How Much Does A Crankshaft Pulley Replacement Cost in the UK?

The crankshaft pulley, vibration damper or harmonic balancer is a wheel on the end of the crankshaft that drives the auxiliary belt. The belt connects the crankshaft to the engine accessories, such as the water pump, alternator, and power steering pump. The crankshaft pulley is usually made of aluminium or steel and has grooves that the belt fits into. The pulley helps to keep the belt in place and to transfer power from the engine to the belt.

If your car's crankshaft pulley is damaged or worn out, it will need to be replaced as soon as possible as it can cause your engine to run less efficiently and may even damage other parts of the engine.

How much does it cost to replace a crankshaft pulley?

The average cost of replacing a crankshaft pulley is £250, with prices ranging from £190 and £350. The exact price of the crankshaft pulley replacement depends largely on your car and the parts recommended by the manufacturer.

Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of a crankshaft pulley replacement. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50. The type of mechanic, for example, a mobile mechanic vs a dealership garage technician can also affect the total cost of a crankshaft pulley replacement.

Average cost of a crankshaft pulley replacement by location

A broken or faulty crankshaft pulley can cause subsequent damage to the alternator, battery, water pump, pistons, camshaft and in severe cases the head gasket all of which need to be inspected by the mechanic and repaired if needed which can further increase the overall cost of the job.

To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for a crankshaft pulley replacement, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for crankshaft pulley repairs and replacements and part prices to provide an instant fair quote. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an instant price for a crankshaft pulley replacement for your car.

Average cost of a crankshaft pulley replacement by manufacturer

Signs your crankshaft pulley needs to be replaced

• Vibrations from engine area
• Dead alternator or flat battery
• Engine running rough or idling
• Squealing or strange noises from engine bay
• Damaged drive belt
• Loss of power steering (power steering pump failure)
• Overheating engine

Engine vibration

One of the most common signs of a problem with the crankshaft pulley is vibrations coming from the engine bay. These vibrations can be felt through the floor pan or steering wheel, and they may vary in intensity depending on engine speed.

Noise from the engine bay

If your car is making a strange noise when the engine is running, it could be a sign that the crankshaft pulley is damaged and needs to be replaced.

Dead alternator

A crankshaft pulley drives the alternator via belt, which charges the battery and runs accessories. When the crankshaft pulley fails, no power is produced as the alternator is no longer rotating.

Engine stalling or rough idling

A faulty crankshaft pulley can result in the timing of the engine being completely off which can cause rough idling.

Frequently asked questions about crankshaft pulley replacement cost

What happens if a crankshaft pulley breaks?

When the crankshaft pulley fails, drive to the auxiliary belt will be lost. The alternator, power steering pump and water pump, when belt driven will no longer function. Engine timing problems and engine damage can also occur.

What causes crankshaft pulley damage?

One of the causes of crankshaft pulley damage is misalignment. When the pulley is not properly aligned with the crankshaft, it can cause the belt to slip or jump, which can damage the pulley. Sometimes a faulty harmonic balancer (which is meant to reduce vibrations) can also cause the pulley to fail. Note that over time, the crankshaft pulley which is exposed to high temperatures can simply wear out before it fails and needs to be replaced.

Can you drive with a wobbly crankshaft pulley?

It is not recommended to drive with a wobbly crankshaft pulley. The crankshaft pulley is responsible for turning the auxiliary drive belt. If it is not securely attached, it could come loose and cause the engine to stall and even cause severe engine damage.

Where is the crankshaft pulley located?

The crankshaft pulley is located on the end of the crankshaft, typically at the front or on the driver's side of the engine. To access it, a mechanic may need to remove the radiator and the fan.

How long does a crankshaft pulley replacement take?

On average, crankshaft pulley replacement times can range from 1 hour to over 1.5 hours with an average of around 1 hour. The time that the job takes will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Can I carry out a crankshaft pulley replacement myself?

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a crankshaft pulley replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price upfront.

What else could be the problem if my crankshaft pulley isn’t broken?

• Loose belt - a squealing noise coming from the engine bay can also indicate an issue with the serpentine belt or poor belt tension
• Accessories along the belt - issues with the alternator, power steering pump or water pump can lead to an unusual squealing sound from the engine area
• Ignition or fuel system - performance issues can be attributed to a number of components such as spark plugs or clogged fuel filters

What happens during a crankshaft pulley replacement?

• Mechanic will check the condition of the crankshaft damper.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the crankshaft damper.
• Mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will test drive the car and check everything works properly.