crankshaft damaged?

denverunner

denverunner

New member
Hi, I don't post much, but I really need some help/insight and maybe someone else will find this post useful later down the road too.

98 3.4L 5spd. with 137k.


My runner stalled out while driving. pushed it to the side of the road and popped the hood. I noticed that the crankshaft pulley was cockeyed, leaning to the side, but still hanging on by the belts. got it towed to my house, and upon closer inspection, I was able to remove the bolt that holds the pulley with my HAND. Thats when my stomach sank. So, I got the pulley off, and took a look at it...the channel that runs along the inside of the pulley was not looking good... It isn't straight like it should be. And, on the crankshaft, the piece (Woodruff?) that aligns the crankshaft pulley was no longer there.

I took 3 pics. One of the new and old pulleys and one of the mounting surface on the crankshaft. I fear that since the woodruff is "gone" that I'm SOL and I might have to spring for a new crankshaft.

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thoughts? Insight? all is GREATLY appreciated and I thank you in advance
 
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Can't see the pics. But you need to know the Woodruff key is 90% under the timing gear and only engages the pulley for maybe a quarter of an inch at the rear. If the loose timing gear slid forward just a little bit, the key could easily be completely hidden by the gear. To evaluate the situation, you need to pull the timing gear and look at the key and its channel. Second, you need to check the crankshaft end for roundness so that a new pulley will sit solidly if the old one is replaced. Third, you need to verify the condition of the threads in the end of the shaft. If all these are good, you can get by with a new key, bolt, and pulley.

EDIT: Now the pics are showing up. Pulley is FUBARED, of course. You do need to pull the timing gear. It may have moved forward or the end may have been sheered at the channel. I can't tell. The key has been eaten at the end by the pulley but the key can be replaced if the channel it sits in is ok. How does the pulley sit on the end of the crank? Is there any wobble? If not, a new key, pulley and bolt might do it. The crank end is scored but still looks round and I see no damage to the threads. Does a bolt go in and out? I'd say it is worth a try if the new pulley has no wobble and the key channel looks ok when you get the gear off.
 
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pics should be visible now....


I will check to see if the timing pulley slid forward and also inspect the channel. The threads on the crankshaft appear to be good, no visual damage. I removed the radiator and fan so I could really get good look.


Updates to follow..... thanks durk!
 
I had a similar experience with my harmonic balancer. But it was chewed up was worse than yours was. The woodruff key did look like yours though.

You can replace the wookruff key and the harmonic balancer and it might fix the problem. The woodruff keys aren't to pricey but a new HB is rediculous unless you get one from a part out rig.

To replace the woodruff key you can get a gear puller that will screw into the timing gear/sproket and pull it off the crankshaft. Then the key will just pull out.
 
The same thing happened to me. I had to roll my truck to a shop and have them pull the timing gear. It took the guy 45mins - 1hr. They had to heat up the timing gear with a torch and hit it with a brass hammer to get it to break free. (after flooding it with PB blaster for 24 hours) Once the timing gear and woodruff key came loose i had to buy a new timing gear thru toyota and get a new key. at that point i replaced the timing belt and everything went back together fine.

My woodruff key looked the same

<a href="http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/ryankmasuda/Toyota%204Runner%20Build/?action=view&current=IMAG0152.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/ryankmasuda/Toyota%204Runner%20Build/IMAG0152.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App"></a>
 
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My crank shaft bolt had come loose and was about half way out allowing the harmonic balancer to back off the woodruff key and basically grind down the woodruff key and gouge the HB. I believe it's from the crank shaft bolt not being torqued to spec. It happened at about 130k so its also possible that it just worked itself loose in that time frame.
 
Why this happens IMHO:

A: not getting a new crankshaft bolt when replacing the TB/H20 pump. $10~15 dollars saves a lot of headache.

B: not torquing the bolt to 217ft/lbs.
 
Two things...

1. Digging into this on Sunday, so hope to have it all resolved by sundown. got a new bolt, new key, new pulley, new belts, the whole 9 yards. I wasn't happy about shelling out $280 for a new pulley, but it's a discount compared to the local stealer's price of $400 :redbrick:

2. I didn't want to point fingers, but I did some digging through the previous owner's records. Turns out that they had the tbelt done at a firestone service center in littleton. My guess is that the tech didn't replace the crankshaft pulley bolt when swapping the tbelt and I'm thinking that they also didn't torque it correctly. I can't say for sure, but it seems to be the only plausible explanation.
 
Good luck denverunner. $280 is not a bad price for the HB.

Firestone is good for tires, ok for oil changes and alignments, and not stellar for much else.
 
$280 is terrible.. you might have to park in the handicap after getting screwed over that bad.. lol only kidding.

Just curious why didn't you get a HB out of a wrecked runner or part out? You could have saved sooo much money.
 
I suppose I could have pulled one from another runner, but.... I dunno. I don't have a whole lotta free time on my hands these days and I plan on keeping this thing as long as I can. I guess I just feel more comfortable buying a new one.

I got mine from www.1sttoyotaparts.com (cheaper than trd4u!)

UPDATE:
I pulled the timing gear and destroyed it in the process of removing it. If you ever have to remove it, be EXTREMELY careful, the larger diameter side of it (facing the engine) bends VERY easily and the little teeth will break off. Also, take care not to damage the crankshaft seal behind the timing gear, when prying off the gear.

I ran outta time this morning before wrappign up to get ready for work, but at this point, all I need to do is remove the old woodruff and put everything back together. crankshaft seems to be okay... thoughts?

just waiting on a new timing gear to show up before I put everything back together

6755969795_86a5d630be_b.jpg


To wrap up, I'm about $500 deep in this with parts/fluids. Thats less than half what the stealer would charge for the work/parts, but it's jus frustrating because something like this SHOULDN'T happen.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't cut corners to save a few bux on your timing belt service. Do it yourself or take it to an authorized toyota service center
 
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yeah I did the same thing. luckily the timing gear is cheaper than the timing pulley.

There is a tool that pulls it off. It bolts into the timing gear and pushes off the crankshaft to pull the gear off. That was the only way I got mine off.
 
I would change your timing belt while your in there if it hasn't been done. Also check your threads on the crank shaft bolt and female end
 
Ghostrider said:
Slightly related - if the dealer did not replace my bolt two years ago is this something I should have done now?
Click to expand...

Ask them what they recommend. Maybe they can check the bolt torque for you to see if it's loosened up at all and then you can decide where to go with it from there.....
 
Hey denverunner, I realize this post is almost 2 years old...but I was wondering if the crankshaft was able to be saved. My S/C 4Runner did the exact same thing today. Pictures look almost identical. Just wondering what my next move is going to be.
 
Denverunner, I just found this same issue with my recently purchased 2001 Tacoma V6 after hearing a clunking noise develop and noticing the harmonic balancer was wobbling and producing the noise. The timing belt was replaced buy the previous owner 5k miles ago so I can only assume they didn't tighten or torque the crankshaft bolt but the mechanic assures me he did, when I asked how else could this happen he couldn't say.

Were you able to salvage the crankshaft and replace the woodruff key, crankshaft gear, and balancer. Did everything work out? I'm wondering what to do. I'm tempted to take it to the Toy Doctors (I'm in the mountains) but may tackle it myself if it's not too difficult. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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