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The job of the balancer is to help eliminate these harmonics before the cause problems. The circular device, made of rubber and metal, is bolted at the front end of the crankshaft to help absorb vibrations. The rubber inside the pulley is what actually absorbs the vibrations and keeps them at a safe level.
What are the symptoms of a bad harmonic balancer?
The most common symptoms of a bad harmonic balancer include: Engine Vibrations. The harmonic balancer’s job is to dampen vibrations applied to the crankshaft. Noticeable Harmonic Balancer Wobble. Unusual Noises. Illuminated Check Engine Light. Visible Wear or Damage.
Can a car run without a harmonic balancer?
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. And without it, you can do damage to the crankshaft and the engine bearings.
What causes a harmonic balancer to fail?
Failure to do may cause misalignment and galling. Excessive belt tension. An over-tightened belt may cause crankshaft snout runout and harmonic balancer wobble.
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.
Is harmonic balancer the same as crankshaft pulley?
Is a crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer the same thing? – Quora. No! They are two different things. The harmonic balancer slides onto the front of the crankshaft which has a keyway on it to keep it from slipping and a bolt and wide washer holds it in place.
Can oil leak from harmonic balancer?
The reason for such a nifty product to exist is after time the Neoprene timing cover seal wears a deep groove into the steel snout of the harmonic balancer. This allows oil to leak from the timing cover and if the oil leak is left neglected, road dirt and grime attracts to oil-covered areas and sticks.
Does the harmonic balancer have anything to do with timing?
The harmonic balancers found on many vehicles are constructed as two pieces of metal with a rubber layer in between to dampen the vibrations. If the layers separate or slip, the timing marks, which are usually stamped into the front of the pulley, can shift and thus throw off the placement of the timing marks.
Can you repair a harmonic balancer?
The good news is, the harmonic balancer can easily be repaired with a kit that usually retails for under $10.
Do all engines have a harmonic balancer?
Found at the front of the engine attached to the snout of the crankshaft, harmonic dampers are used to quell the harmonics of the crankshaft and are vital parts of your hot rod. A common part found on all high-performance engines is a harmonic damper (or harmonic balancer, as they are often called).
How do you test a harmonic balancer?
Start your engine and check the harmonic balancer to see if it wobbles while the engine is running. Take a flashlight and shine it directly onto the balancer to see if it goes in and out while rotating. If it wobbles, the harmonic balancer is bad.
What is the difference between a harmonic balancer and a damper?
A harmonic balancer (sometimes called crankshaft damper, torsional damper, or vibration damper) is the same thing as a harmonic damper except that the balancer includes a counterweight to externally balance the rotating assembly.
Can a harmonic balancer squeal?
if the squealing only occured when the car started it would be more likely a water pump bearing. If it only occurs when you enage the AC then it is a compressor issue. A harmonic balancer reduces vibration by allowing some slipage between the belts and the engine.
How do I know if my harmonic balancer has slipped?
There is a scribe mark on the face of the balancer you can see while it is installed. The mark is chiseled across between the center hub and the outer ring. Rotate the engine with a 3/4 wrench and look closely for the mark. If the mark on the hub is not aligned with the mark on the ring then it is slipped.
How much does it cost to replace a harmonic balancer?
How much does a harmonic balancer usually cost? A harmonic balancer replacement can be as low as $150 to over $550.
What is the cost to replace a harmonic balancer?
Labor costs are estimated between $125 and $157 while parts are priced between $242 and $246. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed. This range is an average across all vehicles on the road.
What does ATI Super damper do?
The ATI Super Damper is an elastomer style harmonic damper. Unlike OEM style dampers with a press-fit elastomer material, a Super Damper employs a combination of 70 durometer O-rings and a unique, full-captured inertia ring to dampen harmful crankshaft vibrations.
Why is it called harmonic balancer?
Definition & Description. In spite of its name, a Harmonic Balancer does not actually balance the rotating assembly. It absorbs torsional vibration so it is not transfered to the other parts of the engine. This is why it is also called a “damper” or “dampener”.
