1996 Jeep Cherokee Smoking under hood, siezed up part?

1SK8TRSMOM

MEMBER
1996 JEEP CHEROKEE
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
112,000 MILES

My son used to like to off road. I know he went through high water( about three years ago). Right after he'd done that there began to be a belt type of squeal happening when the AC was on. (He described it as the engine "screaming like a woman!) Then it started squealing whenever it started, but the squealing would stop after a few minutes when it was warmed up. I hadn't started it for about two months and when I did, it started and squealed as "usual", but the squealing didn't stop this time, and smoke started coming from under the hood. When I looked, one of the belts was smoking. In front, behind the radiator, but in front of the block, there are three belt driven parts, the one in the middle is not turning, causing the belt to heat up. Anybody know what's going on?
I am obviously not a mechanic.

7 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok I am thinking you are looking at the water pump but if you could include a pic of what you are looking at I can verify that for you. Thanks.

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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 10:13 AM

1SK8TRSMOM

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4 POSTS

I don't have a way to send a photo right now. So what do I do if it is the water pump?

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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 10:53 AM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok so that is your water pump. So now you must decide weather you think you can replace it yourself or take it to a shop and have it replaced. If you do want to do this your self then I recomend getting a repair manual and between that and myself I can help walk you through it. Let me know what you would like to do. Do not drive it with the water pump bad as this will make it get very hot without you really knowing it till it is to late and the engine is no good ok.

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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 10:30 AM

RACEFAN966

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So how did it go?

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Saturday, February 14th, 2009 AT 1:37 PM

1SK8TRSMOM

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4 POSTS

I haven't tried to do it yet I'm embarrassed to say. I'd like to try it myself, but it seems like a daunting task. I might have to give in and have it towed to a shop, but at least now I know what it is.
Could this be a result of the Jeep being driven through water up to the wheel wells? I'm pretty sure my son watched one too many Jeep commercials, or maybe that "Jackass" show that used to be on, and tried to do something he saw on tv.