Dealership says it's not harmonic balancer. I say it is. Pics inside.

[Cornwallus]

Ok so I have been having the squealing belt issue for a while now. I searched around google and found this website (what a great place!)

Anyway, after looking at where my belt was located on the crank pulley and taking the belt off to check all other pulleys for any other noises I determined that was the problem.

So I take it into the Ford dealership and tell them it's the harmonic balancer. Well he calls me an hour later saying that is where the belt is supposed to run and that the crankshaft pulley on my car is not the original one. So I said "My belt is supposed to be running on this plastic part of the pulley?" He said that is where it's supposed to run. Seriously?

So here I am back with my squeal mobile and no answers. Beyond this problem I'm having charging problems in the car with the belt not getting enough power to the alternator. The casing of the alternator has a lot of belt dust on it to, so I'm really baffled as to where this problem is coming from. But no other pulleys have any noise when I take the belt of and rotate them on their own.

Please look at this pics and tell me what you think. I'm pulling my hair over this because my car is now undrivable because it's not getting enough power.

Anyway here are the pics. I would appreciated any help. Thanks

Shot from below

Shot from above. Has my belt worked groves into the plastic?

Is this much belt dust buildup normal?

 

[swetrid]

Damper ring fell off, so it definitely needs harmonic balancer

 

[kdoggy]

And now you know what dealer to NEVER take your car to again. Although, I'd call and tell them there mechanics a hack but hey.

 

[2000StreetRod]

balancer failure thread

Both your balancer and your dealer have failed you: Harmonic balancer failure

 

[hotwheels77]

same thing happened to me just a few days ago with my 05 stang. i discovered the belt is off the metal part of the balancer. what did you do on this one? how much for the fix? thanks