harmonic balancer ?

[ro.co2]

I've got a wierd noise resonateing inside of the car. Its there when I start the car in the morning at idle in gear. After it warms up its there but less detectible except at idle, in gear, with the a/c running. The noise sounds like a wheel wobbleing. My mecanic said it was coming from the torque converter so off to the transmission shop. After they disconected the converter from the engine it was still there. My harmonic balancer has a wobble in it, and since this noise is worse with the pressure of the a/c or the power steering turned hard in either direction does it make since that could be the problem. So far no body has been able to figure it out. Any feedback would be appreciated. Roland.

 

[Fishman]

Had the same problem... when I had my original engine removed and replaced, I re-used the old balancer (the ONLY part I reused, go figure!). Replaced and all was well again.

 

[WayneC]

It's possible. But it could be a lot of things, like a failing fan belt, a rubbing a/c belt, a water pump going bad, etc, etc. You need to use a mechanic's stethescope (or listen thru a length of water hose) to narrow down the source of the sound... the torque converter is a long way from the balancer.

Here is a link to a vendor that rebuilds harmonic balancers, should you need that service (including Corvette balancers):

http://www.mustangbarn.com

 

[ro.co2]

Thanks for the reply. Did yours make the same kind of noise like a loose trailer wheel or was it something differant.

 

[Fishman]

... it was sounding pretty bad (like something loose), but only when idling or moving slowly. I kind of backed-into the fix when I noticed the timing mark on the balancer was gone when I tuning the car! Grab a timing light, can you see your timing mark?

 

[ro.co2]

The noise is there its just easier to hear at lower rpm's ,and it seems to make a differance if its under load. But when your driving it down the street its almost imposoible to hear anything.

 

[JohnZ]

I've got a wierd noise resonateing inside of the car. Its there when I start the car in the morning at idle in gear. My harmonic balancer has a wobble in it, and since this noise is worse with the pressure of the a/c or the power steering turned hard in either direction does it make since that could be the problem. So far no body has been able to figure it out.

"My harmonic balancer has a wobble in it" is the key, no "figuring out" required. Replace it. If you don't, and it comes off, it will probably take out your radiator and anything else it hits on the way out. Do it NOW.
:eek

 

[ro.co2]

Thanks for all the replys.Johns right if it wobbles its got to go anyway and with any luck it will solve the problem . if not its one more thing not to worry about, and can eliminate it from the list of probable reasons for the noise. Roland.

 

[00fxd]

Have you tried running the car with the belts off? That'll isolate a few things.

 

[ro.co2]

I'am going to try that today,and it will also give a chance to look at the balancer itself to see if its loose. Thanks,Roland.

 

[ro.co2]

I pulled off the belts today and sure enough the balancer is rock and rolling. So off to get it replaced monday. I cant beleave this isnt the cause of the noise., will see. Roland.

 

[00fxd]

Hope thats it Roland, let us know.
Frank.

 

[ro.co2]

Ive been running a new thread about installing the new balancer and yes the noise is gone. Roland.