So thanks to all you guys I think I found where the noise is coming from. I was looking around at the belt driven accessories and decided to spin the alternator by hand and I saw the pulley that connects it to the crank is totally loose or broken. Any tips on fixing that? https://youtu.be/RMzIpdoiJHA Had to change link this is what I found
Any decent FLAPS should have the alternator, or see if you can find a car in a junkyard.
The alternator is fine I believe just the pulley that connects it to the crank is all loose. The alternator spins freely and wasnāt causing any issues that I know of. I think now I need advice/tips on fixing that pulley before anything else. Any help would be greatly appreciated. https://youtu.be/RMzIpdoiJHA
in that last vid, it looks like it is the Water pump pulley is wobbly?? = bad water pump
what exact pulley is wobbling ?
I think the Alt pulley is an interference press fit on the shaft (I could be wrong)
You do not want to be driving it if something lets go in the front
Hey tony, so the pulley that I think is the cause of my noise is the one the connects the alternator to the crank I just updated the link on the previous post. I havenāt been driving the car since I thought that was internal noise until I found that today. Wonāt be driving it like thatā¦ so one of my posts got flagged by the community. Sorry Iām still new to the forums and learning the format
Be careful: if the pulley was loose, thereās a good chance the rotor shaft is damaged.
I viewed your update vidā¦
I am unfamaliar with the S3 layout, but that looks a bit like a loose bracket
(its still not 100% clear to me on yr new vid)
Is that an idler pulley bracket bolts worked loosed from the block ?
Does the pulley that is on the alternator wobble ?
all fairly easily fixable anyway 
Jabraan,
It is a little difficult to see exactly what you are showing that is loose in your last updated video but it appears to me that your Crankshaft Damper (EAC4050) has failed.
The attached picture shows an engine similar to yours that I built up engine right before I installed it in my 1984 XJ6 Vanden Plas. The Crankshaft Damper identified in the picture with an arrow. Is this the part that has failed in your car?
Paul
1 Like
Ok so feeling the alternator side it seems not have any give. And yes that is the correct part that you pointed out in the pic. Crankshaft damper. So from what I see that pulley has 3 belts on it 1st one is for water pump fan and ps pump 2nd runs the ac compressor and 3rd running the alternator. The 3rd one is the loose one. https://youtu.be/_d7UU3uosWA Hereās the video I just made. It shows pretty clear what Iām seeing considering we now know what part it is
It appears to me there is no belt running within a groove, and it is innermost to the engine ?
In that case, your crankshaft damper outer has probably separated form its inner due to failure of the rubber bond
(it still is a bit hard to be sure from the vid)
To check, insert a mirror, and inspect, it will be obviousā¦there are timing marks on the pulley, they should not move, except with the engine
you are close to resolution, a new damper can be done by the home mechanic
1 Like
Jabraan,
You are correct about the three belts and how they are driven by the Crankshaft Damper (also sometimes referred to as the Harmonic Balancer). The fourth belt is for the Air Pump but that is driven by the water pump pulley and not directly by the Crankshaft Damper.
The Crankshaft Damper is made by bonding metal pulleys together with a rubber like material. If the rubber has failed and the pulleys have separated then you will need a replacement Crankshaft Damper or you could send yours out to be rebuilt. Rebuilding a Crankshaft Damper is not a Do-It-Yourself job in my opinion however I donāt doubt that someone has done it. 
However removing and replacing the Crankshaft Damper can be a Do-It-Yourself job if you have the tools, place to work, and the patience. BTW since you will have to remove at least three of the belts to remove and replace the Crankshaft Damper there is no better time to replace them with new ones especially if you have no idea when they were last replaced .
Paul
1 Like
All the belts are still in there place. Yes itās the innermost one thatās moving. So it does seem that the damper has came apart. How would I go about replacing that part
S3 owners can advise whether it is possible with the radiator in place.
remove the belts and outer pulleys
unscrew the 1-5/16" bolt
remove the damper with a tool
As a general rule, (on other vehicles) the job is easier with the radiator and grille out,
but quicker if you dont need to
It is advisable to own a copy of the Factory Service and Parts manuals
1 Like
I have a couple of good used spare, free for the postage.
Oh thatād be convenient. How much for the part? Iām in Dallas Texas Also I appreciate all the help really didnāt expect this. If anyone has more tips and tricks on replacing the pulley Iād be putting them to good use. 
Maybe thereās a thread on replacing the crankshaft damper/ harmonic balancer one of you could refer me to?
search the archivesā¦maybe not too many people have swapped a S3 HB in situ though.
I have not
The S2 FSM says to knock it off with a malletā¦lol
I would suggest rent or buy ($20) a āHarmonic Balancer puller kitā
but you usually need ~min 4-5" clearance direct in front of damper bolt for it to be able to work
If for some reason, this cannot be achieved, I guess you could try to knock the inner cone off, but they are on pretty tight. A combo of puller 1st, then mallet means less clearance is needed
a tip is to use a washer or nut to avoid the tapered puller bolt potentially damaging the leading female thread of the crankshaft
1 Like
Thanks for the tip. I was thinking maybe Iāll have enough space by removing the fan and the shroud. I just watched a HB replacement video on a xj40 and thatās how he did it
**
As Paul says, Jabraan - the outer and inner part of the pulley are bonded together by rubberā¦
ā¦so do check that the inner part is still firmly fixed, and the wobble is due to failed rubber. In which case the swap only requires the damper itself - the main problem is likely to remove the bolt holding things together.
Also carefully save the tiny Woodruff keys which tends to fall out as the pulleys are removed. And do inspect them and their grooves to ensure a firm reassemblyā¦
Frank
xj6 85 Sov Europe (UK/NZ)
**
2 Likes
So from what I understand the crankshaft damper has 3 pulley. The forward 2 are tight the inner most one thatās connected to the alternator seems to be moving around freely. I suppose the alternator isnāt charging either because of how bad the pulley is. All 3 of these are supposed to be fused together or am I missing something? Edit. I suppose if someone has a picture of the crank shaft damper I could better see whatās broken on mine. I couldnāt really find a pic online
Jabraan,
Perhaps these pictures of the Crankshaft Damper from the failing engine that I recently removed from my 1984 XJ6 Vanden Plas will help.
You are basically correct but I would say ābonded together with rubberā rather than āfusedā.
Your Crankshaft Damper failure is somewhat unusual for the 4.2L XK engine. It is the first that I recall hearing about in my almost 20 years on Jag-Lovers. The failure seems more common on the 5.3L V12 and I had to remove and replace the one on my wifeās 1990 XJ-S convertible several years ago.
Paul