Crankshaft Pulley Mess

[Mopar488]

Sunday I was enjoying a slow drive on the Blue Ridge Pkwy. I stopped for some scenery. While leaving, I decided to turn on the A/C to keeo the seal from drying out. What a mistake! first the battery light came on, I was below 12 volts. Next the power steering went out. Then the temp gauge pegged. All of this happened in about a minute. I turned off the engineto get the heat down and the steering locked. I almost hit an island. By the time I got it stopped, I was losing anti X from the over flow. After a 6 hour wait/tow, I talked to the Viper tech the next morning. He said the crankshaft pulley came loose. I knew I had spun the drive belt and tore it, but this all happened at 10 MPH going downhill in 2nd gear. Th car has 2300 miles. I am waiting on a new crankshaft pulle, belt, and bolts. Is this a freak incident or has anyone else experienced this. I am almost afraid to keep the car after the warranty runs out Jan 04.

 

[Nadine UK GTS]

It has been found that some snake crank pulleys are not always at the 250 ft lb they should be. Under load they will undo themselves due to the nut-thread and pulley rotation. The things that happened, are all a result of the crank pulley coming undone, and as you state they won't take long to occur! The snake is almost 'bullet-proof' compared to other motors out there, I live fearless with out warranty in the UK! (Chrysler UK warranty's cr*p anyway; you get it good with Dodge)!

 

[Martin D]

Same thing happened to me. It is not that unusual. I would not sweat it.

Regards,

 

[Mopar488]

Curious, is the pulley held on by one bolt or more? Did you have any side effects from the overheating? Finally, what else should I expect to happen with this or other common problems?

 

[Diablo Joe]

I believe Sean Roe is selling a crank key kit.That would prevent it from happening again.

Joe

 

[Viper Specialty]

how exactly do you go about torquing the bolt without spinning the engine? 6th gear and parking brake...?

 

[utahviper]

Per seans instructions for the Roe SC. Put the car into 4th gear apply the brake and have someone torque the nut down 250 ft lbs of torque. It was not hard at all. 1 1/4" socket is needed.

 

[Viper Specialty]

ahh... good point. these transmissions are much weaker in 5/6 than 1-4.

 

[Joe Dozzo]

And don't forget a bit of red lock-tite!

 

[ewave]

I usually recommend changing the engine oil after a car has overheated. Oil breaks down very fast at elevated temperatures. Why take a chance?

 

[Nadine UK GTS]

Daniel, I just stuck a big flat head screw driver in between the 2 of the flywheel teeth and let it jam up (worked fine for me)!

 

[ndvipergtsr]

I just had this happen to me less than a week ago, I drilled the crank bolt head and two of the pully bolts and safty wired the crank bolt. I also used red locktight and had someone sit in the car with the brakes on while tightning the crank bolt to 250ft/lbs. Jerry