grooved pulley on wrong side of belt

[xaeniac]

Replaced the idler pulley with a part that stated that it was the correct part. It was a gates 38008 and was labeled to be a replacement for the idler pulley. The only issue is the idler pulley was smooth and this one was grooved. The grooves will ride on the smooth side of the belt. Any issues with this? What are your thoughts?

 

[jlee]

I wouldn't run it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I would suspect that amount of friction will be less; causing potential slippage

 

[Squisher]

I wouldn't run it.

this

 

[xaeniac]

Understood. I learned my lesson. Will get it fixed....

 

[Jimzz]

Whats the year make and model?

There is a idler pulley and a tensioner pulley. Maybe got the wrong one.

 

[Meghan54]

Whats the year make and model?

There is a idler pulley and a tensioner pulley. Maybe got the wrong one.

That's exactly what happened, I'd put money on it. I use a very similar part on my truck. Despite it being the pulley for the tensioner, a lot of parts places call it an idler pulley....and call the idler pulley an idler pulley. Only place I've seen getting them absolutely correct, well two places, is Gates' own catalog and RockAuto. O'Reilley, Advance, AutoZone all call the tensioner pulley an idler pulley.

 

[RGUN]

I would suspect that amount of friction will be less; causing potential slippage

Amount of friction in terms of friction force is unchanged by the contact area of the belt/pulley interface.