QA

How To Change Crankshaft Pulley

Is it easy to replace a crankshaft pulley?

The cost of a crankshaft replacement is a lot more than getting a new crankshaft pulley! While you can check the crank pulley yourself, getting to it is not easy since it must be removed completely to be inspected from both sides. For this, you will need a special crankshaft pulley tool, called a puller.

How is a crankshaft pulley removed?

A crankshaft pulley bolt is a normal thread; counterclockwise loosens the bolt. In removing the crankshaft pulley, the engine turns towards the opposite side against the removal direction of the bolt to ensure that it will not back out.

How do I know if my crankshaft pulley is bad?

The most common symptoms of a bad crankshaft pulley are engine vibration and irregular engine idle. It may also result in a damaged alternator, power steering pump, or a failed transmission if you are unlucky.

How do you remove a crank pulley without a puller?

There is a way to do it. You put a wrench on the pulley bolt and block the other end against the floor or the frame. Then you use the starter motor to turn the engine (DO NOT START IT, JUST TURN IT) for at most one or two revolutions of the crank. Just enough to break the bolt loose.

How do you fix a wobbly crankshaft pulley?

All you need to do is to remove all the belts which are driven by the crankshaft pulley. Later on, you can see if there are any loose bolts. It’s better to tighten all the bolts to be sure. Furthermore, remove the large bolt using a strap wrench to check the damages on the crankshaft itself.

How long does it take to replace a crankshaft pulley?

A typical crankshaft pulley replacement usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours. While not a complicated process for an experienced mechanic, there are factors with specific models that make access or replacement trickier than others.

Can you drive a car with a bad crankshaft pulley?

No. Why not? You can throw a belt which could be on a older car. Power steering, alternator (possibly ruining it or the battery) or water pump the one that can and will ruin the engine if driven very long because of overheating.

How much does a pulley cost to fix?

It will cost between $125 and $380 to have your pulley replaced. The labor should cost between $45 and $155 and the parts should cost between $85 and $225.

What can I use instead of a crank puller?

You can also pry the threads out or remove them by slowly threading the bolt, depending on the crank arm type of your bicycle. Use a bolt or a spanner tool to remove and loosen the washers.

How do you remove a pulley from a keyed shaft?

To tighten the screw at the end of the gear puller, use the sockets wrench. Continue until the pulley is free. You can try to loosen the pulley by hitting the exposed end with a hammer.

What is the crankshaft pulley attached to?

A crankshaft pulley, also called a harmonic balance wheel or crankshaft sheave, is a grooved, wheel-shaped device that connects directly to the vehicle’s crankshaft. The crankshaft essentially converts the linear, or straight, movement of pistons into a rotational motion.

Should the crank pulley wobble?

The crank pulley is pretty vital and affects the smoothness of the engine. If its wobbling then its bad. You may get away for years running it this way, or it may damage the main bearings.

Does a crankshaft pulley spin freely?

The camshaft and crankshaft pulleys are directly attached to the engine (camshaft and crankshaft) and will only rotate if the engine is running or manually rotating the engine by placing a socket and breaker bar to the crankshaft pulley bolt. If you were able to rotate them bare handed, THEN you would have a problem.

What happens when crankshaft pulley fails?

When a crankshaft pulley fails (or the timing belt due to a badly maintained crankshaft pulley), the timing of the engine is completely thrown off. Even a rotation or movement of a few millimetres can start to cause problems in a system so precise.

Where is crankshaft pulley located?

Generally, it can be found on the engine compartment’s left side or the driver’s side. Other times, it may be hiding at the bottom front portion of the engine.

How much does a crankshaft replacement cost?

The average cost for a crankshaft repair is between $50 and $105. Labor costs are estimated between $130 and $165 while new crankshaft are priced between $150 and more $250. The following pricelist is shown the middle price of items that sell frequently.

What is the difference between a crankshaft pulley and a harmonic balancer?

Similar they are both Front Crankshaft Lower Pulleys but a Harmonic Balacer has a Rubber insert damper and is weighted to help cancel out Engine vibration whereas a normal Crankshaft pulley is just a solid steel pulley.

Does a bad harmonic balancer make noise?

A faulty balancer can result in a knocking, rattling, or squeaking sound that corresponds with engine speed. Also, a balancer that’s beginning to fail can cause abnormal movement from the drive belt or automatic drive belt tensioner, resulting in clicking or squealing noises when the engine is running.

Will a car run without a pulley?

The short answer is yes, your car will start even if the serpentine belt is broken or missing. To get the car going, the battery sends power to your starter motor. The starter motor provides enough power to get your engine moving and the combustion process started.