Looks like a pulley has fallen off?!?!?!

Ok firstly sorry for not being an active member, I guess this is in the main due to trouble free motoring, however that may just change! I pulled up at a set of lights and heard some very odd sound from under the bonnet for about 1 or 2 seconds then all went fine. Pulled up to have a look and all seemed 100% so very confused. Anyway I took alot better look when I got to my destination and it looks like a pulley of some description although fixed has sheered off from its three fixing mounted to the front of the engine (TD5 auto). I think it it located at something like 7 0'clock in relation to the fan. I cannot see what it does as there are no loose belts and the car appears to run fine. The item is about 8" in diameter with a 3" hole in the middle, secured with three bolts. Around the rim is 6 holes about 5mm in diameter all close together. It has the following dtails stamped on it AF Lc2, 302368, and E3J9. The rim is smooth however I have noticed that it appears to have a rubber ring running all the way round the circumfrence approximatelt 10 to 15mm in from the edge. I can only think it is some form of engine mount/stabilizer. Information greatly received Jeremy

It sound like the bottom pulley has lost it's damper

If it has its not that bad of a job to do took me about 40 mins from start to finish biggest job was getting viscous fan off

I have since found the manual both of you are 100% correct. First question is it stupid to drive it at all with the damper sheared off? Also looked on Ebay and they start at £300, so can anyone send me in the direction of something a little more reasonable price wise, or is that the going rate?

I drove mine back from France towing caravan without much trouble