XJ Tips

jdtorque · 01-25-2011, 07:04 AM

So tonight I will be attempting to replace my alternator, serpentine belt, upper radiator hose, and catalytic converter. Looking for any tips from anyone who has done these jobs before and ran into any snags. Thanks a lot

JosHeis · 01-25-2011, 08:11 AM

Only thing I can suggest is watch you don't unplug the temp. sensor, I bumped mine changing the belt didn't notice I had unplugged it and when to start my jeep afterwards and just cranked and cranked turned over misfired for like 30 secs and then ran normal and mil light came on lol took me like a hour to figure out what the hell I did as I didn't have a scan tool yet. But alternator is pretty simple on all cars and so is the upper radiator hose. Never done a cat but if its just clamped on it shouldn't be to hard. Hope this helps.

jdtorque · 01-25-2011, 08:14 AM

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on that.

Just out of curiosity, what's the best/correct way to loosen the belt? Power steering pump?

**chriskeenan** · 01-25-2011, 08:14 AM

the cat is usually very hard to remove with out cutting it off the pipe, so have the saws-all handy, the rest is fairly strait forward and easy. Also using a jack on the frame to lift the front passenger side can make getting the alternator in and out from the bottom easier.

**chriskeenan** · 01-25-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdtorque

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on that.

Just out of curiosity, what's the best/correct way to loosen the belt? Power steering pump?

the belt tensioner is the small smooth pulley right under the power steering pump, loosen the bolt in the center of the pulley and the turn the sideways bolt to the left of it to loosen or tighten the belt, the pulley will move in and out, tighten the center bolt when done.

--chris-- · 01-25-2011, 08:23 AM

The cat is one of those things i would just take somewhere and have them cut/weld it on for $30. That is of course if you dont have a welder.

Everything else should be pretty straightforward.

jdtorque · 01-25-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriskeenan

the belt tensioner is the small smooth pulley right under the power steering pump, loosen the bolt in the center of the pulley and the turn the sideways bolt to the left of it to loosen or tighten the belt, the pulley will move in and out, tighten the center bolt when done.

Thanks.

jdtorque · 01-25-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheap5.0

The cat is one of those things i would just take somewhere and have them cut/weld it on for $30. That is of course if you dont have a welder.

Everything else should be pretty straightforward.

I would love that. problem is everyone around me wanted to charge me over 300 dollars to replace the cat.

Brookhart63 · 01-25-2011, 09:35 AM

I replaced my cat in a short amount of time. Its not really hard if you cut it off. I tried taking one off of a buddys91 and our sawsall died so we had to use a hammer. It was a pita. If you dont want to weld it, you could go the coupling route but that tends to leak and rust.

jdtorque · 01-25-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brookhart63

I replaced my cat in a short amount of time. Its not really hard if you cut it off. I tried taking one off of a buddys91 and our sawsall died so we had to use a hammer. It was a pita. If you dont want to weld it, you could go the coupling route but that tends to leak and rust.

I'm going to try getting it off wihtout cutting tonight, and if I can't, I'll cut it out over the weekend. I'm not gonna bother welding it, becuase I'm plannign on installing a magnaflow exhaust this summer.

--chris-- · 01-25-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdtorque

I would love that. problem is everyone around me wanted to charge me over 300 dollars to replace the cat.

That stinks man. From what i gather, i live in an alternate universe as far as labor costs go. Ive had a few cats welded on for $25 lol.