It seems that every time I get a couple things fixed some new issue appears. Today's issue is that somehow the harmonic balancer is now lightly knocking against the mechanical fan.

What would cause the harmonic balancer to undo itself?

Hopefully I can just tighten it up and fix it cus I don't have the $ for a new one...

 

check the tension of the belt. It is probably not going to be a tighten it up and go problem...

 

If the balancer is off, something HAD to cause it to move.. Sadly needing new parts. Can you give a little more detail? Maybe a few pictures?

 

The harmonic balancer is actually two parts, the main part which bolts to your crank and the 2nd part that is pressed around the main part (a ring) seperated by a thin strip of rubber type material. That material can and does deteriorate and that ring can come off. If this happens under speed major damage will happen. I had the outer ring explode once due to a casting fault.

 

Is it at all possible that the fan may have been somehow damaged?

Might also remove the belt and check the fan pulley or even the fan clutch for play or movement (try to wiggle the fan front to rear) if there is play, it would suggest a taco'd bearing.

I've worked on a lot of stuff over the years, but I've never seen or heard of a balancer just working its way loose. I guess anything is possible though.

I have heard of that, though... An acquaintance had one let go on a freshly rebuilt Chevy small block... Why he put the old balancer back on, I'll never know.

Happy hunting!

 

When the balancer starts making contact with the fan its time to change it. The pressed in rubber has broken down and it WILL go flying off while driving and can cause more damage.

They are not expensive and puller tools can be rented at the auto parts store. also the only part that needs to be removed to change the balancer is the belt. You will be able to get to it with the rad, fan and header in place.

I had one go flying off on my wife. Not fun and the sounds is down right scary. Not trying to frighten you just get it done sooner then later.

 

I am gonna jump in there in a bit and try to figure it out. Thanks for warnings about it flying apart... Better to get it fixed than to have a chunk of metal ring embed itself in my skull...

 

It appears that the rubber band sandwiched in between the outer metal ring and the inner wheels has split and is squeezing out a bit. I think it is the rubber strap that is making contact with the mech fan.

I wish there was a way to fix it because I dont have the money right now to replace it. They are like 50-60$ :/

 

Can you wait for it to be delivered? Rock Auto has them for about $35.

 

It will cost you even more money when it finally let's go and damages everything around it.

You can get a Dorman replacement at Advance Auto for $36 after the 20% off promo code. Have it sent to the store and there's no shipping.

 

when you pull it off make sure you remove the bolt and washer in the center and when you put it back together do not use a hammer of any kind on it, get a longer bolt and pull it on with that, then put the original bolt back in and finish it off. It is keyed so it can only go on one way.

 

I appreciate all the great advice. As soon as I come up with a few bucks I am going to replace it and the serpentine belt which is also pretty thrashed...

 

Advance's promos change. Sometimes it's a percentage, sometimes it's a certain amount off (like $10 off $50 or more). Sometimes it's a coupon for a future purchase.

Retail Me Not is actually showing a 30% coupon code right now. Sometimes those don't work though.

 

Per their site, the 20% off promo runs through 12/31/14. P20 is the promo code.

 

When I go to the site, the promo that shows now is 15% off $50 plus a $25 coupon for a future order. I can't find a straight 20% off code.

That's what I was saying. They change. I'm sure the P20 code works, but I can't see it. That's why I usually go to the outside coupon code sites to find out what the best deal really is.