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oil leak from around harmonic balancer

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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 12:24 PM
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Default oil leak from around harmonic balancer

i have had my 2003 z06 for 2 years and 18k miles now. currently at 90k miles and is my d/d. two weeks ago at a hpde after the third 20 minute session i noticed the oil leak . i think i lost about 3/4 of a quart according to the dip stick. h/b now with slight wobble. since then i have had to drive to work (5 miles) never exceeding 2000 rpms and the leak has stopped. do you think it is just the seal arround the h/b or is the front crank bearing or seal bad. my plans are h/c, u/d pulley, arh headers with cats, tex clutch. if the front of the crank is bad i will possibly go forged. any help will be appreciated. thanks in advance!
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 09:18 PM
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My guess would be that it's the seal on the timing cover that the balance slides into.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 09:22 PM
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If you're planning a cam install, then you will have easy access to the front seal then. The seal is pressed into the timing chain cover, and seals on the shoulder of the balancer.

It is a normal PM item to replace when doing a cam swap.


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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by brent brum
i have had my 2003 z06 for 2 years and 18k miles now. currently at 90k miles and is my d/d. two weeks ago at a hpde after the third 20 minute session i noticed the oil leak . i think i lost about 3/4 of a quart according to the dip stick. h/b now with slight wobble. since then i have had to drive to work (5 miles) never exceeding 2000 rpms and the leak has stopped. do you think it is just the seal arround the h/b or is the front crank bearing or seal bad. my plans are h/c, u/d pulley, arh headers with cats, tex clutch. if the front of the crank is bad i will possibly go forged. any help will be appreciated. thanks in advance!
I think H/B with slight wobble is need to be replace first, if the seal is bad then need to replace too. Soon or latter your vette engine will exceed 2000rpm , H/ B wobble is bad , engine tend to more vibration .
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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 07:46 PM
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thanks everyone there is always nice people willing to share their knowledge
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Old Apr 7, 2008 | 03:48 PM
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Mine started to leak when the balancer bolt came loose and the HB worked its way forward about 1/2". Had to have a new balancer and seal installed.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 10:12 AM
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i have checked the bolt and it is tight. hopefully it is just the balancer and seal. now i just have to decide between n/a or f/i so many choices so many variables. have a great day!
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by der451b
I think H/B with slight wobble is need to be replace first, if the seal is bad then need to replace too. Soon or latter your vette engine will exceed 2000rpm , H/ B wobble is bad , engine tend to more vibration .
If you replace the balancer and have the car torn down that far, by all means replace the seal and timing cover gasket.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 10:23 AM
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and i plan to replace oil pump with a melling,and upgrade timing chain with comp cam chain.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 12:52 PM
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Had the H/B replaced on mine. Make sure to use a new bolt to hold it on, and you have to torque it to 200 Ft/Lbs. Any less and you run the risk of it coming loose in the future (which happened to me because of unsaavy dealership mechs)
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 09:08 PM
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stupid question, but is loctite ever used for this bolt? if so red or blue?
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by brent brum
stupid question, but is loctite ever used for this bolt? if so red or blue?
Red. Although if I remember correctly, it came with some threadlocker already on it.
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Old Apr 8, 2008 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Rhode Warrior
If you replace the balancer and have the car torn down that far, by all means replace the oil pump, timing chain, and camshaft!.
Fixed!
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