What Would Cause A Crank Pulley To Wobble?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If the fan-belt pulleys that bolt to the harmonic balancer are dismounted, bent, or distorted

, it may cause the crankshaft pulley to wobble. … Sometimes, some dirt may get trapped under the pulley. Furthermore, the crankshaft pulley tends to wobble if it isn’t appropriately torqued.

Can you drive with a wobbly crankshaft pulley?

So, how long can you drive with a bad idler pulley?

The safety recommendation is not to drive the car at all and take it to a mechanic immediately

. You should be concerned if the vehicle makes squeaking or rattling noises.

Is a wobbly crank pulley bad?

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.

Is it normal for a harmonic balancer to wobble?

Noticeable Harmonic Balancer Wobble

When the rubber isolator begins to deteriorate, the balancer usually begins to separate, creating a noticeable wobble when the engine is running.

How do I know if my crankshaft pulley is bad?

  1. Engine vibration. One of the first symptoms of a potential problem with the harmonic balancer is engine vibration. …
  2. Misaligned timing marks. Another symptom of a potential problem with the harmonic balancer is misaligned timing marks. …
  3. Separated harmonic balancer.

How much does it cost to replace a crankshaft pulley?

The crankshaft pulley replacement cost is

between $350 and $400

, depending on the car model and labor costs. You could spend $200 to $240 for a new crankshaft pulley, plus about $150 for labor. If you purchase an aftermarket crankshaft pulley, you could save yourself a little money.

What happens if your crankshaft pulley breaks?

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.

What are the symptoms of a broken crankshaft?

  • Your Check Engine Light is Blinking.
  • It’s Difficult to Get Your Vehicle to Start.
  • Your Vehicle is Stalling and/or Backfiring.
  • The Engine is Making Your Vehicle Vibrate.

What does a bad crankshaft sound like?


Knocking noises

coming from the engine is one of the common symptoms of a bad crankshaft bearing. Drivers usually refer to this as a rod knock which sounds like a consistent hammering that increases as the RPM does. … The said noise can be an indication of a worn crank or bearings.

Is a crankshaft pulley the same as a harmonic balancer?

A harmonic balancer is a front end accessory drive component that is connected to the crankshaft of an engine. … Harmonic balancers do have many names, though, such as damper, crankshaft pulley and crankshaft balancer, among others.

Can you drive with a bad harmonic balancer?


It’s not okay to drive with a bad harmonic balancer

. The bouncing crankshaft will wear on the main bearings. It can also tear up drive belts and possibly come apart posing a danger to people and property.

What happens if your harmonic balancer is wobbling?

When the harmonic balancer is wobbling,

it would be best not to run the engine

. The harmonic balancers function is to counteract the vibrations in the engine so damage doesn’t occur. When it fails, it can cause premature wear on the bearings, or lead to major engine damage.

What makes a harmonic balancer go bad?

Over time, the crankshaft harmonic balancer can go

bad from constant exposure to chemicals

, the elements, or from old age. If this happens, the crankshaft may develop cracks and ultimately fail.

When should I replace crankshaft pulley?

  1. The engine is loud and you feel vibrations coming from your engine.
  2. The pulley belt may slip causing your vehicle to backfire or misfire.
  3. The vehicle’s ignition timing will be off.
  4. The vehicle will not start at all.

What does a crank sensor do when bad?

The most common symptom associated with a bad or failing crankshaft position sensor is difficulty starting the vehicle. The crankshaft position sensor

monitors the position and speed of the crankshaft and other parameters that play an important role

when starting the engine.

How long does a crankshaft pulley last?

They should last

70k ish

, trouble is when you buy a new one its not a new one, its one that has been sitting on a shelf in a FGP warehouse for ten years.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.