Crankshaft pully cracked

[gontix]

Started my engine today to find it rattling with loudest rattle at idle. Had a look in there and found a large crack in my crankshaft pully.
I've never taken my drive belt or crankshaft pully off. Is this a big job and should it fix my rattle? and how much is a second hand crankshaft pully worth?

[hakhawk]

dont bother with second hand, i think a new pulley(aka. harmonic balancer) is about $90 from memory.

[gontix]

So is it a big job? Is it easy to pull it all off? Does the crank turn when you undo the bolt?

[black as]

The main bolt that holds the pulley on can be easy but at the same time can be stubborn as well. If its hard a little trick is to use a breaker bar with the socket at the end of course and tuck it under the cross member and crank the engine over just a smiggen and this will crack the nut loose. Then you will need an harmonic balance puller, you can hire these for a few dollars to get the pulley off.
A suggestion is buy a new one and change the seal while you do it. Apply some grease on the shaft when you refit so you don't bugger up your new balancer and seal.

GOOD LUCK

[Cheap6]

Also, clean the old sealant from the keyway groove in the pulley and crank and apply a small amount of silicon sealant (such as Permatex Ultra-Blue) when you reinstall the balancer/pulley. (In case it's not obvious, the key/keyway means that you have to line the pulley up before fitting it.)

Undoing the bolt is easy. Re-tensioning it is not. There are slots in the balancer that are meant to be used with a tool to hold the pulley against the chassis rail. Some ingenuity and about 15 mins with a drill, a file, a hacksaw, some 8mm steel plate/bar (~50mm X 600mm) and 8mm dia. bolts and nuts should have something suitable made.

[gontix]

Thanks guys. I heard from someone that this bolt needs to be undun clockwise (ie, opposite to normal). Is this true? and who would hire out the tools for the job?

[jas98]

dont bother with second hand, i think a new pulley(aka. harmonic balancer) is about $90 from memory.

yeh just go to supercheap as there 80 Bucks ....i have one for me VS ready to go on when need to

[gontix]

Ok so I've gone to Repco, supercheap, sprints, motortraders, etc... Cheapest I can find is a wooping $170. Were are these cheaper units you guys are talkin about?? $50 from wreckers.

[jas98]

hmm well where i am super cheap are and have been selling them for 80 for a while now...must be old stock.....as there is 2 supercheaps here and there like 30 k's away from one another

[Cheap6]

Thanks guys. I heard from someone that this bolt needs to be undun clockwise (ie, opposite to normal). Is this true? and who would hire out the tools for the job?

No, it's a normal (?) bolt i.e. undo by turning anti-clockwise. Sorry, can't help with the hiring.