Hi. Im trying to get some information on one of the pulleys on my Loyale. I changed the belts today and the rear one started smoking badly (the old one was loose and about 2/3 the width of a new one. So, I pulled the belts and inspected the pulleys. Two of them had old melted rubber caked on them so I cleaned that then I felt around inside the other pulley tracks. One pulley is rusted inside the track and rough as a cobb. Its the smallest one below the alternator that loosens to replace the rear pulley. I figure that is what is grinding away at the new rubber and making it smoke. Does anyone know what that is called or where I can find a replacement?

 

I considered removing it and sanding it down smooth but it will require a special phillips tool to get in there horizontally, which I'll need no matter what happens.

 

Thanks for taking time to read and in advance for helping if you are so inclined.

 

Roy

sounds like the idler pulley and you can unbolt it from the block (2 bolts holding it in) and check for play and such if there is any I would replace it anyways and if not then emery cloth or something like it will work wonders

What belt is it? the timing belt, or the A/C belt?

 

either way, it's probably the tensioner, if it was the timing idler, it would've torn the timing belt instantly....trust me

It's a belt tensioner, and subaru used two different kinds. One has a long bolt that runs more or less vertically that adjusts the tension. The other type has two bolts, one that acts as a pivot and has a hex below it and one that locks the tensioner in place. The second type is far more robust, as the long skinny bolt on the first type tends to seize and snap in two. In either case, it's binding the belt. Remove it from the engine and check to make sure it turns freely. If it's just tight, you can try penetrating oil on it. If that doesn't work, you'll need to replace it. If the bearing is loose, you need to replace it.