2006 MCS convertible. I am getting a chirping noise coming from the belt drive for the first few minutes after starting the engine when cold. Then it goes away. I have 90% narrowed it down to the crank shaft pulley. At first I thought it may have been the belt. It was original and due to be changed so I went for it... nothing. Then the idler pulley wasn't spinning smooth by hand. It was cheap enough so I figure I take a chance and change it. That wasn't it.

I order most of my car parts from rockauto (they're the only ones that don't seem to gouge Canadians on shipping) They list two products under harmonic balancers. One seems to be the entire unit, and the other is pulley only (at 1/3 the price). How do I know which I need? All the videos I have seen on replacement seems to suggest that it is one functional unit. Any way for me to test it before I go ahead and order?

 

If I were you, I would order a Super Damper from WMW. From all I've heard, this will be much better for your car.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/super-d...ulley-r53.html

 

I would recommend either the ATI Superdamper or one of the fluid style dampers. Myself I went with the ATI as I wanted to make sure I didn't have the stock go out on me randomly after the first time it happened to me. For me the added cost was worth the peace of mind.

 

Thanks so much for the responses. How can I test it to make sure it is really the culprit? It doesn't wobble when spinning, and I can't really spin it by hand. I remember something about there being rubber in there that can break down. Should I remove it first to inspect it? I don't mind swapping out a 15-20 dollar pulley for ***** and giggles but these seem to be quite a bit more expensive.

 

Doesn't ship to Canada.

 

Spinning at idle or at speed?
When mine failed it was as the engine was getting gas and starting from a stop. Looking back had I known before hand what the symptoms were I would have replaced it right away. When mine went it killed the CV shaft, bounced off the oil housing, and came to rest. Everything that made contact had to be fixed and/or replaced.

If its worrying you then replace it. If you go stock just plan on it going out again. I would suggest going with the aftermarket damper of your choice.

 

I don't know where the OP is located. If he is in Canada, there might be a supplier there.

 

I have this one on mine. Much cheaper than the ATI and seems to work very well.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/fluid-c...ulley-r53.html

I know WMW doesn't ship to Canada but posted link for example.

Also I replaced my tensioner and idler pulley and still when it's damp outside the belt is noisy.

 

It's a $90 difference. I don't know what that equates to in the real world but I'm hoping it means the ATI will last longer.

 

I went with the ATI as it seems that it is the most commonly used and most recommended on the forums. Yes it is the more expensive but I felt it eas worth it.

 

FYI WMW also hides their website from non-US locations so unless an IP redirect is used that link can't be used even for reference.

 

Fizzyx is right. I was wondering why all the links posted here for WMW didn't work for me. You can't access the site at all from Canada. When I tried with a VPN it worked. What a dumb business . I own a vacation property in Florida and was going to have stuff delivered there for the next time I went down. I guess they don't want my money.

 

I'm sure if you were to email him, you could probably work something out. Way has his reasons for why it's like this. You may not agree with them, but they are valid and justified to him.

 

I have another question. Would the crankshaft pulley make noise with the belt off. I tried it out, pretty quiet without the belt.

 

As it wouldn't have any pressure on it from the belt it should be quiet. If you have the belt off you can look to see if your pulley has made contact with the block. It will be shiny from the contact. Also don't run the engine long and when its preferably cold as the water pump doesn't work with the belt off.

 

I don`t see the connection between the main pulley and the chirping sound.

Those pulleys are known to be failure prone, true, but how would tha be related with the chirping?
Very interested because I am going crazy with the damn chirping noise too.... New tensioner, new belt, new crank pulley (it failed) and still chirps o.o

 

Did you change the Idler pulley?

 

I remember watching some youtube video (from Dayco I think) where they were saying that belt chirp was usually caused by pulley misalignment. I figured that the crankshaft pulley is the only one that can get "misaligned" as it wears (and my chirp seemed to be coming from that general vicinity). But hey, what do I know, I'm grasping at straws here.