Can’t figure out why my new pulley is doing this with a new belt

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iboughtatahoe23

iboughtatahoe23

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It's just a wearing the paint off.. pulleys used to have a non-painted belt area. Manufacturers have made the process easier for them and just paint the whole thing. Nothing to be worried about.

If it was driving a waterpump, then the paint can cause slippage and noise. Pretty common on 8.1L replacement pumps. I've had to emery cloth off the paint on generators because they would squeal, slip, and cause the belt to get super hot.

You could remove it and sand off the paint if it makes you feel better about it.
I don’t think it’s wearing paint off. On my new pulley. It’s like bumps not indentations.
 

j91z28d1

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that is a bit weird but unless it damaging your belt or the bearings are making noise. I wouldn't worry about it much. just something to watch.

so the paint is fine, it's just building up rubber? and both the water pump pulley and the tensioner pulley are clean and it doesn't build up on them?
 
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iboughtatahoe23

iboughtatahoe23

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that is a bit weird but unless it damaging your belt or the bearings are making noise. I wouldn't worry about it much. just something to watch.

so the paint is fine, it's just building up rubber? and both the water pump pulley and the tensioner pulley are clean and it doesn't build up on them?
Ya it’s just building up with rubber. No noises. And haven’t really looked at the water pump. That thing looks like you have to dump the whole front end to change
 

mikez71

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So you think it’s my water pump pulley?
thats what i was thinking since there was residue on your old idler. doesnt mean your water pump is bad, just keep cleaning the idler pulley and see if it stops or lessens depositing rubber.
 
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j91z28d1

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Ya it’s just building up with rubber. No noises. And haven’t really looked at the water pump. That thing looks like you have to dump the whole front end to change

you wouldn't have to change the water pump over it.. just take the belt off and clean the pulley with some brake clean. same with the tensioner and idler, wipe down the back of the belt and that should at least give you a fresh start.

if it kept doing it.. I honestly don't know. haha
 

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