2000 Jeep Cherokee Belt and/or Water Pump

2000 JEEP CHEROKEE
115,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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JEEPERS2000
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I went to start my car and noticed battery gauge low and power steering out and the temperature gauge running a little hot. Popped the hood and noticed the fan belt (v belt I think is the proper term) broke. I replaced the belt, alligned and tightened everything up, but when I started the engine I noticed the belt was not moving and I heard a loud high pitched squealing ( I assume this was the belt rubbing against the pulley). I noticed the coolant looked dirty (I'm sure I need to flush it). I've heard Chrysler water pumps go bad quicker than other brands especially when the coolant is contaminated...something to do with a plastic piece in them... Anyway...Would this be a bad water pump? Any other possibilities?
Jan 20, 2010 at 10:06 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Check tensioner, idler waterpump, alt, and a/c pulleys, spin by hand, they should snin freely with no roughness or binding, you will find the bad one(s).
Jan 20, 2010 at 10:14 AM
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JEEPERS2000
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I checked all the pulleys and they all move except the a/c pulley. I can't get it to move at all. Do I have to have the engine running for it to move? I'm guessing it's seized. What would cause this? What are the fixes?
Jan 20, 2010 at 5:13 PM
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MERLIN2021
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There is a bearing pressed into the pulley and it needs to come off, and a new pulley with bearing already pressed in is installed, or a new/remanufactured one or a used part from the junky...the only alternative is an a/c compressor elimination pulley, but you loose a/c...
Jan 20, 2010 at 5:19 PM
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JEEPERS2000
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Also forgot to add that the inside portion (clutch) of the a/c pulley will not move either. Can I just replace that bearing or do I need to replace the entire compressor....is an a/c compressor elimination pulley easy to find? It's cold here and I'm short on funds right now so a/c is not my top priority at the moment. Getting my Jeep running is though.
Jan 20, 2010 at 5:45 PM
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MERLIN2021
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The only way is with a junkyard pulley, that's if when you remove the small bolt on the front, then the c clip, the pulley will slide off, so wount, then a special puller is needed.
http://www.rockauto.com
sells the elimination pulley, but a local junkyard is faster!
Jan 21, 2010 at 2:31 AM
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JEEPERS2000
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Well I've decided the whole compressor needs to go b/c the whole pulley and clutch are seized. I tried disconnecting the magnetic clutch and everything and it won't budge. I've called all around and cannot locate an a/c bypass pulley for this model anywhere. I did find a used compressor at the junkyard. Is it possible to replace the compressor with the used one and not hook it up or add freon or anything and just use it for the pulley? I'm not worried about having the a/c working I just want my Jeep back on the road.

Thanks for the help.
Jan 21, 2010 at 9:42 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Install it and attach the lines, you can drive it without recharging it until you want too.
Jan 21, 2010 at 9:09 PM