5.2l jeep serpentine belt alignment problem

[Brothers In Arms]

As mentioned, the harmonic balancer may have failed. The other item to check very closely is the waterpump. At that mileage, it is bound to have a new waterpump, and if it is on wrong (or wrong pump installed), your belt will never line up.

Serpentine belts are stupid easy to install, but they can be installed wrong.

Thanks for that man. Hmmm...seems that this issue could be any number of these mentioned areas, or some combination. Thinking i may want to turn it over to either someone VERY experienced who could check/fix all this at my home, or take a chance, have a buddy follow me, and take it to a good reputable jeep specialist somewhere. Anyone close to alpharetta who knows this stuff well enough to come look at it? Or who knows a good jeep specialist, again, close to alpharetta, but wont charge alpharetta prices.....i am NOT wealthy i can assure you.

 

[jeep78]

Thanks for that man. Hmmm...seems that this issue could be any number of these mentioned areas, or some combination. Thinking i may want to turn it over to either someone VERY experienced who could check/fix all this at my home, or take a chance, have a buddy follow me, and take it to a good reputable jeep specialist somewhere. Anyone close to alpharetta who knows this stuff well enough to come look at it? Or who knows a good jeep specialist, again, close to alpharetta, but wont charge alpharetta prices.....i am NOT wealthy i can assure you.

For years, Jasper Ga was the Jeep capitol of the Southeast US. Hopefully some expertise has drifted down toward you.

Good luck, it really should be simple to find and fix.

 

[jeep78]

I just remembered the harmonic balancer is a pressed fit, if it looks new, it may not be positioned properly on the crankshaft, and that would cause mis-alignment of your belt.

 

[Lockout]

As mentioned, the harmonic balancer may have failed. The other item to check very closely is the waterpump. At that mileage, it is bound to have a new waterpump, and if it is on wrong (or wrong pump installed), your belt will never line up.

Serpentine belts are stupid easy to install, but they can be installed wrong.

this

 

[Brothers In Arms]

I could be wrong but the water pump does not look new....in fact nothing does except the auto tensioner previously mentioned. I loosened the belt, realigned it down at the crank pulley properly on all grooves, double checked that it was good on all other pulleys and then ran the engine about 10 mins. Shut it off and sure enough, its off track again by one groove at the crank pulley. No pulleys were loose as well. I did notice a slight wobbly sound from behind the crank pulley/harmonic balancer area. I took some pics and seems there is alot of material broken off on very back side of balancer....note the jagged points in pics leftover...looks like an entire ring was once back there. I now remember the previous owner saying the motor mounts were replaced because of excessive engine vibration. Thoughts anyone?

 

[jeep78]

The balancer can come apart with age. They are 2 concentric metal rings with a rubber isolator between. If yoy have any wobble vrom that part, replace it.

Pic shows one failed completely :

 

[8675309]

alot of automatic belt tensioners have wear arrows
check this also since all you have to do is look at it

 

[8675309]

 

[Ken Ford]

I don't see anything major wrong with the balancer, fairly typical. The belt was installed one "notch" off. While your harmonic balancer is worn and could use replacing. Your immediate problem looks to be the install.

The balancer being a out of alignment would cause much slower wear.
I've installed one just like this, got in a hurry, the damage was identical.

 

[LARGO9]

Same thing happen to me with my 98 jeep,, changed the crank pulley, the rubber broke loose,, fixed the problem