C5 Bottom Idle Pulley

[nbrnay]

So I've owned my C5 for about 2 months now (have done a readers car thread). Bit of a rolling project and a few known issues i'm working through. Anyway, one of my new ones is that the garage who MOT'd it and carried out some work has said the squealing its doing when driving is the lower idle pulley - and says its a £200 part to order from the states. Wondering if anybody else on here has had this issue or know if it can be resolved with shelling out that much + labour. Also, I am manchester based, I took it to the garage who the previous owner was using in Crewe namely as they know the car and would rather take it to someone who understands these cars rather than a general one - does anyone know of any garages who are used to these kinds of cars in the manchester area?

[Boosted LS1]

Do you mean the crank harmonic balancer? The big thing on the front of the crankshaft. :-) Swopping it needs to be done properly and with the correct tools.

[BlackZeD]

Its a big job, needs the steering rack removing to get it off and on.
Had mine changed after it failed at a car show, was very lucky it was only idling.
I have an ATI balancer on mine now.
It will cause a lot of damage if it lets go.
Had mine done by AAS in Newcastle, they know Vettes well.

[nbrnay]

I have no idea what I mean, just going off what the garage told me when I picked it up and he's looked after it and other vettes for a few years now. He said it wasn't dangerous or risky to drive but its bloody annoying. Thanks for the responses.

[Boosted LS1]

If it's an idler pulley and not the crank damper then it's an easy job to do and parts aren't expensive. I may even have one here. I'd ask the garage which part needs replacing for clarity.

The crank harmonic balancer or a belt idler pulley.

[nbrnay]

Thanks pal, he's had it for the past 2 weeks carrying out fair bit MOT work so the fact he wasn't too worried when I asked what it was makes me think its the former and therefore nothing too serious but either way I'll clarify with him. I'm hardly the most mechanical minded person in the world and certainly not with the LS engine, this rolling project is an attempt to build my knowledge.

[z06tim]

Be interested to know which part of the FEAD on yours needs replacing. Mine is starting to show noise when started and does not appear to be the crank harmonic balancer. If you search YouTube for harmonic balancer failure you can watch them wobbling, and sometimes producing a constant belt squeal.

Hope you get it sorted easily.

[z06tim]

Couple of pics of the FEAD here:

[Black C7]

Just FYI, you have Parts USA in Stockport. They are one of only two GM authorised UK Corvette service/repair outlets. Obviously they should know what they are doing.