Driving home today I lost all power accelerating from a stop light and the battery, DSC and check engine light came one with a reduction in power.

I can rev it in nuetral but on the go it will not go past 2000 RPM.

I had it towed home - AAA is well worth it.

After it cooled down I started it up and the lights are all off but I can hear a clicking noise.

Turn the A/C on and I notice the A/C belt would randomly stop and causing the belt to stop moving for a moment and the battery/check engine light are illuminated.

Car has 94,000 miles.

Would it be the A/C compressor seizing or the crank pulley?

Thanks !

 

My guess is your crank pulley bought the farm, very common. ATI is the best replacement, another less expensive choice is the fluidampr.

 

Ok, I will check for play in the crank pulley too.

I was thinking it was the A/C compresor seizing since the pulley for it would randomly stop moving and would cause the belt to stop for a moment when I turned the A/C on.

Thanks !

 

Sounds like it's time for an ATI Damper to replace the crank pulley.

If you're smelling rubber that is a good sign it's the crank pulley. The easiest way to check it is to pry on the pulley between the pulley and the block and if it moves more than 1/16 of an inch it's junk.

 

Remove the belt and inspect all of the pulleys.

 

ATI Pulley is my plan if the original is shot, rather replace the pulley vs. the A/C compressor.

Glad it happened the day after I got home from the family vacation on the way home from work near Bojangles.

 

Started the Mini this morning and took a close look at the crank pulley and it has a slight wobble.

Whew, glad it is something simple to replace

 

You won’t be sorry going with the ATI. That said, you should consider the tensioner and separate idler pulley while you are in there. Then you won’t have to worry about either for the next 100,000.

I am a big fan of preventive maintenance. Fix it before it bites particularly on things we know are going bad eventually.

Rich

 

I am replacing the tensioner bushings as well I've installing a tensioner stop.

Is the idler pulley a simple bolt on replacement?

Also what size bolt should I use to install the new crank pulley to get it seated so I can pick one up beforehand?

Thanks!

 

I believe this is what you'll be after:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/r50-r53...lt.html?&cat=0

 

FYI the ATI Damper comes with a longer bolt to install the new crank pulley.

And yes the Idler pulley is just a bolt on part.

 

Thanks Way.

I will add the Idler pulley to my list.

 

Took off the belt and confirmed that the crank pulley os the cause.

Inner half of the pulley spins without resistance.

Now is the hardest part after replacing the pulley is getting the new belt on?

ALso, I found a video with someone replacing the tensioner by removing the upper motor mount instead of removing the lower motor mounts and raising the motor.

 

You can do the crank damper and the pulley from the wheel well....no need to jack the motor.... Heck jacking it up unless you go a couple feet will make it harder....
Belt is simple...just compress the tensioner...and use a screwdriver or Allen wrench as a stop to keep it compressed.... The when done...route the belt...release the tension.

 

 

I just realized something this morning.

The bolt that is used to hold down the bracket with the black vacuum line and electrical connection that is disconnected to remove is the belt is the same size as the crank pulley bolt but a little bit longer.

This could be used for someone needing a longer bolt to press in the
new harmonic pulley.

 

Good news, Got the crank pulley off, both pieces.

Bad news, I somehow damaged the threads in the crank:(

Is it toast?

 

Neighbor helped out and got the threads cleaned up

 

Finished the job this morning and the Mini is back on the road.
I am glad I replaced the tensionor, the original dampner had very little pressure and the spring was weak.

Thanks for your help everyone !

 

Mini is down again, belt disappeared on the highway. Ibam having bitter sweet feelings about this car:(

 

Update-one of the bolts on the dampener was loose causing the tensioner stop to slide toward the pulley. I installed a new belt, tightened the dampener bolt and all is well after 100 miles of driving.