Uh Oh; wobbling main pulley
 

Hey guys, I noticed the main pulley wobbling slightly on my 8 a while back and wasn't sure what to make of it, so I researched and came up with a few different answers. * The belts could be too tight, I adjusted them and while they're tight I can get about a half turn out of them. * Stack assembly installed incorrectly, from what I know this engine was a Mazda reman and has about 24k miles on her. * Bearing failure, Not sure how this happens as I am still researching.

I'm not sure how long its been doing this but it has for quite some time now. I can't say for certain but i don't recall seeing the pulley wobble at idle when I purchased the car last august. I'm pretty nervous and not sure where to go from here. My mechanical skills are very poor unfortunately for me. The car runs extremely well other than a sticking solenoid (p0661) which I'm replacing Monday as soon as my mech can get to it.

I haven't gotten a compression test for this car at all ( I know, very very ignorant on my behalf, I did not research enough before I bought the car ). Other things I have noticed is the pulley wobble is not rediculous imo but there is enough to notice. When the engine is revved the wobble is completely gone. My mechanic pointed out a nice 1" width dent on the main pulley and said it appears it was bent a little with a crow bar/ pry bar by the installer of this engine.

This is just his assumption which makes sense to me. I'm kind of at a loss as of what to do. I'll take any advice I can get. I hope its something simple, a new engine I can definitely not afford at this time and the car is my dd. I don't have any other vehicles :(. Thanks in advance for all the responses I get whether they be flaming or good advice. I can take the good with the bad.

Dmav

did you check the bolts? there is a big 19mm holding the pulley assembly to the engine, and then 4 10mm bolts holding the pulley assembly together

I haven't . unfortunately I lack a large amount of tools :-/ I will have my mech take a look. I will report back

Might just have to replace the pulleys. Shouldn't be too bad if that's the case.

It appears the hub is wobbling , remove the belt and try to move the pulley-hub by hand.

Will do that. I'm guessing hub wobble is very bad? :tear:

well it could be some like the belt pulley being loose, which is harmless. or it could be the whole pulley being loose, which can turn bad, but you need to check to see which it is

This topic has been beaten to death lately,

Its one of the following

Belts to tight
Bad Stack
E-shaft Balance issue

If its not the belts it requires at the very least the front plat and iron to be removed ( not an easy job)

I'll get it checked out asap. Hopefully its nothing major. :( unfortunately aside from Mazda the only authentic rotary tech is about 54 miles one way.

I have a spare pulley and teeth, if its just that I can ship it to you, just pay shipping.

That would be fantastic! Thanks hesselrode!! Just shoot me a pm with PayPal!

whats your address so I can figure out the shipping cost.

I already have it packaged.

Contents:
2 pulleys
eccentric shaft sensor teeth gear

Its very easy to remove and replace. I have included the four bolts may you break one and all the pulleys and gear only fit one way. The screws are holding it together they way that it fits. It will ship out Saturday if we can get this together quick enough.

Tried shooting you a pm but your inbox is full :(

Try now. Also, I wouldn't pay someone to replace those pulleys, its super easy. But not trying to pressure you, just wanted you to know. All you need to do is loosen the belt which takes two bolts and remove the pulley.

I lack tools :(

I need to invest in a mechanic set, jack, and stands owning this car. I believe I can work on the car. Just lack the confidence. I'm afraid I'll break stuff.

For this you would only need two combination wrenches or erection wrenches, the 19mm and the 10mm.

I like the erection wrench a little more than the combination ones, as I can put a pipe on it to use as a breaker bar. But of course that's just a preference.

Update.

Haven't had time to f with this still. But I did notice something. My car is in need of engine mounts so it has a slight vibration in drive while not moving. However with the air on it gets worse. While in park and the ac on the pulley does not wobble at all. Not sure what to make of this. Any ideas?

Could probably just be the mounts. The reason it may not do it with ac on is the ac created tension which hold the engine more steady. Only reason I could think. Engine mounts are very easy to replace with basic tools. I would get some aftermarket ones if I were going to buy new.

I changed the oil yesterday for the first time since I made this thread. There are no metal shavings (thank god) I'm thinking and hoping I just have a bent pulley. The engine runs smooth as butter.

As soon as I find out I'll update. I have no idea when that will be though. Work is priority #1 and I'm here a lot.

can you reach down with your hand and see if the pulley is loose?

Yea its pretty firm. It won't wiggle with force. I haven't tried with the belts off yet. However while changing my oil, my cousin noticed my belts were "tight as F***" according to him. He has a lot more mechanical experience than I do by far. However hes not familiar with The 13b. I haven't had the time to take the car to get it worked on yet. Sucks because I really want to know for sure what's going on with it.

Update

I had 3 pullies replaced with rotary fx underdrive pullies. Wobble is still there smh :(

What would be the logical thing to do here, get the problem fixed by tearing the engine apart or just rebuild the whole thing? The engine has 33000 miles on it currently and runs really well. This totally blows as to why/how this happened. My choice was to save and continue to drive it because its my dd. If this is bad idea because it could cause further damage then i wont. This car is my dd though and i have no more available vehicles.