Grinding Noise from Fan Belt Area

[CherokeeMan]

Hello - I have a 96 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L auto with 202K. I am hearing a grinding noise coming from the fan belt area. As suggested by a couple of you (thanks again) I replaced the smooth idler pulley yesterday - that was easy and the new one is moving a lot easier however there is still the grinding noise. The noise sounds like a cement truck 

Thanks - CherokeeMan

[Toyman]

It could be a few things.  I would remove the belt again and see if one of the pully's is not moving freely.  When my electric fan was going, it sounded like gravel in a mixing truck.  Then when I replaced the motor with one from Pick N Pull, that one went too but sounded different, but still loud.  It could also be your alternator or your clutch fan, maybe even your water pump.  Good luck!

[CherokeeMan]

Thanks Toyman - I'll check the other pulleys. I suspect it might be my electric fan as well. When I was at the mechanic last week having some radiator work done they said my water pump and alternator were working fine.

[Immortal]

Is the noise all the time? It could be the A/C compressor... although they tend to scream, then grind, then stop working altogether. might have a pebble or something between the clutch and pulley on the compressor making that racket.

[Bnine]

Sounds like a water pump.

Take a long screw driver and hold the tip against various parts of the front assembly. Put your ear to the handle, and isolate the grinding.

Water pump is worst case, alternator would be better.