Crank Pulley Slow Death

SiR_Chris · Post by **SiR_Chris** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 5:44 pm

So I thought I'd put this out there to understand what you guys would do in my position. My crank pulley looks like it is deteriorating (the rubber damper). This is how it currently looks on the inside:

There is a split pretty much the entire way around the circumference. This was a brand new Honda OEM pulley and I don't think this is right having done approx 2k miles (1k after full tuning) and need to think what to do now.

As far as I'm concerned here are my options:

1) Solid Aluminium Pulley (no harmonic damper). Don't like this idea as I don't like the idea of premature wear on my bearings etc. I want this engine to last a while

2) Another OEM Pulley. Not sure this will help, I doubt the new one I bought last time had defects. Can't see moving forward going this route. Then again, I can't find anyone else to have issues with a honda pulley this new....

3) Uprated aftermarket harmonic damper pulley - ATI. Sounds good, but $350 plus shipping. Link: http://www.atiracing.com/products/dampe ... mhonda.htm

First and foremost I'd like to try and understand WHY this is happening. I guess its a combination of heat, the alt (belt) restricting outer pulley section movement and just pure torque rotating the inner section faster than the rubber can keep up? Surely then the only answer is an uprated shore hardness of rubber material.

If I ran no alternator, would the same thing happen? Ie is it due more to the torque or the restriction provided by the alt and its belt

Any thoughts? Scared to drive her now incase the outer section flies off

Thanks,
Chris

Post by **4thgenphil** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:13 pm

there was a thread about this very recntly started by nccmr i think,

personally i would go solid ones but you have to do a bit of reasearch before you jump in, some say it increases wear on the crank, i think thats toss! never seen any evidence behind it.

the after market harmonic ones seems expensive, and will it even fit in your bay?!

is this an engine out job for you?

SiR_Chris · Post by **SiR_Chris** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:44 pm

Nah, can change it in the car. This is an H22 question as opposed to H2B for sure

I've read a lot about solid pulleys and I guess you make your own opinion based on what you have read (like all things), but why did Honda (and every other car manufacturer for that matter) put a harmonic damper in? It will have been cheaper and easier for them to use a solid one. Can't be for in car comfort surely?

Even so, I don't understand what is making the rubber deteriorate in the first place. I'm only at 180lb ft

Post by **4thgenphil** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:46 pm

misaligned alternator?

SiR_Chris · Post by **SiR_Chris** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:14 pm

that's one theory, but the belt is a 3rib and only one groove off the middle of both pulleys, so perfectly in line. kind of see it here

Post by **4thgenphil** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:15 pm

overtightened belt perhaps?

SiR_Chris · Post by **SiR_Chris** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:29 pm

I would say that could be a possibility but Rich done it

Post by **4thgenphil** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:42 pm

SiR_Chris wrote:I would say that could be a possibility but Rich done it

so no then

god know mate!

NCCMUR · Post by **NCCMUR** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:27 pm

If its that bad after 2k miles id get on to honda and see about a replacement for free
surely shouldnt wear that quickly!!!

SiR_Chris · Post by **SiR_Chris** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:24 pm

^its a good point. Think I got it from VTEC Direct tho not Honda directly.
Does make you think - all those H22's out there with this problem and don't know it. It's only because I have no lower cover that I can see the damage and therefore take action....