Jumping Belts and Crank Pulley

[TooFarPast]

This thread is about my power steering belt, my alternator belt and the harmonic balancer (a.k.a. ---> Crank Pulley).

For some reason, my crankshaft pulley doesn't line up with the rest of the pullies on the rest of the car (and yes it's the right pulley). The crankshaft pulley sticks out about 1/2 cm more towards the tire than the rest of the pullies (alternator, power steering, ac), which can make a considerable difference and it's because of that, my belts either A) jump ribs or B) just fall off.

I don't understand this at all and looked into it. When I step on the gas hardcore (just as a test for the belts) it causes the belts to jump, I thought it was due to the movement of the motor but everything else is attached to the motor so I don't see the issue there.

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So from the image that I've created, the belts slightly bend out to the left when going to the balancer due to it being out so far.

But then you may ask "Just tighten the crankshaft bolt some more" --> I've done that, and if I go any farther, I will probably just break something.

Does anyone see the problem? Do I need a new harmonic balancer? I just have no clue why it's not lining up. Can I put spacers on the rest of the pullies (alternator, AC, PS) and still have them function right?

I'm all out of clues, I've replaced the PS belt lately twice, and the alternator belt just snapped (I think it was too tight hmm).

 

[oldman]

Yes you need a new harmonic balancer, the outter ring has seperated from the inner, a very common dsm problem.

 

[TooFarPast]

Thanks for the advice.

I did a Timing Belt job 1 month ago and took off my harmonic balancer, I didn't notice any separation and this problem existed well before that.

 

[boosted_91_tsi]

At any time recently have you removed any of the pullies and reinstalled them?

 

[TooFarPast]

Removed any pullies themselves? Nope.

 

[boosted_91_tsi]

Just saw you post there..... Make sure you mounted the water pump pullies up right. If the outer one is backwards then it will be off by about 1/2 cm. to the crank.

 

[TooFarPast]

My waterpump pulley runs off my timing belt which is in no position that I can see that can have any affect on how the crank pulley is being positioned and affected the rest AC/PS/Alternator pullies

 

[TooFarPast]

Furthermore, I just put my car up, took off the wheel and the inner splash guards and studied the issue even more. Here's what I found:

- The alternator doesn't even in the slightest way line up with the crank pulley, in other words, the crankshaft pulley is out far (1 cm)

- I turned on the car while under it and saw that the pulley has some movement and vibration, not just from the engine.


I remember when we had trouble taking off the crankshaft pulley, that it could of been bent slightly from too much pressure (before we found the right pulley, we pushed on the inside and grabbed from the outside with claws (oops!)), that and when putting the bolt back into the crankshaft, it looked as if it was a little bent, and not straight on, I didn't think this would be too big of a worry.

----------------------

So new theory:

My (slightly) bent bolt, caused my crankshaft pulley (which could of possibly been a little bent outwards (because of the pulling)) to be off course with everything, in the event, I have to get A) a new crankshaft bolt and B) a new crankshaft pulley.

Your thoughts.

 

[boosted_91_tsi]

Makes sense to me. I didn't know you removed the crank pulley itself. But that does sound like the problem. Sounds like a fairly easy fix. Keep us posted. Good luck.

 

[TooFarPast]

Haha, if this doesn't work, I'll just put the belts back on and sell it. I've done so much to this car and maintain it very well since I've owned it and have only been bittin in the ass everytime I think everything's taking care of. I mean.. hey it runs smoothly though, I'll admit that.

I'm suppose to get some huge backpay check though soon, maybe I should just keep the car, buy a broken down p.o.s. AWD Turbo DSM with a blown engine, spend the $$ to rebuild it with strong internals and a bigger turbo, fuel system etc and hope that survives, or maybe I'll just end up with another car that's breaking down again, I don't see any reassurance.

 

[boosted_91_tsi]

Haha, no matter how hard you try you can't break free of the DSMs.