Crankshaft Pulley replacement & repair made easy

The crankshaft pulley in its basic form are solid cast steel items that do not require any maintenance, nor are likely to require replacing.

A crankshaft damper pulley on the other hand is slightly different as it has a rubber element to it which acts to reduce engine vibration and is therefore also known as a harmonic balancer. Its essential function is reducing the amount of vibrations the crankshaft generates at certain speeds and preventing the resulting stress from breaking the crankshaft.

Both versions provide the driving force, via the auxiliary belt to power the engines ancillary components such as the alternator and power steering pump etc.

• Mechanic will check the condition of the crankshaft damper.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the crankshaft damper.
• Mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will test drive the car and check everything works properly.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a crankshaft pulley replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• When there is an uncommon noise coming from the engine bay.
• When, under accelerating, there is an increasingly louder noise coming from the engine.
• When the engine vibrates more than usual whilst driving.

On average, crankshaft pulley replacement times can range from 1 hour to over 1.5 hours with an average of around 1 hours. The time that the job takes will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Generally the crankshaft damper pulley can list the lifetime of the vehicle, wear and tear does occur so occasionally one may require replacement. Inside the crankshaft damper unit especially the rubber element is prone to deterioration due to being exposed to continuously changing conditions. If not addressed it can fail at a certain point and potentially lead to further more severe engine problems.

Should you experience problems like those noted earlier then it is important to have the crankshaft damper inspected and, if necessary, have it replaced.

If you suspect there is any issue with your crankshaft pulley or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic immediate effect and do not drive the vehicle. Driving with a faulty crankshaft pulley is not advisable as it can lead to lead further complications on your vehicle and potentially engine damage.

A crankshaft pulley is generally only replaced when it is faulty, there is no set replacement interval. If you experience an issue with the crankshaft pulley and are not sure whether it needs replacing then it is advisable to get help from a professional mechanic. They can identify exactly which part is at fault and advise on next steps.

The crankshaft consists of two main elements; a metal mass element that reduces the acceleration of the vibrations and a rubber element that absorbs the vibrations. Over time the part can deteriorate leading to a crankshaft pulley failure.

Although a crankshaft pulley in itself is not a car part that is checked during an MOT, a failing crankshaft pulley can result in excessive vibration of the engine, and in severe cases the engine can stall or misfire. Since the crankshaft pulley drives various belts in an engine, it is critical to get it fixed prior to an MOT test to avoid risking an MOT failure.

The crankshaft pulley and its associated components are subject to constant tension and high temperatures which can cause it to deteriorate over time and ultimately fail.
Another cause of a the crankshaft pulley breaking is a loss of tension in the belt that drives the pulley, or an impact to the pulley that exceeds its design limits.

A crankshaft pulley is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, however, in some cases it can unexpectedly break or fail especially due to issues accelerated wear and tear issues.