eyefixem

Hello, I have a 2001 Accord with 2.3 cal and auto trans. Theres 123k on the car with the last timing belt change approx 9000 miles ago by a Honda dealer. Last week while driving home the motor was making terrible noise but I made it home. I checked the next day and it kicked both belts off pulleys. A quick evaluation I saw the crankshaft pulley wiggled by hand. I thought crankshaft bolt had back out. Today I pulled left front wheel and skirting only to see that the bolt was tight but pulley wiggled all over. I removed the bolt and the pulley (harmonic balancer) had the inside splines half wiped out and the keyway damaged but still in there. My question is......does anyone know for sure if the end of the crankshaft is smooth or does it have splines also????? It appears its outside is smooth and just pulley splined. I ordered a new harmonic balancer and bolt. Im just worried if its NOT supposed to be small then Im probably looking at an engine removal.

Thanks for your help guys!
Rick
Pittsburgh, PA

holmesnmanny

well the outside of the pulley of course is smooth but the inside will have small splines with a keyway

do yourself a favor and get a key too...it doesn't sound like you did

the key probably came apart or the pulley itself fell apart..which isn't that uncommon

tim73

As long as the keyway is in good shape, as long as the bolt threads. Youre probably ok just to replace the balancer and key. Might even be able to get a used one from teh junk yard, return that new one...save a little $.

eyefixem

Thanks guys for the quick responses. I looked the end of crankshaft over with 10x magnifier and it didn't appear to have been splined because I saw no metal galling or anything. I did order a new keyway along with the pulley/balancer. Im not sure what caused it because the bolt was still tight. Anyhow.....I bought the socket and am just waiting parts to arrive. Many thanks again, these forums are absolutely invaluable to all of us! Have a great Memorial Day weekend! Rick.