HELP!!! C5 with bad harmonic balancer did serious damage
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 593
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio Texas
HELP!!! C5 with bad harmonic balancer did serious damage
I just discovered on my 98 convertible with 17k miles that the harmonic balancer failed by coming apart in the axial rear direction. The result was a serpentine belt that looked like it was half off the pulley but upon closer inspection, the rotation of the pulley had eaten away at the timing cover and the oil pan. I need to replace three parts. My local shop has quoted me $1900 to replace all the parts and labor, oil change, coolant change, tax tag, title etc. etc. 
They claimed the oil pan was $900 from GM. Anyone know where I could get a used one? The other parts are pretty reasonable but that one shocked me. I have never heard of a harmonic balancer doing that kind of damage. Has anyone else had this issue? Seems like age rather than mileage has done a number on the elastomer and the bond. Any suggestions?
They claimed the oil pan was $900 from GM. Anyone know where I could get a used one? The other parts are pretty reasonable but that one shocked me. I have never heard of a harmonic balancer doing that kind of damage. Has anyone else had this issue? Seems like age rather than mileage has done a number on the elastomer and the bond. Any suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
Harmonic balancer problems have caused a bunch of damage over the years. Unfortunately a fairly common problem with the age our cars are getting. That shop is trying to rip you a new one on the oil pan !!!Try Corvette Recycling - forum vendor - for the oil pan. Click on their link at the left in the vendor column. I have used them before - quality used parts, quick shipping if in stock and GOOD pricing. CHECK OUT THIS POST IN THE C5 Parts For Sale secton- http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...-for-sale.html
in the parts for sale section. Used timing chain cover and gasket $60, brand new oil pan $300 plus shipping !!!!
in the parts for sale section. Used timing chain cover and gasket $60, brand new oil pan $300 plus shipping !!!!
Last edited by CHJ In Virginia; Jan 6, 2011 at 02:30 PM. Reason: added parts post listing
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Nashville Ga
Considering you have to take it all apart anyway, why not look at some of the aftermarket companies for the oil pan, dampner and cover. You could actually get one of the covers that would allow you to change your camshaft without dropping the oil pan. Plus some of the newest one's dapen harmonics much better than stock plus they are smaller and lighter. Hopefully you caught this early and haven't beat all the bearings out. If you have there is not a lot you can do about it anyway. bolt it back up, keep and eye on oil pressure and and ear out for noise.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I agree, I see them all the time. You might also consider the C6 LS2 pan, which is less money. It is time consuming to do this job, but no overly hard.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Are you SURE that the actual OIL PAN is damaged?? The timing chain cover is a seperate part and can easily be damaged by the damper. Unless the lip at the bottom took a hit?
While the cover is OFF, up-grade to a LS2 timing chain. Its a MUCH better chain an is a direct replacement.
MAKE SURE that they use RED LOCKTITE on the CAM sproket bolts when they reassemble it
While the cover is OFF, up-grade to a LS2 timing chain. Its a MUCH better chain an is a direct replacement.
MAKE SURE that they use RED LOCKTITE on the CAM sproket bolts when they reassemble it
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 593
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio Texas
Are you SURE that the actual OIL PAN is damaged?? The timing chain cover is a seperate part and can easily be damaged by the damper. Unless the lip at the bottom took a hit?
While the cover is OFF, up-grade to a LS2 timing chain. Its a MUCH better chain an is a direct replacement.
MAKE SURE that they use RED LOCKTITE on the CAM sproket bolts when they reassemble it
While the cover is OFF, up-grade to a LS2 timing chain. Its a MUCH better chain an is a direct replacement.
MAKE SURE that they use RED LOCKTITE on the CAM sproket bolts when they reassemble it
Many thanks for your input Bill.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 593
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio Texas
Unfortunately I did not hear anything and had no symptoms until I found a large pool of oil in the garage floor. I did hear some strange noise about a month ago but did not horrible. I really thought it was a bad belt tensioner. The obvious thing was the serpentine belt was about half off the pulley and I didnt know why. Now I do!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
Post some pics of the damaged parts, if you don't mind. You know, since it will be that far apart, you might as well do a little upgrading! DEFINITELY upgrade the oil pump at least, since stock 97 and 98 pumps have been known to fail!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 16
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
