serpentine idler pulley

[john112deere]

Changing my oil this morning, and I notice this odd-looking wear on the serpentine idler pulley.



Normal? Not normal, but not yet a problem? Impending doom?

Discuss.



2009 Ranger, 4.0L with a/c, 43,000 miles. Serpentine belt and all engine accessories are as it left the lot.

 

[fatherdoug]

Looks like the pulley froze and left a nice rubber coating on the pulley?

 

[john112deere]

Don't think so...the front face of the pulley is black, too- I believe (but could be mistaken) that the entire pulley was either painted or powder-coated black originally, and the shiny parts are where that's wearing off.

 

[fatherdoug]

I see. I didn't realize they painted the pulley surface.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

I think the paint is just wearing off. I wouldn't sweat it for now, but that's just me.

Ryan

 

[john112deere]

The pulley in my '97 isn't painted.


I know it's just the paint wearing off, Ryan- but I don't like the shape of the wear- it's all on the back edge, and has that weird sawtooth effect.

 

[Fellro]

Yep, looks like a crappy paint job, the paint at the rear is letting go earlier than the rest, just not quite as good of adhesion back there. The paint is flaking, giving the sawtooth look.

They have to wither paint it somehow, or it is plastic, they won't send them out unpainted to rust. The quality of the paint job though is not a big concern to them...