how to tell a hubby he's a doof, Idler pulley issues

[slarps]

Hey guys

I hoping you might be able to help me convince my hubby that he is a doof..... i don't know heaps about cars, but i know enough to get my self out of trouble and home to 'the Expert" (the hubby)

long story short, replaced the lower flat idler pulley the other day and i thought there was a "washer" that came off the original, but he can't see to make it fit and doesn't think it belongs.

now that i've driven the car a good 20k's it has oozed out blue looking waxy type stuff.. see photo

so.... do i need to get another new pulley and convince him to find a way to make the washer thingo work??? Am I right in thinking this pulley had a washer??? or is it just a faulty pulley...

thanks for your help and i promise i'll be a nice wife when he's fixed it for me

[vsl67]

The bolt should have a seperate factory washer or a washer thats part of the bolt head that covers the bearing depending on which pulley that is ,I doubt that is even the original bolt in the picture and since its a steel pulley you can knock out the bearing and replace it they cost about $7

[VSPantha]

I replaced my idler pulley a few months ago... the washer was on the nut head from memory. As for replacing the bearing... the one I bought from Holden had a sealed bearing in it... didn't look like it came out.
When you put in the new one, was everything in alignment (i.e. belts etc)? I've not seen a bearing splooge out goo like that before. Is it making any noise or hard to turn now?
If it's a new pulley, I'd take it back to where you bought it from and find out if it is faulty or not.

[hako]

That blue stuff looks more like blue Permatex rather than grease from the bearing which is usually a neutral colour - did the old man use sealant when installing?

[slarps]

Hey Guys

thanks for the help, looks like its not a hubby being a doof issues, so i promise i'll make it up to him....

looks like maybe it was over goo'ed it??? cos it is still running ok, just getting a bit hot, but i've been told that if the pulley had an issue it would be noisy then die, but that shouldn't affect the overheating issues... damn my paranoid pregnant brain

well i guess this time we try doing the thermostat, its the only part we haven't replaced after i lost the belt and cracked the raditor

Grrrr damn cars....... thanks again