So much for the pulley "saver" kit...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,660
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From: Orange County
a land yacht.
So much for the pulley "saver" kit...
Bought the pulley saver kit in December along with my 185 pulley, etc.. I've had it on for ~4,000 miles.
From normal acceleration I hear a weird noise, then my display turns into a Christmas tree with lights everywhere, error messages, No power steering, etc.
I pull over to find this under my hood...
The belt was shredded, pulley in two pieces, and a hole in my coolant hose...
I immediately email Rob @ Needswings, and he called me seriously 5 minutes later! (on a sunday). I explained what happened, he was just as stunned as I. He was extremely helpful and sent out new parts asap.
Anyways, I thought this was supposed to help save the pullies not have them crack in half!
From normal acceleration I hear a weird noise, then my display turns into a Christmas tree with lights everywhere, error messages, No power steering, etc.
I pull over to find this under my hood...
The belt was shredded, pulley in two pieces, and a hole in my coolant hose...
I immediately email Rob @ Needswings, and he called me seriously 5 minutes later! (on a sunday). I explained what happened, he was just as stunned as I. He was extremely helpful and sent out new parts asap.
Anyways, I thought this was supposed to help save the pullies not have them crack in half!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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02 C32 AMG
wow. i'm sorry to hear this. i've never heard of this happening on either our forum or over with the srt6 guys.
and glad to hear about Rob. He is unbelievable helpful and always available. Great guy
and glad to hear about Rob. He is unbelievable helpful and always available. Great guy
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From: FT POLK LOUISIANA
1992 Toyota Corolla, 1994 Chevy C1500, 2002 C32, 2012 Prius, 2013 Toyota Sienna
WOW 
I just installed a 185 and the PSK a couple months ago. Do you think torquing had anything to do with the failure? The bolts kinda just tighten over the bearings if you know what I mean.....
I just installed a 185 and the PSK a couple months ago. Do you think torquing had anything to do with the failure? The bolts kinda just tighten over the bearings if you know what I mean.....Bought the pulley saver kit in December along with my 185 pulley, etc.. I've had it on for ~4,000 miles.
From normal acceleration I hear a weird noise, then my display turns into a Christmas tree with lights everywhere, error messages, No power steering, etc.
I pull over to find this under my hood...
The belt was shredded, pulley in two pieces, and a hole in my coolant hose...
I immediately email Rob @ Needswings, and he called me seriously 5 minutes later! (on a sunday). I explained what happened, he was just as stunned as I. He was extremely helpful and sent out new parts asap.
Anyways, I thought this was supposed to help save the pullies not have them crack in half!
From normal acceleration I hear a weird noise, then my display turns into a Christmas tree with lights everywhere, error messages, No power steering, etc.
I pull over to find this under my hood...
The belt was shredded, pulley in two pieces, and a hole in my coolant hose...
I immediately email Rob @ Needswings, and he called me seriously 5 minutes later! (on a sunday). I explained what happened, he was just as stunned as I. He was extremely helpful and sent out new parts asap.
Anyways, I thought this was supposed to help save the pullies not have them crack in half!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 21
From: Orange County
a land yacht.
Luckily nothing else got damaged. Just the pulley, belt and coolant hose.
Bearing did NOT seize, which is weird. The bearing still spins good and wasnt on too tight to where it wouldnt spin either. The bearing and pulley is from Needswings, not sure of their supplier.
yeah I'd have to agree!
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PLAID
\
OK, I don't want to beat that drum, BUT this is the very reason why I use the Code 3 pulley (and maybe ECs new SC pulley soon) on the C32. I know that the PSK is a good kit and that Needswings will back it, BUT the fact is, the darned 185 just overdrives everything.................
OK, I don't want to beat that drum, BUT this is the very reason why I use the Code 3 pulley (and maybe ECs new SC pulley soon) on the C32. I know that the PSK is a good kit and that Needswings will back it, BUT the fact is, the darned 185 just overdrives everything.................
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From: Livingston, California.
2002 c32 AMG 2012 c250 Coupe
\
OK, I don't want to beat that drum, BUT this is the very reason why I use the Code 3 pulley (and maybe ECs new SC pulley soon) on the C32. I know that the PSK is a good kit and that Needswings will back it, BUT the fact is, the darned 185 just overdrives everything.................
