1988 cherokee auto 4x4 straight 6 new water pump

Jewel · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Hello,

Recently, I changed my water pump and put a new serpentine belt on. I felt it was successful (since I had never put a water pump or belt on before). My Jeep does not over heat at least in the few miles I have driven it. However, I hear a low sounding errrrrr when driving it that I have never heard before I thought it was coming from the steering power box as I thought it was leaking before I changed the pump etc. However, there is no leakage from the steering power box itself. I am a bit worried regarding, this new sound.

Would anyone have any suggestions as to what the sound may be ?

Peace, Jewel

SteelHeadz · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 07:59 PM

One way to verify a noise that you think may be coming from the power steering pump is to listen if the frequency of the noise changes with the input from the steering wheel. If it is coming from the power steering , check the fuid level, check the power steering lines for kinks, or contact to the frame or any where that it may cause a vibration when the steering is under torque conditions.. Also, If you have just replaced the pump, did you purge the air out of the system?. If the fluid is aerated due to air in the system then you will hear a steering noise similar to an old ford steering growl..Prolong use of the pump with air in the system will damage the new pump..

Jewel · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 07:27 PM

Hello,

Thank you for your response. Apparently, the noise is not coming from my steering power box, however, I read a post on how tight should my serpentine belt be . . . could mine be to tight then? What I did was measure where my old belt was when I took it off and when I replaced it I put it where the old one was measuring with the first knuckle of my index finger (below the steering power box).

Is there a proper way to measure how tight the belt should be . . . my Jeep runs and it does not overheat from the drives I have taken it on (close to my home) not a lengthy drive. I feel I managed to take the air out of my coolant system. From what I have read it takes three times to do this by letting the system heat up then turning the engine off and the antifreeze sucks itself into the engine and then refill. As I mentioned it does not seem to overheat.

If you have anymore suggestion regarding, the grind I hear I would appreciate hearing from you.

Peace, Jewel

SteelHeadz · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 08:23 PM

My rule of thumb on how tight the belt should be is pushing down on the belt in between two pulleys that's the farthest apart.. A half inch of slack would be a good start and re-check it for proper operation such as running the A/C and turning the steering wheel from the lock to lock position. if you don't hear any belt squeel then turn the ignition off and tighten the pulley retaining nut and your done. If it squeels, tighten the belt some more to a quarter of an inch slack then re-check..