I have an issue with my Power Steering Pump/Water Pump belt squealing. I troubleshot it to the Power Steering Pump having more than 1/16" play at the pulley moving the shaft in and out. See below YouTube video. I've been in contact with David Boger at EverydayXJ (my go-to guy for parts) and even in his inventory all of his used PS pumps have some play. Maybe not as much as mine, but slight play nonetheless - and maybe this is normal. Just wondering what all you Jaguar aficionados have to say about your PS Pump. Any play on the car?

 

I don't think the power steering pump is at fault with that much end play.
Squealing from belts normally denotes belt slippage. This can be from excessive load on the belt or the belt not tight enough. Try checking the belt tension
It might be worthwhile getting some anti slip compound onto the belt. I can't recommend any proprietry brands as I am not in the USA.
Treacle or sugar syrup also works as an anti slip agent

 

I actually have used belt anti-slip, and yes it very much helped. Didn't exactly think that was a remedy though. Just a quick fix - expecting the squealing to come back at some point. And to your suggestion of possible excessive load on the pump - that is a thought also. That drive belt goes around the crank shaft pulley, of course and the water pump and the power steering pump, with the idler pulley in-between the PS pump and the water pump. I doubt the water pump is binding at all. It's just a hard impeller spinning inside the housing. And it's not the idler pulley as that's new. So that only leaves the PS pump with all its inner workings with vanes and rotary valve spinning action to be suspect. And indeed it may be. To be continued....

And a big thank you to David Boger of EverydayXJ for all his help in troubleshooting this, with numerous emails back and forth. Can't say enough good about him over the years I've owned this finicky piece of fabulous machinery.

 

Way back i earned a couple of thiongs about V belts.

1. Belt dressing works for a tie. but, the liwuid degrades the fbric and failure takes place.

2. Rub thre belt carefully as it turns with a br of hand sap. stops the squeal. no damage.

3. The sheave s worn and the belt no longer fits the V!!

Carl