1997 2.5l Jeep Cherokee squeeling at 3300 RPM

JEEPFUN

MEMBER
1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
4 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
149,000 MILES

1997 2.5l Jeep Cherokee. I have a horrible squeel that sounds like a bad bearing and consistently starts at 3300 rpm. The idler pulleys and PS pump are new and the water pump is less than a year old. Starts and idles fine with no noise. What are the symptoms of a bad crank pulley/vibration damper and can I test it somehow?

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 AT 8:31 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Something tells me it still deals with a belt. The crank pulley really doesn't go bad. IT is nothing more than a pulley. It could have to deal with one of the accessories, PS pump, water pump, alt. That has a bearing going bad. You may need to remove the belts and spin the accessories to see if anything feels like a bad bearing or loose.

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Monday, January 10th, 2011 AT 2:02 AM

JEEPFUN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks! I actually already figured it out. The belt was glazed and the backing washer on the tensioner idler pulley was worn from being previously loose. At that higher rpm (I'm talking on the floor), given the close clearance of the idler pulley to the mounting bracket, both the belt would squeel and the pulley would rub. Two squeels for the price of one, that's why it was so wierd figuring out. Thanks for the help! May have more serious question in the future and really appreciate your time!

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Monday, January 10th, 2011 AT 2:23 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Glad to help. I had one with the 2.5 in it years ago. I wish I had it back. It would go anywhere. However, the only ones I have come across always have the 4L in them. Let me know if you have questions in the future.

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Monday, January 10th, 2011 AT 2:39 AM