96 Engine question

[J Mo]

Haven't gotten any service manual yet so need a little insight....

Went to change the serp belt on my recently aquired 96 4.0 I6. From the information I got from several places, I was prepared to loosen the Power Steering to get the belt off as indicated here:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q272/jemcaven/96XJ/ps1.jpg

and here:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q272/jemcaven/96XJ/ps2.jpg

My Power Steering does not have the bolts as shown - there are two on top that face towards the back of the jeep (bolt heads are towards the front) and a couple on the left side as you look at it from the front. None on the backhand side or below the PS pully.

So I did a little more research and it looks like I have an idler pully that loosens to take the Serp belt off as shown here:

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q272/jemcaven/96XJ/99xjengine.gif

I have read that 97 and newer have an idler pully to loosen the belt. Is this correct? If so, does this mean that my engine is possibly a rebuilt engine? It's definitely an I6 and definitely a 96. Where am I getting confused on this?

[8Mud]

I'm not going to swear this is fact, but I'm failry certain 96 was a transition year. Many of the pieces on my 96 are 95 (I've had to reorder numerous times) and I also have the idler pulley adjustment. I know on numerous occasions, what the book called for didn't fit, like the O2 sensor plugs for my 96 and other stuff.
I've even heard rumors of some 96's having a different PCM or rather some having the early and some the late (post 96). Though this may be just for the export models.

[my65289stang]

My 96 is the same as the last picture you posted. Loosen the idler pulley bolt slightly and then loosen the adjusting nut (15mm if I remember correctly).

[sw_mi_xj]

My 96 is the same as the last picture you posted. Loosen the idler pulley bolt slightly and then loosen the adjusting nut (15mm if I remember correctly).


agreed , the first two pics are pre 96 ( notice the fuel return line )
last pic is accurate .

[ILLXJ]

My 96 is the same as the last picture you posted. Loosen the idler pulley bolt slightly and then loosen the adjusting nut (15mm if I remember correctly).
Same here. JIM.

[xjtrailrider]

My 96' uses the pump for belt tension but came with a 29 spline 8.25, Go figure!

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I also have a 96 with PS pump belt tensioning.
I guess 96 was indeed a transition year.