Is this too much wobble / play in serp/drive belt pulley area?

[apollo18]

Hey all, first and foremost I really appreciate the help and I hope everybody a happy holidays. I have a 2014 Acura RDX, recently purchased used 120,000 miles

It’s got the Honda 3.5 v6 j35 engine in it

I had the timing belt service done at Honda last week, not exactly sure what they replaced but they said they did what needed to be done. They also gave me a free multi point inspection, nothing really showed there. Today I was just doing stuff in my engine bay with the engine on. And I noticed a wobble coming from the pulley area.

I am wondering if the wobble is normal or if it’s too much? I am Hoping it is within limits since Honda told me everything was fine with the vehicle


I don’t know if the video shows it as proper as the eye but it kinda shakes / wobbles but maybe that’s normal play

https://files.catbox.moe/v95xw4.MOV

Video


Thanks

 

[Rand]

Waiting for a video...

 

[apollo18]

Waiting for a video...

https://files.catbox.moe/v95xw4.MOV

Ty

 

[dubber09]

There should be no wobble, pulleys and idlers bearings wear out, just pull belt off, check them all for play including tensioner, check belt too, replace anything questionable. They should be fairly easy to replace.

Edit: just saw the video, if there is no play in bearing then this little wobble is ok.

 

[Jetronic]

there's a rubber insert in that harmonic balancer, I think that's going out. take some chalk, draw a lin across the pulley face and check the next day if part of the line has shifted. If so you need a new pulley asap or you will get stranded sooner rather than later. if it hasn't moved, you got some time still.

 

[eljefino]

It looks like the belt grooves aren't uniform, and the belt is riding up and down on the sheave slightly. If it's a new belt maybe it'll break in and stop doing this.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I thought it looked normal. I would keep an eye on it and see if it gets worse. Might be a good idea to replace the belt and belt tensioner and pulley. I did it on my 2012 Civic and it was less than $200 at the dealership.

 

[apollo18]

It looks like the belt grooves aren't uniform, and the belt is riding up and down on the sheave slightly. If it's a new belt maybe it'll break in and stop doing this.

I think the belt might be new I guess all I can do is watch it

 

[apollo18]

there's a rubber insert in that harmonic balancer, I think that's going out. take some chalk, draw a lin across the pulley face and check the next day if part of the line has shifted. If so you need a new pulley asap or you will get stranded sooner rather than later. if it hasn't moved, you got some time still.

Ty good idea I’ll see if I can do that soon

 

[meep]

I think inconsistencies in the belt make this look more concerning than it is.

1. Keep the video.

2. Drive it

3. Take another video at next oil change, and compare. If it’s not changed any, rest well.

 

[apollo18]

I think inconsistencies in the belt make this look more concerning than it is.

1. Keep the video.

2. Drive it

3. Take another video at next oil change, and compare. If it’s not changed any, rest well.

awesome thank you! idk if its my eyes but it looks like the pulley wiggles

 

[apollo18]

I thought it looked normal. I would keep an eye on it and see if it gets worse. Might be a good idea to replace the belt and belt tensioner and pulley. I did it on my 2012 Civic and it was less than $200 at the dealership.

it seems as if i would have to change the harmonic balancer too correct?

 

[apollo18]

heres an easier to view link

ty

video link

 

[joekingcorvette]

it seems as if i would have to change the harmonic balancer too correct?

Not too sure but it's a good place to start with the new belt tensioner and pulley. I did that with my Civic just to be safe because it has over 149,000 miles on it. My old 2005 Corvette that I bought brand new needed a new harmonic balancer at 72,000 miles. That balancer got real bad in a hurry. At first I thought it was an alternator or a belt because it would make a squealing noise but I would spray water on it and the noise would stop. Everything seemed to check out however about 50 miles later it got real bad in a real hurry. Luckily I was close to home and the repair shop was only 2 miles away. I drove it carefully to the shop and had it replaced for about $1,200.00 which was fine since they go on all C6 Corvettes in a matter of time. By the way that is the only real expense I ever had on that Corvette and drove it to 82,000 miles until I bought my C7 Corvette. In you case I would keep and eye on it and if it gets worse have it repaired but I would probably start with that tensioner since they are a lot less money than putting in the harmonic balancer and chances are it would be wise to buy the tensioner if you are at 120,000 miles. If that vehicle can go 80 mph down the road without throwing a belt I would say the harmonic balancer is more than likely ok right now but again, I would keep a close eye on it for the next couple thousand miles and continue to evaluate the vehicle as you continue your balancer research.

 

[someonesomewhere]

I had a harmonic balancer let go on the interstate once. 85 F150 with a 351W. Felt like the whole motor was going to come apart. Was shaking the truck in every conceivable direction, and some directions that are mere concepts to theoretical physicists. Lol. Worked at AutoZone about 2 miles away, limped it to work, commercial accounts guy let me buy the parts on a client account (with permission from shop owner), took the day off and spent the day on my back in the parking lot changing it out. Was never more thankful for a 4" lift kit as I was that day! Smooth as silk afterwards, no permanent damage was done to the internals, truck is still running around my hometown 20 years later on the same motor.

Anyway, definitely don't put it off if it turns out to be balancer related. It will wreck bearings in short order, I just got lucky all the way around!