[9mmkungfu]

I got the tell-tale signs of the popular crank pulley failure, but everything works normally with the AC off.

When starting the AC, the AC pulley refuses to spin, and locks up/freezes, along with the crank pulley. This is accompanied by a burnt rubber smell from the belt.

With all the talk about crank pulley failures, I'm not sure if it's the crank pulley that has the issue, or the AC compressor frozen.

Thoughts?

The car seems to run fine with the AC off.

[mcmahand]

Bad news is yours has failed.

[9mmkungfu]

Yup, just took the time to read through all 12 pages of the mega thread. Lol. Definitely seems like another failed crank pulley. I'll add myself to the list once I get all the parts on the way and get it fixed.

[Torqu3]

It's absolutely your crank pulley/vibration dampener/harmonic balancer. Mine did the exact same thing. If I had the AC off then everything would work, but the minute you turned the AC on everything would fail. It's because the AC belt puts extra strain on the balancer, causing it to no longer spin.

[OmahaDZL]

Originally Posted by Torqu3

It's absolutely your crank pulley/vibration dampener/harmonic balancer. Mine did the exact same thing. If I had the AC off then everything would work, but the minute you turned the AC on everything would fail. It's because the AC belt puts extra strain on the balancer, causing it to no longer spin.

The more I think about this manifestation of the failure, the more I think this does make sense....but Id be willing to bet that even though its turning all the accessories now, that wont last long as the crank wears away the rubber....

It seems that there is enough rubber and enough grip just in friction alone (as the hub has actually separated from the pulley) to turn everything but the AC.... its interesting, I wonder how long you could go that way, without the AC on...before it wouldnt turn anything...

[OmahaDZL]

Originally Posted by 9mmkungfu

This is accompanied by a burnt rubber smell from the belt.

Also...its not the belt thats making the burnt rubber smell...its the body of the crank shaft pulley being rubbed by the spinning crank

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by OmahaDZL

The more I think about this manifestation of the failure, the more I think this does make sense....but Id be willing to bet that even though its turning all the accessories now, that wont last long as the crank wears away the rubber....

It seems that there is enough rubber and enough grip just in friction alone (as the hub has actually separated from the pulley) to turn everything but the AC.... its interesting, I wonder how long you could go that way, without the AC on...before it wouldnt turn anything...

Not very long. I limped 5 miles to the local shop and was extremely close to overheating because my water pump wasn't being spun. When we opened the hood, I was able to leave a finger print in my windshield washer reservoir cap because it had gotten so hot under there. When the pulley fails, you have a few miles of limping with no AC, no lights, and no radio before you're dead in the water. You're also risking a lot of damage to your engine by letting it get WAY too hot. Don't make my mistakes.

[9mmkungfu]

Yeah, I am able to drive so far without issues, but know that 100% failure is inevitable. Parts have been ordered from FCP Euro, but in the meantime, I'm not going to drive it. I guess I was just doing it more for an experiment than anything.

OmahaDZL, you're right. It is indeed the rubber from the pulley making the smell. The belts actually look to be in great shape, but they'll be replaced anyway of course.

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by 9mmkungfu

Yeah, I am able to drive so far without issues, but know that 100% failure is inevitable. Parts have been ordered from FCP Euro, but in the meantime, I'm not going to drive it. I guess I was just doing it more for an experiment than anything.

OmahaDZL, you're right. It is indeed the rubber from the pulley making the smell. The belts actually look to be in great shape, but they'll be replaced anyway of course.

Yeah, the smell is from the rubber on the pulley. I'm not sure if "driving without issues" is true. Can you monitor coolant temps? I feel like they're going well over 90C.

[OmahaDZL]

Originally Posted by Torqu3

Yeah, the smell is from the rubber on the pulley. I'm not sure if "driving without issues" is true. Can you monitor coolant temps? I feel like they're going well over 90C.

When mine bit it, I didnt get it towed, I drove it back home slowly, with a stop in the middle of a 20 min drive... but I did monitor temps and they were okay.... but the car didnt start hot either...

[Hoooper]

Easiest way to tell, for anyone reading this who might experience the same thing, is to look at the outer metal ring of the crank pulley. If that stops spinning when you turn a/c on its the crank pulley. If that keeps spinning, its something else.

[9mmkungfu]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

Easiest way to tell, for anyone reading this who might experience the same thing, is to look at the outer metal ring of the crank pulley. If that stops spinning when you turn a/c on its the crank pulley. If that keeps spinning, its something else.

Thanks Hoooper. Yeah, that's exactly what happens with mine. I guess I was just wondering if there would be a possibility of the AC compressor clutch being frozen / locked up, causing that. But with all of the crank pulley failures on these, I highly doubt it. I should have it fixed tomorrow with a Febi replacement.

[Asonchadwick]

Man i hope fluidamper gets the damper done soon. Sometime i hear a bad squeel when i turn on the ac but the belt looks fine...grrrrr

[9mmkungfu]

Originally Posted by Tucson335d

Man i hope fluidamper gets the damper done soon. Sometime i hear a bad squeel when i turn on the ac but the belt looks fine...grrrrr

That was the first warning sign for mine. A day later, steering was heavy and the burnt rubber smell. The pulley was toast when it got replaced. You could spin it around on the shaft with your hand.

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by Tucson335d

Man i hope fluidamper gets the damper done soon. Sometime i hear a bad squeel when i turn on the ac but the belt looks fine...grrrrr

That's probably the belt, that's a common issue on this car. Mine did the same and when I replaced the belt it looked fine

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by Tucson335d

Man i hope fluidamper gets the damper done soon. Sometime i hear a bad squeel when i turn on the ac but the belt looks fine...grrrrr

Yeah. If you take a peak at the Harmonic balancer DIY, I posted a link to a Service Bulletin calling for a shorter AC belt. I had the problem after my balancer was replaced. Changed the belt and it was smooth sailing.