Hi all, once again more quetions than answers.
Vehicle in question is a 2.2l auto Liberty Series 1 (FWD not AWD)
06/1994 model... Called a Legacy in other countries I think (I'm in Australia).The owner/driver (she) called the pit-crew (me) and complained of burning rubber smell, heavy steering, and battery & brake warning lights. I went out, thinking "broken belt" but the belts were in good condition, tensioned right and I could not get the car to repeat the fault. Head scratching ensued, and then I saw the crank pulley actually moving (bolt is tight), and a spot on the cam belt cover where it is actually melted, due to the rear-most drivebelt rubbing on the timing cover. This seems to happen as the a/c is turned on/off, ie tension coming on and off the a/c drive belt. The "top" of the pulley moves in and out. So it seems that the pulley is slipping "on itself". Is this possible - ie is it a two-piece pulley with an internal rubber "dampener", that could let go and cause this? Has anyone else seen this? Also, if I've diagnosed it correctly, this explains all the symptoms except one - why did the "BRAKE!" warning light come on (the car didn't stall that I'm aware of). WRT repair... Obviously new pulley is needed. Would it be OK to fit the slightly damaged timing cover back on the vehicle? As far as I can see, the damage it has sustained will in no way affect it's ability to do what it does - protect the cam belt from FOD. Can anyone reading this think of anything else which should be checked? (The cam belt was changed about 50K (kms) ago - I think it can wait?)
All advice greatly appreciated, as always. Nathan, Australia.