wobbling crank pulley?

[rrubel]

I happened to be looking for a leak while the engine was running, and noticed that my crank pulley doesn't seem to be perfectly even. Essentially, it wobbles up and down (not back-to-front) some small amount. It's tight, and I can't easlly tell if the harmonic balancer is ALSO wobbling. Is this a cause for concern? I know that the aftermarket underdrive pulley on my Subaru looks the same and it hasn't caused any issues in about 100k of use.

Unless the crank were bent, I can't see how the HB would not be on straight, unless it's no longer balanced right. I thought with the three bolts, the crank pulley was self-centering. No?

Comments are appreciated...
Thanks.
[RICHR]

 

[jmccloud]

Wobbly Crank Pulley?

Could it be slight variations in the belt thickness making it look like the pulley is wobbling?

 

[rrubel]

I don't *think* so; I was trying to watch the part of the pulley that doesn't have the belt on it. It's possible, though. I'll look again tomorrow.
[RICHR]

 

[Ken]

It should center itself Rich. Sure it's not just the paint that gives the appearance of wobbling?

 

[Mad-Mic]

i noticed the same thing when i was over there last week but never thought anything of it.

 

[taegdh]

If you really suspect that the pulley is out of alignment/balance, get your runout dial indicator mount it up and turn the engine oveer slowly, both on the pully and the harmonic balancer. That's the only way you will know for sure!

 

[GeorgeT]

If the pulley is really moving up and down, there are three possible causes:

1. The pulley is out of round.

2. The crank shaft is not centered in the pulley, i.e. the hole is not in the center of the pulley.

3. The crank shaft is bent.

If the pulley and the hole in the center are true and the crank is in fact bent and you've had no related problems to date, I would continue to enjoy the ride and not worry about a the wobble.