Anyone else notice the cars to have a propensity for developing rust on the main engine pulley? (bottom most center) Mine had a lot almost right off the bat. I've noticed it on other cars on lots. Could it be a potential problem?

 

Not as long as it isn't where the belt goes......

 

I am pretty sure I know which company that paints them. Shoddy work IMO

 

Could this be from them sitting so long outside to be shipped, etc?

 

They're painted? That's pretty bad work if it starting to develop surface rust already.

 

No, it's not where the belt contacts it, and the dealer told me it has a five year warranty. May have to get it replaced before then with something better coated. Love the car.

 

Mine has light surface rust but doesn't appear to be painted....since I am planning on adding underdrive pulleys (when the prices come down)...I am not too concerned.

Jay

 

My 05 was built early Sept and then sat at factory until all shipping began about 6 weeks later. That one mail pulley was covered in heavy rust including the groves which stained the belt. The pulley has no paint at all. Thinking the pulley was missing paint, the dealer ordered a new one for me. The new one was also natural metal, no paint and going to rust too. Dealer painted pulley for me and so far has not rusted,,,,yet.

 

This kind of thing is a perfect example of why I am reluctant to buy a Mustang. Cost cutting is one thing, but visible rust on a brand new car's pulleys is inexcusable. My wife's new fully loaded Accord EX V6 coupe which costs about the same as the GT I would want has no signs of any cheapness or quality problems at all, so there's no excuse. In fact, it is as good as any car I have seen that costs 10k more. I am willing to give up a few of the nice things her car has like heated seats, XM radio with controls on the steering wheel, outside temp gauge, moonroof, for a good looking V8 RWD muscle car, but not if it is built like a piece of crap. I saw a new V6 mustang on the road today with it's right rear brake line hanging with the bracket broken off. It probably rusted out and fell off too.

 

Relax people. The crank pulley is never painted, it is just cast iron. It is low and sees a lot of water, and I have never seen a stock 4.6L GT or Cobra that did not have rust on the crank pulley. It does not hurt anything, and is certainly not a sign of "poor workmanship." This is part you almost never see, and there are a lot of similar parts on your car that will develop surface rust, which will actually prevent deeper pitting and corrosion.

If it bothers you, get some Steeda underdrives, the crank pulley is black powder coated.

 

I don't understand the big deal....it is a pulley.

 

I've never seen ANY crank pully painted.... not on any car. If someone is going to worry about something like that, you're going to die a young age because you worry and complain about everything, and the stress will kill you. If you want a show quality car from the factory, then don't buy a Mustang...
Rob... you got nothin' to worry about, brutha... it's normal. It will not effect anything. Unless the car sits in the weather for 10 years without ever being run, it'll never be more than that.... just surface rust. it happens.
For those that want to cry about it.... I say go to another forum and do it. I think some people have a little too much to say when they start diggin' on Ford for "cutting corners to cut cost." Go find a 300HP import fully loaded for $25K, and lets compair cosmetic copouts. We'll both lay under the cars and see where the real cost cutting comes into play. Try adding 200 hp in mods to that same car and see just how quickly it comes unglued.

 

Chicken little's who don't understand the difference between surface rust and real rust.

 

by the way.... I have to appologize for my little rant.... and correct myself..... I have never sen a harmonic balancer be painted, but I have seen the pulley be painted. Anyways.... surface rust isn't going to affect anything but asthetics.

 

My 98 had surface rust on the pully for years before I replaced it with a Steeda, no need for concern.

 

Seems like some people are here looking for excuses to cry out about supposed quality problems.....

Funny, my wife and I were comparing the stng to an accord this last weekend, and while we both agreed that the Honda's quality was probably marginally better, we also both wondered who'd want an accord when you can have a kick hiney mustang?

Jason

 

call me biased, but I have yet to be impressed by a Honda.

 

I've owned a bunch of Honda's, just bought a new Pilot this year. I'm very impressed with them for what they are. Solid dependable cars for the masses.

In looking for a FUN car..... they have nothing for me.

Nothing compares to V8 grunt.

 

what he said...

 

I owned an Acura Integra before the Mazda and at 18,000 it developed a serious oil leak around the cam seals. It was bad enough that there was a strong smell of burning oil after driving the car. After a little research on the 'net, I learned it's a ver common problem with Honda 4-bangers. It was a nice car and pretty well built but it certainly destroyed my perception that Hondas are a step above domestics.