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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: Mozman68 on March 05, 2008, 08:09:43 AM

Title: Loss of HP
Post by: Mozman68 on March 05, 2008, 08:09:43 AM

So....I have a sort of funny situation....

People always told me how disappointed I would be with my 4-banger's horsepower....but, outside of accelerating at highway speeds, I've always felt I had more than enough oomph around town.

I had a pretty bad alternator squeak for the last couple of months...to the point that I was waiting a couple of minutes during start-up for my volts to get up to 14 and then the squeak would stop.

I was at my local Dodge dealership last week for their $5 oil change special and I asked them to check out my electrical system assuming my alternator was going bad.

"Everything is fine....looks like you just need your belt tightened."

Fine....go ahead and tighten it....I always thought I tightened it enough...apparently not.

I think the belt was not only slipping on the alternator, but not turning the fan as well...or not at its full speed.

Now when I accelerate I can actually hear/feel the fan spinning....and robbing me of the extra HP I was enjoying.... :roflol:

So...my electrical is running fine...but now so is everything else unfortunately.

An electric fan just moved to the top of my "to do" list. :clap:

Title: Re: Loss of HP
Post by: jcsanders79 on March 05, 2008, 08:32:29 AM

Mine seems to loosen quickly too, there is real fine line for just right or too tight.  I have an electric fan and like it, there is a cheap way to do it, that you  don't have to buy a $350 fan.  It isn't connected to the thermostat.  It runs when the ignition is on but you can put a switch on it to turn it off if you want.  Total cost was somewhere around $75.

Title: Re: Loss of HP
Post by: jfrabat on March 05, 2008, 08:46:40 AM

I strongly recommend the fan as well; outside of regearing, I think it is one of the most noticeable mods in the power department...

Title: Re: Loss of HP
Post by: Jeffy on March 05, 2008, 09:54:39 AM

I typically tighten the belt to where it just stops squeaking with about an inch of deflection in the belt.  Overtightening it can also cause other problems.

Title: Re: Loss of HP
Post by: gunslinger on March 07, 2008, 08:34:45 PM

I put a Flex-a-Lite electric fan on my TJ about three years ago. It has a thermostat control on it so you can adjust when it kicks on and off. I get quicker warm ups in winter and run cooler in summer. They cost about $260 and I have had zero problems with it so far. You also get the power that the belt driven fan robs from your engine. An electric fan, no matter what kind, is almost a must do with a four banger.