Help identifying part that flew off after pulley replacement.

[ChristianA]

Just replaced my idler pulley and belt on my 3.0 ‘02 B3000. After starting it back up, within about three seconds, I heard a very loud clink sound. I immediately shut off the engine and looked underneath the engine bay. This part was laying there right in the middle. Any idea what it could be?

 

[superj]

Is there a nut missing on a pulley. It looks like it goes behind a pulley nut

 

[ChristianA]

Not that I’ve been able to identify yet. I had the suspicion of a crankshaft pulley after googling it, but the crank is fine I think. Pic attached.

 

[sgtsandman]

It goes on with the idler pulley, though I can't remember if there is one on the front as well as the back or not. I'm not sure what it's purpose is but more than one vehicle brand uses them. Strain relief by spreading on the compression load from the nut?

 

[ChristianA]

The thing is the new idler pulley didn’t feature this exact part. So I have no clue where this came from

 

[sgtsandman]

The thing is the new idler pulley didn’t feature this exact part. So I have no clue where this came from

I always had to use the old ones when I replaced the pulley. The new one never came with them.

 

[Curious Hound]

It goes on the front of the idler pulley, behind the bolt head.

It's purpose is to keep the pulley from flying off into the Nether-regions of Hell in the case of a severe catastrophic failure of the pulley bearing, ie; all the balls come out. The nut and that cap should keep the pulley attached to the engine.

 

[ChristianA]

My concern is when I put the new idler pulley on, I used a new bolt and washer, and didn’t use this part.

 

[Curious Hound]

My concern is when I put the new idler pulley on, I used a new bolt and washer, and didn’t use this part.

I’ll install it for you for $25 plus travel expenses.

 

[ChristianA]

Is there any chance it is used on any other pulley or part?

 

[sgtsandman]

Not that I've seen but compared to a professional mechanic, my exposure to different engines in Rangers is somewhat limited to the 2.5 Lima, 4.0 SOHC, and the 2.3 Ecoboost. Outside of that, the only other engine I've spent significant time with has been a Honda B20Z.

 

[Curious Hound]

Is there any chance it is used on any other pulley or part?

Either the tensioner pulley or the idler pulley. The picture I posted was a tensioner pulley on a 93 3.0l

 

[Uncle Gump]

Is there any chance it is used on any other pulley or part?

What part did you replace?

Idler or Tensioner?

To me it looks like the backside of the tensioner.

Do you still have the old part that came off the truck? See if this mystery part fits on the backside...

 

[pjtoledo]

how about the idler pulley? goes between the bolt head and pulley. that's the smooth pulley, no grooves.
saw a diagram of it on Ford parts, even had the dimple.
linking didn't work, can be found in engine, other parts then scroll down a few pages.
I used a 2005 listing.