OK, I don't want to beat that drum, BUT this is the very reason why I use the Code 3 pulley (and maybe ECs new SC pulley soon) on the C32. I know that the PSK is a good kit and that Needswings will back it, BUT the fact is, the darned 185 just overdrives everything.................
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PLAID
I know the PSK is supposed to alleviate the problems with the 185 "overdriving" the accessories etc....................
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: DC Metro
02 C32 AMG, 06 C230 Sport (Gone)
I emailed him about the pulley last week and he never got back to me. I need to know the info to decide if I want it/can get it before they tune my car on June 18th in Nova. At least some approximate prices and numbers.
Does anybody here know what a tune would make with just an intake on the car? Would it be worth it at all if I dont have major mods?
Does anybody here know what a tune would make with just an intake on the car? Would it be worth it at all if I dont have major mods?
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ML
wow, i've had mine on for maybe 500 miles and its still okay. I agree about the larger crank pullies, IMO its not the best design. A nice, smaller unit on the SC seems to be the best, but people with code3's seem to have issues as well (belt slippage, bearing failure).
I'm still going to run my 185 + PSK, but if i start running into bad pullies and killing alts and PS pumps i'll look elsewhere for an alternative.
It all comes with the territory though.. you gotta pay to play.
I'm still going to run my 185 + PSK, but if i start running into bad pullies and killing alts and PS pumps i'll look elsewhere for an alternative.
It all comes with the territory though.. you gotta pay to play.
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From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
thats not really true. i went thru 6 oem idlers in less than 1 yr with my c3 pulley. since the installation of robs c3 ask i haven't had a single failure. the torque on the pulley bearing is very important. its only 15 ft/lbs iirc
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From: Philadelphia, PA
2008 A8L, 2002 996TT X50, 2009 X5
The PSK addresses other kits' approaches with the aftermarket idler nearest the waterpump pulley being overdriven to the point of potential bearing failure, as well as achieving a marginal improvement in belt-wrap on the S/C pulley. From what I gather, the PSK has no affect on the drive speeds of the accessories (alternator, A/C, etc.).
Last edited by c32AMG-DTM; May 18, 2011 at 09:04 PM.
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LET C32 2002
Darn just when you think you may avoid most potential problems by getting the PSK this happens! Mine has maybe 200 miles on it and I felt worry free but not now...sort of makes you not want to put her to pace...oh well IF I go thru issues I may just put her back to stock with tune only.
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02 C32 AMG
perhaps this is a fluke thing. i've put over 10k on my car with my PSK with no problems. that includes essentially continuous 18 hrs of driving from Phoenix to Houston, dynos, a bunch of drag strip events, driving hard on the streets, highway and surface streets.....i wouldn't count it out just yet.....just saying. don't get your hopes down.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
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LET C32 2002
perhaps this is a fluke thing. i've put over 10k on my car with my PSK with no problems. that includes essentially continuous 18 hrs of driving from Phoenix to Houston, dynos, a bunch of drag strip events, driving hard on the streets, highway and surface streets.....i wouldn't count it out just yet.....just saying. don't get your hopes down.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
sucks to see that dude.
i'm not quite sure what the pulley saver does still...does it slow down the speed of the pulley? I hope it does because if it only lengthen the belt it really doesn't do much.
i'm not quite sure what the pulley saver does still...does it slow down the speed of the pulley? I hope it does because if it only lengthen the belt it really doesn't do much.
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From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
the idler pulleys which are replaced are 100mm vs the oem 90mm and the tiny idler next to the s/c. this also allows the pulleys to be purchased at napa for much less than the oem pulleys. the longer belt keeps the tensioner in the proper position
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
perhaps this is a fluke thing. i've put over 10k on my car with my PSK with no problems. that includes essentially continuous 18 hrs of driving from Phoenix to Houston, dynos, a bunch of drag strip events, driving hard on the streets, highway and surface streets.....i wouldn't count it out just yet.....just saying. don't get your hopes down.
If I read about this happening many times, like with CPS or Bad Seat modules i could see concern, but once? NOT.
And my idler pulley went bad and sheared off my water pump pulley back when it was bone stock, so no matter what mods you do or don't have, it is likely to happen unless you're proactive and aware.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,660
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From: Orange County
a land yacht.
Sure the larger crank pulley overdrives everything but I do think the PSK works well. I think I just got a bad pulley that failed. Got a new one on there and everything seems great once again. I won't go back to stock or just a s/c pulley, I like more power. Things are going to break regardless, minds well have fun in the meantime!
