squealing from front of motor.

[mudpaw]

hey all! I drive an 88 xj with a 4 litre, I have air conditioning....(never used it) I am having a hard time figuring out what is squealing..  I  know it is from the front... (belt or pulleys)  brand new altinator.( I thought that at first because the voltage reg. went) the noise is not always there,it happens once a week or so, it gets louder when I accelerate, (or rev) then sometimes just goes away. I read other posts about squealing until it is warmed up.. I don't  think that is the case.. the noise is hella loud and sounds like a belt squeal only LOUDER.  (i still think bearing.) I am planning on pulling out an A/C eliminator from pick and pull tommorow and hoofing the A/C (does anyone want it? it may still work I havent tried)

my power stearing fluid looks really dark (like coffee or cola) I think I am gonna grab a P/S  pump as well.. I have never changed one.. do I have to bleed it??? 

my hopes are that is A/C or P/S  maybe the idler pulleys?  I hope it is NOT the water pump or a motor bearing .  any ideas or help would be appriciated, like what bearings go most often??

thanks
mudpaw!

[Dragonmaster]

Have you already replaced the belt?  If so it's probably the idler pulleys.  They go bad often.

[mudpaw]

thanks... i pulled out a new looking one from PnP today (idler pulley).. I also got an A/C eliminator I am installing right now. I will let you know.  thanks again for the help! 

I also got a brand new looking starter... (my starter is fine) lucky find I guess. 
mudpaw!

Oh the belt is brand new..(edit)

[red95jeepyj]

or it could be your a/c bearings if you havn;t used it in awhile correct me if i am wrong

[mudpaw]

well A/C is out... the noise is even louder.... wow. I just tookk off my belt,  no noise (glad its not the motor)  I am gunna try it with no fan.....maybe fan clutch?...

can I press out the bearing in my idler pulley and put a new one in??

once again thanks for all the help... I am running in circles

[BlackYJ]

If it is the PS pump the squeel will get louder as you makes turns.  I recently had my idler pulley go and there was tons of play in the bearing.  Does the newer idler pulley spin freely?

As for the fan clutch it should spin a little bit if the bearing is good and hardly spin if it is done for.  Also if you have a long screwdriver or stethescope, listen to the bearings with the engine running, just watch out for the fan

[mudpaw]

fixed...running great.. I pressed.....(pounded) new bearings int my idler pulley and A/C eliminator pulley.  I have more power and it runs quieter.  I got the bearings from bowness auto parts for $4.61 each.  I am wondering if my belt tension wasn't tight enough as well. I thought it was but now it feels tighter.

thanks again everyone.. see you on the trails.