further expenditures

Inform them of your awareness of subtle and not so subtle differences between a Diesel and a spark-infested KJ - maybe that will wake them up to the CRD nomenclature of yours, with one serpentine accessory drive belt - could print out the FSM PDF page illustrating the belt for further enhancement of their awareness

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:37 pm

there is no separate power steering belt on the 2.8

the accessory drive belt i.e. the serpentine
drives power steering, alternator, engine heater, AC

you could ask them to show you the specific part in the parts diagram

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 12:43 am

PLEASE get your CRD away from the dealer, they are likely to try and repair the power steering by first removing the doors and seats.

They are morons, all.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Apr 28, 2015 1:10 pm

I don't know about all morons.... well..maybe.....I really don't have a good argument here....

I think most are just incompetent...... especially on the CRD

I will say - if you're working on your own Jeep - it's not that much different from other vehicles - a few quirks - not much

but if you're paying someone else to do it - you' normally spending $100/hour to train them how to work on it.

and that gets expensive fast.

Just a Blond here trying to tighten her serpintine belt...

Who is online