Serpentine belt
 

Heard a funny noise on start up of the GC yesterday. Turned off and inspected and found that the serpentine belt had frayed length-wise and stripped 1 or 2 ribs. I've just ordered a replacement and was hoping to get a spare idler pulley just incase but DAMN they're expensive.. $69 was the cheapest I could find in Aus.. So i'm going to change and hope that the pulleys are all in good order..

My question is do belts tend to go on their own or is it generally pulley/bearing related?

Anything else that might help before changing it? I know, like most jobs on the GC, its going to be a pain in the butt.. but anything else that might help would be great to know.

Cheers!

As a general rule changing the serpentine belt is fairly easy, a bit fiddle to get your hands in to the right spots the first time but easier once you know how.

They will go with age which is why they have a service interval, I change the tensioner every 3rd belt change or earlier if needed, you can usually tell when the tensioner needs changing because you’ll see them chatter as the belt goes around or the create uneven wear on an otherwise heathy belt. I’d suggest you change yours, especially if it’s stripped the outer 2 ribs off the belt.

When was the last time the water pump was changed? If your going to be in the area it might be worthwhile doing everything at once, I did my water pump, serpentine belt, belt tensioner, fan clutch, replaced the coolant, and replaced the fan all in one go, saves going back in at a later stage to have to do it all again.

When shopping for maintenance parts, check out www.rockauto.com , they have a wide range of parts to suit all models and ship next day for most things, I’ve had orders arrive in as little as 3 days, but the average is 5 days, still faster than I can get stuff from Melbourne to Brisbane lol


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i recently frayed a rib off my serpentine belt and it was due to a water pump change. The aftermarket waterpump's pulley sat forward a little (by 1 rib's width), thus throwing the pulleys slightly out of alignment and the belt eventually frayed by running over the inner lip of the pulley. Have you recently changed water pump?

It would be interesting to know which aftermarket pump? Are you sure the alignment was out, these days it is unusual for things mass produced, to manufactured incorrectly.
It is usually something like a gasket was fitted, when not required, or vice versa no gasket fitted.

the waterpump uses the rubber seal gasket, same as oem and no further gasket was added. Definitely 1 rib out!

It was a Truflo pump

I havent used Rockauto but i will be now! Thats a great find.

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I’ve been using them for years, ever since I bought my first WJ/G in 2003. I’ve saved $000’s, and much frustration by bypassing the FCA nonsupply chain and getting my stuff faster and direct to my door. [emoji41]

Doug.


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