Problem with crankshaft pulley/harmonic balancer

[wrenchandburn]

Hello,

I have 93 cierra s 3.3....I've had rough running problems with it,mostly under cold temperatures but the other day, after running out of gas the and getting it to a station, when I started up the engine a clanking noise began...Appeared to be one of the pulleys on the drivebelt...It's very inconsistent and is almost in-exsistant at highway cruizing but low idle it is pretty loud.

After pulling the drive belt as it needed to be replaced anyway, spun all the pulleys and didn't think anything could be causing a raquet like that except, I can turn the cranshaft pulley about a 1/2 to 3/4 turn and then stops and there's that damn distintive clank....

Thinking it was supposed to do that I wasn't sure what to do and replaced the tension pulley as it looked a bit worn with a little play within the arm shaft and the bearing hoping this would prevent the clank

I guess I'm oldschool in that the pully,balancer and crankshaft should be moving in unison...this however, seems to have a clutch-type mechanism that isn't right....What do I need to replace?

I can't find any information about the pully/balancer parts...Are they all one part? If so, does my condition sound normal? My damn manual makes no mention of it....

Thanks for any help you can provide,

Wrenchandburn

When you wrench in AZ, You get burnt by anything metal...I love working on cars here

[wrenchandburn]

Hello, I know I'm really desperate here but If you have any knowledge on my problem, Please Share! I have to get this taken care of Very soon.

Thanks again,
Wrenchandburn

[GTP Dad]

It sounds like the harmonic balancer is bad and needs replaced. You are right everything should move in unison and it appears that the rubber between the two rings has gone bad. Remove it and replace it, that should cure the problem.