Although the harmonic balancer may seem simple enough, if it fails, it can cause major problems. Without the balancer dampening unwanted crankshaft vibrations, engine failures, such as worn rod bearings and a broken crankshaft, may result. A faulty balancer can damage the belt and engine-driven accessories as well.

Is it bad to drive a car with a bad harmonic balancer?

Although the harmonic balancer may seem simple enough, if it fails, it can cause major problems. Without the balancer dampening unwanted crankshaft vibrations, engine failures, such as worn rod bearings and a broken crankshaft, may result. A faulty balancer can damage the belt and engine-driven accessories as well.

Can you drive your car 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 happens when your harmonic balancer goes 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.

How can I tell if my harmonic balancer is bad?

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.

How much does a harmonic balancer cost?

The price of harmonic balancers varies widely depending on the brand, year, make and model of your vehicle. You can expect to pay between $50 to $500.

Does harmonic balancer affect timing?

Another symptom of a potential problem with the harmonic balancer is, misaligned timing marks. If the layers separate or slip, the timing marks can shift. This will make it, difficult if not impossible; to properly time the engine with a timing light.

When should I replace my harmonic balancer?

1. The engine is loud and you feel vibrations coming from your engine.
2. The pulley belt may slip causing your vehicle to backfire or misfire.
3. The vehicle’s ignition timing will be off.
4. The vehicle will not start at all.

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.

Can a harmonic balancer cause a misfire?

The harmonic balancer also acts as a pulley for your vehicle’s drive belts so when it begins to fail your engine’s belts may slip, operate noisily or become damaged. You may experience this as an inability to accelerate efficiently, dips in fuel economy and engine misfiring or backfiring.

Article first time published on

How long does 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.

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 are the symptoms of a broken crankshaft?

• Your Check Engine Light is Blinking.
• It’s Difficult to Get Your Vehicle to Start.
• Your Vehicle is Stalling and/or Backfiring.
• The Engine is Making Your Vehicle Vibrate.

Is harmonic balancer the same as crankshaft pulley?

Similar they are both Front Crankshaft Lower Pulleys but a Harmonic Balacer has a Rubber insert damper and is weighted to help cancel out Engine vibration whereas a normal Crankshaft pulley is just a solid steel pulley.

What is the harmonic balancer on a car?

The harmonic balancer (also known as the crankshaft damper) is a round disc made of rubber and metal that absorbs vibrations caused by the engine cylinders’ firing. It protects the crankshaft.

How do you replace a harmonic balancer?

1. Materials Needed.
2. Step 1: Prepare the vehicle. …
3. Step 2: Remove the accessory drive belts. …
4. Step 3: Remove the harmonic balancer bolt. …
5. Step 4: Remove the harmonic balancer unit. …
6. Step 5: Install the new harmonic balancer. …
7. Step 6: Install the belts.

What does a performance harmonic balancer do?

The function of the harmonic balancer is to reduce the amplitude of the torsional vibration peaks to an acceptable level. Most OEM harmonic dampers are not designed to cope with the rpm and BHP levels experienced in competition. That is why racers must consider a high-performance damper that is fit for purpose.

Can you weld a harmonic balancer?

Hello – No, welding the harmonic balancer to the crankshaft is not a good idea for at least 2 reasons. … Welding the hub to the crank will almost certainly pass enough heat to the rubber portion of the balancer to damage it.

What happens if crankshaft pulley breaks?

When a crankshaft pulley fails (or the timing belt due to a badly maintained crankshaft pulley), the timing of the engine is completely thrown off. Even a rotation or movement of a few millimetres can start to cause problems in a system so precise.

How do I know if my crankshaft pulley is bad?

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.

Does a harmonic balancer spin?

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”.

What is the difference between a harmonic balancer and a damper?

The two terms are used interchangeably, but technically they have different functions. A balancer adds weight to help (externally) balance the lower rotating assembly of an engine, while a damper, quells the vibrations during crankshaft vibration which occur as a function of the combustion process.

How does a crankshaft pulley work?

Definition. A crankshaft pulley, also called a harmonic balance wheel or crankshaft sheave, is a grooved, wheel-shaped device that connects directly to the vehicle’s crankshaft. The crankshaft essentially converts the linear, or straight, movement of pistons into a rotational motion.

Can a harmonic balancer add horsepower?

Adding an upgraded harmonic balancer is a great way to keep your engine from having serious issues as horsepower increases. LeBarron goes a little deeper into the issues a stock harmonic balancer will experience as you up the power.

How hard is it to replace a harmonic balancer?

Most DIYers can replace a harmonic balancer themselves if they follow the rigth Harmonic balancer replacement procedurehave the right tools. Replacing a harmonic balancer is a three-step process. In many cases, the hardest part is removing the center crankshaft bolt. For that you’ll need the proper ½-in.

Where is the harmonic balancer located on a car?

This is where the harmonic balancer comes in. The circular device, made of rubber and metal, is bolted at the front end of the crankshaft to help absorb vibrations. It’s usually connected to the crank pulley, which drives accessories like the air conditioner.

Is the harmonic balancer bolt reverse thread?

As far as I know, it’s a standard left-hand thread.