Crankshaft Balancer issues
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 82
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From: Savannah GA
Crankshaft Balancer issues
A week ago I began hearing this annoying, high pitched whine that sounded as if my serpantine belt was stretched. Upon examining the belt, I noticed that my crankshaft balancer was wobbling, thereby rubbing the side of the belt and causing the annoying noise. I went to a local (Hinesville, GA) Chevy dealer, and they said that oil can sometimes leak and ruin a rubber seal that will cause the wobble. The fix for this: $1700 to replace the balancer (they quoted 17 hours of labor, which is just ridiculous).
Obviously, I have no intention of paying that, but according to the shop manuals for my 99 Vette, I need several special tools to do it myself, which itself makes this a very expensive project.
My questions are:
1) Am I risking anything by driving the Vette as is until I can get if fixed?
2) Are there any other options besides replacing the balancer itself?
3) Would I also have to replace the oil seal behind the balancer?
Thanks much,
Dave
Obviously, I have no intention of paying that, but according to the shop manuals for my 99 Vette, I need several special tools to do it myself, which itself makes this a very expensive project.
My questions are:
1) Am I risking anything by driving the Vette as is until I can get if fixed?
2) Are there any other options besides replacing the balancer itself?
3) Would I also have to replace the oil seal behind the balancer?
Thanks much,
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
1) Am I risking anything by driving the Vette as is until I can get if fixed?
Yes, you are. If the balancer walks foward enough, your belt will shred and the pulley could shatter and do considerable damage. It's happened to several owners here and on other boards. Plus, it's an ongoing problem on the C6 as well.
2) Are there any other options besides replacing the balancer itself?
Nope. Gotta' get in there and replace the pulley and seal. Also, I'd recommend pinning the pulley to the crank to prevent a reoccurrance of the problem.
3) Would I also have to replace the oil seal behind the balancer?
Yes. The oil seal initially heats up and forms itself to the pulley hub on the first run-in. It's easy to change once the pulley is off.
It's getting to the pulley that is so much "fun" which is why it's expensive to change it out. Might wanna' consider a cam upgrade while you're at it.
Go to LS1howto.com and check out the heads/cam swap on the C5. The tutorial will show you how to get to the pulley and why it's so much work. Not difficult, just a lot of stuff to remove.
Btw, here's a shot of a pinned pulley. You can add another pin 180 degrees to the first if you like.
Yes, you are. If the balancer walks foward enough, your belt will shred and the pulley could shatter and do considerable damage. It's happened to several owners here and on other boards. Plus, it's an ongoing problem on the C6 as well.
2) Are there any other options besides replacing the balancer itself?
Nope. Gotta' get in there and replace the pulley and seal. Also, I'd recommend pinning the pulley to the crank to prevent a reoccurrance of the problem.
3) Would I also have to replace the oil seal behind the balancer?
Yes. The oil seal initially heats up and forms itself to the pulley hub on the first run-in. It's easy to change once the pulley is off.
It's getting to the pulley that is so much "fun" which is why it's expensive to change it out. Might wanna' consider a cam upgrade while you're at it.
Go to LS1howto.com and check out the heads/cam swap on the C5. The tutorial will show you how to get to the pulley and why it's so much work. Not difficult, just a lot of stuff to remove.
Btw, here's a shot of a pinned pulley. You can add another pin 180 degrees to the first if you like.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Had to have the balancer replaced on my 00 Coupe after it came loose and walked forward. Chevy Dealer charged $700 which included a new balancer. Don't know if the seal was replaced. It leaked oil before replacing but not after.
Fred K.
Fred K.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
12561244 - Crankshaft front oil seal
Here's what it looks like installed in the cover. (Yes, I have an extra cover - heck, I could probably build another C5 with the spare parts in my garage.
)
Here's what it looks like installed in the cover. (Yes, I have an extra cover - heck, I could probably build another C5 with the spare parts in my garage.
)
Last edited by Patches; Dec 14, 2004 at 06:20 PM.
