Odd Problem, Idler Pulley

[NiX]

Well Odd to me atleast.

Yesterday I was driving home and while waiting at a red light, I noticed a smell, then a bit of smoke on the right side of the hood. I pulled into the next gas station while the car stalled. I opened the hood and a drive belt was off. After getting it towed home, I looked and took off both belts, replaced those and put in a waterpump (this was suggested to be the problem before). Everything went on fine and I asked my wife to start the car. It started but a metal noise was heard so she shut it off. I saw a nut hanging on the idler pulley and noticed it was coming off. So I (with lots of trouble) put it back on and tightened it. Started the Engine again, this time I saw sparks coming from that area. I took the belt off and noticed I couldn't turn the idler pulley at all (the one above the main pulley and to the right of the PS/Oil pump pulley). When I loosen it up it is really loose with lots of play, when I tighten it, it wont move at all. I have looked athte FSM but can't find anything. I'm trying to find another diagram of maybe how that is supposed to go together. Should I replace this whole part? Is there a piece I'm missing? I tried to take it out but it is so close to the engine mount and the body I couldn't get it out.

I'm puzzled since that pulley hasn't been touched and it seems it just stopped moving. No idea how long it is been bad.

[Rev_D21]

I wrote an article on this very thing. Search "Altima Idler" in the articles section, that should get you all you need to know.

[NiX]

zerothread/43375

I found this, is this what you are refering to?

[Rev_D21]

yes'sir! The bearings go bad. I bet yours went bad long ago causing the bearing to melt down.

[NiX]

Alright, I already have the article printed out and on my way to get the parts.It could have been gone a while ago, been trying to fix the car piece by piece. Thanks a lot.

[NiX]

Just wanted to say thanks, I was able to replace the part in about 1.5 hours yesterday. Only thing I ran across was taking out the pulley itself without the bracket seemed impossible, so after 15 minutes of messing with it, moving the engine up and down, prying it out of the way etc... I just pulled the bracket and the pulley came along with it. It was not moving at all anymore.

The car is running smooth and seems to be very quiet. I'm sure I'll be back on this forum with more help! Again thanks a lot.

[Rev_D21]

Glad it worked out for you. Come back anytime.