Hey Guys,

So my '02 TL-S is having an interesting problem that I'm having trouble diagnosing. I think it's the tensioner pulley wobbling in place but I'm not entirely sure. There is an audible clicking sound that I've never heard on this engine after 10 years of driving it. I also notice from the video I took that the larger(crank?) pulley at the bottom moved in and out when the engine started, taking the belt with it. Not sure if that is normal either.

Another thing to note is I had a misfire from a new coil I got from RockAuto and I put my OEM one back in and it works fine now.

The video link is if anyone wants to check it out and see if I'm missing something, thanks!
-Devin

 

I would first try tightening the crankshaft pulley. Tensioners are designed to respond to belt tension. They have enough force to keep the belt tight, but it's possible that a loose pulley exerts enough force to overcome the force of the tensioner.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you how to tighten the CSP, as I don't know how to do that, myself.

 

UPDATE: I managed to remove the tensioner (extremely difficult to get to the bolts) and found the topmost bolt that's located behind the dipstick tube was very loose. I installed the new tensioner anyway since I had it and low and behold the tensioner is rock solid. I also replaced the serpentine belt. There is still that annoying noise so I'm not sure if it's the timing belt or not.

 

May indeed be the timing belt tensioner...take a look at this video...

 

TBH, it's likely the tensioner was due, anyway, as those are typically never serviced.

 

I went back and just noticed that in the video...the belt moves away from the engine down below near the crank pulley.

Is the crank pulley bolt tightened properly?

The pulley is also harmonically balanced using a rubber compound; is that still intact?

 

@whitetiger5 The crank pulley grooved ring that the belt goes around is separated from the pulley itself, is that normal? The pulley itself isn't loose though.

 

I checked another video I found on and his 01 TL had the exact same thing happen. The harmonic balancer has detached. Mine is partially detached. I'm already scheduled for a replacement next week as I don't feel comfortable doing this myself.

 

Update:

I took my TL to my local shop and while they were replacing the crank pulley they suggested that we also do the full timing belt kit. It's expensive($1700 for the kit plus the crank pulley with labor) but I don't think it had been done at the 105k mark and definitely had not been done since I bought it in 2011 at 111k miles. Hopefully, all is well after this!