Sounds as if my engine has developed a knock. On lifting the bonnet noticed the crank pulley has a fair old wobble on. So it has to be the big ends, doesn`t it? And if it is, what are my options? Car is a my99 wrx (ver 5). Cheers.

 

with the engine running, rev up and down slowly from the engine bay, and if you hear a knocking come and go as it clims up the revs then your bearing are prob shot

 

It could be that your pulley has come loose, check the bolt and also check the fit of the pulley on the crank key.

 

Great shout. Was just a loose pulley. Just saved my wallet a heart attack.

 

Very Lucky

 

if it comes lose again, wheck the woodruff (spelling) key to make sure it isnt bent out of shape, and it could bugga your pully or crank

 

A wobbly pulley would not have indicated big end bearing failure. The front main bearing would have to have been pretty well non existant to allow the pulley to wobble that much!
We're all paranoid about the big ends on these engines
As long as the key's ok, the result was good to hear. The bolt needs to be very tight.

JohnD

 

Ok people thanks for the advice. Have done it up tight. But whats the best way to hold the crank as your doing the bolt up?

 

Either a proper pulley holding tool or, more practically, fourth/fifth gear and foot on brake.

If your pulley has come loose like this I would immediately take it off and check to see whether there's been any wear/distortion on the key, the innards of the pulley or the end of the crank. Also follow the correct two-stage angle check tightening procedure. If done properly there should be next to no chance of it loosening - so either something went wrong the last time you put it on, or something (most probably the bolt) is worn out.