How do I know if my harmonic balancer is bad?
If the harmonic balancer gets too old or fails and can no longer properly absorb the harmonic vibrations, the engine will shake excessively. The shaking will become even more pronounced, and therefore dangerous to the engine at high speeds.
Can you drive a car with a bad harmonic balancer?
Can You Drive With a Bad Harmonic Balancer? If you think that your harmonic balancer is no longer performing at the best standard then you probably shouldn't be driving your vehicle unless you want to create more damage to your vehicle's inner workings.
What are the symptoms of a bad crankshaft pulley?
The most common symptoms of a bad crankshaft pulley are engine vibration and irregular engine idle. It may also result in a damaged alternator, power steering pump, or a failed transmission if you are unlucky.
Can you drive without a harmonic balancer?
The harmonic balancer is essentially part of the crankshaft pulley. And because the belts that go around the crankshaft pulley run all of the car's accessories, without the harmonic balancer you'd have no air conditioning, no power steering, no alternator and no water pump.
What does a harmonic balancer sound like when it's going out?
Unusual Noises A faulty balancer can result in a knocking, rattling, or squeaking sound that corresponds with engine speed. In some cases, the noise is bad enough to be mistaken for an internal engine problem.
How much does it cost to change a harmonic balancer?
Crankshaft Harmonic Balancer Replacement pricing for various carsCarsEstimateAverage Dealer Price2015 Kia Optima$450$466.722012 Chevrolet Suburban 1500$395$425.362014 Hyundai Genesis$371$390.032009 Mercedes-Benz SLK350$460$477.472 more rows
What is the difference between a crankshaft pulley and a harmonic balancer?
0:215:26Do I need a Harmonic Balancer Crank Damper? - Jay's Tech Tips #31YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne. The harmonic balancer is a weighted pulley that mounts on the nose of the crank shaft to absorbMoreOne. The harmonic balancer is a weighted pulley that mounts on the nose of the crank shaft to absorb the inherent vibration.
When should a harmonic balancer be replaced?
Signs that your crankshaft harmonic balancer needs to be replaced include: The engine is loud and you feel vibrations coming from your engine. The pulley belt may slip causing your vehicle to backfire or misfire. The vehicle's ignition timing will be off.
How do you inspect a harmonic balancer?
1:542:51How A Harmonic Balancer Breaks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you hear these noises these shakes rattles. And so forth make sure you bring it in and haveMoreSo when you hear these noises these shakes rattles. And so forth make sure you bring it in and have it inspect it you don't want a crankshaft pulley to separate.
How long does a harmonic balancer last?
On certain engines, sometimes these last forever, last the life of the engine. And certain engines they might only last 50,000 miles or less than 10 years.
What does a harmonic balancer do on an engine?
Harmonic balancers are misnamed. They do not balance an engine, rather they absorb and remove unwanted vibration due to torsional twisting of the crankshaft. They are in effect vibration dampeners and are frequently called dampeners.
Can a harmonic balancer be repaired?
The good news is, the harmonic balancer can easily be repaired with a kit that usually retails for under $10.
Is it normal for a harmonic balancer to wobble?
When the harmonic balancer is wobbling, it would be best not to run the engine. The harmonic balancers function is to counteract the vibrations in the engine so damage doesn't occur. When it fails, it can cause premature wear on the bearings, or lead to major engine damage.
Can you drive with a wobbly crankshaft pulley?
If the crankshaft pulley starts to wobble, it will eventually throw off the belt. Not only that, but other components that depend on the pulley's drive power will ultimately fail.
How do I stop my engine from turning off when I use the harmonic balancer?
Lock a pair of large vice grips onto the flywheel so it comes in contact with the bellhousing. This will usually stop the engine from turning over in order to manhandually break HB bolt(s) lose having very limited access..
Can I drive with a bad crankshaft pulley?
You should not continue to drive with a faulty crankshaft pulley or harmonic balancer. Doing so can cause additional damage to your vehicle and potentially leave you stranded.