Water Pump Replacement/Harmonic Balancer Wobble
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
Water Pump Replacement/Harmonic Balancer Wobble
I've done a search and found a lot of info on replacing the harmonic balancer and wobble but haven't found anything on whether the harmonic balancer wobble could be caused by replacing the water pump, both belt tensioners, and both belts. I'm pretty sure the balancer didn't wobble before the stealership changed the above parts. Is there something they could have screwed up in the process that would cause the wobble? I'm afraid if I take it in, without help from the forum, they will just tell me they need to replace the harmonic balancer which will cost between $600 and $1000's, and I wouldn't know any better.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Its possible if the balancer was weak, with a weak tensioner, that it was less noticeable. With a new tensioner and more load on the balancer, it may have exacerbated an already bad situation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: Spring, TX
My seperated and the outer ring slid back taking out the front engine cover and oil pan. Was a good excuse to do the cam swap as it was just a few more bolts.
If you are going to replace the balancer do not use a stock unit. The aftermarket pieces are much higher quality. Been thinking about a cam? Then now is the time.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
Thanks for the help. It sounds like the new belts and tensioners may have increased the load, possibly exacerbating the wobble but doesn't indicate a bad installation of the new parts. So now I will shop around and check on some aftermarket pulleys, perhaps an underdrive pulley, and prices to install. I also need to do some research on cams, because I had not been considering them, but if they are a good idea for me, now would seem to be the time to do it, as well as replacing timing cover seal.
Any advice on new pulleys?
Cam recommendations (I never race the car, only driven occasionally (couple times a week, sometimes spirited, sometimes take it on weekend trips)?
Any advice on new pulleys?
Cam recommendations (I never race the car, only driven occasionally (couple times a week, sometimes spirited, sometimes take it on weekend trips)?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Wakefield R.I.
Just got my 25% underdrive Powerbond in yesterday from New Era. It is a really nice piece and the price was reasonable through the website www.neweraperformanceparts.com
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Just got my 25% underdrive Powerbond in yesterday from New Era. It is a really nice piece and the price was reasonable through the website www.neweraperformanceparts.com
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: Spring, TX
Look at my sig. That is a somewhat mild cam. If drivability is a big issue with you then I would probably not go any bigger than what I have and I would recommend going with a higher LSA like a 114 or 115. It will provide better idle quality. Don't let anyone tell you that a cam does not impact drivability. They all do and they all require computer tuning just to a different degree.
Doing a cam is not inexpensive. The only reason to do it now is that most of the more difficult labor is being done to replace the balancer. However you will need other parts as well that will add to the expense like new push rods, springs, retainers, possibly a new timing chain plus the cam. Tuning will be about another $400 - $500. So don't just jump in with both feet. I did my own install but I think a good ball park figure including tuning is around $2,000 including all the parts and install.
Powerbond and ASP both make good pulley's. Since you don't race you car I would not mess with an UD pulley. You only gain like 5hp so you are not leaving much on the table.
Doing a cam is not inexpensive. The only reason to do it now is that most of the more difficult labor is being done to replace the balancer. However you will need other parts as well that will add to the expense like new push rods, springs, retainers, possibly a new timing chain plus the cam. Tuning will be about another $400 - $500. So don't just jump in with both feet. I did my own install but I think a good ball park figure including tuning is around $2,000 including all the parts and install.
Powerbond and ASP both make good pulley's. Since you don't race you car I would not mess with an UD pulley. You only gain like 5hp so you are not leaving much on the table.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
Thanks for the cam advice. I think I'm going to pass on a cam install. Because I only drive on the street, the cost/benefit isn't worth it for ME. I'm sure it is worth it to others. Thanks again for the help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 2
From: Notorious Miami sunny south florida
If the water pump was leaking on your harmonic balancer this will cause
the stock balancer to wobble the rubber used inbetween the two parts used to make the stock balancer will become soft and cause it to start to come apart this happened to me . my balancer came apart I replaced it with a fluidampner from summit the car runs much smoother it self balancing and power bonded and it will not come apart you only want to do it once
98 m6
the stock balancer to wobble the rubber used inbetween the two parts used to make the stock balancer will become soft and cause it to start to come apart this happened to me . my balancer came apart I replaced it with a fluidampner from summit the car runs much smoother it self balancing and power bonded and it will not come apart you only want to do it once
98 m6
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
That sounds logical. Thanks!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
Today while running the A/C, I've noticed that the A/C fan makes a squeaking noise when turning the steering wheel hard. This doesn't sound normal to me. Does it indicate anything specific? 
