I have a bad harmonic balancer as determined by.

JSEFTON

MEMBER
1994 OLDSMOBILE 88
19,600 MILES

I have a bad harmonic balancer as determined by the clanging sound. Is it safe to drive for a few days before repairing or will the car suddenly quit? The noise has been clanging for 5 days. How long should I wait to repair it?

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 AT 2:38 AM

3 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

"AS DETERMINED BY THE CLANGING SOUND". SO WE HAVE'NT LAID DOWN ON THE GROUND AND LOOK AT IT TO VERIFY IT HAS FALLEN APART OR IS WOBBLING ABOUT TO?

MAYBE IT'S SOMETHING ELSE?

IF THE PILOT CAME OVER THE LOUDSPEAKER AND SAID, " HAD THIS RACKET IN THE PLANE FOR 5 DAYS NOW, PLEASE DISREGARD IT, WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT YET". WOULD YOU STAY ON BOARD?

THIS COULD VERY WELL BE DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT

WHATEVER IT IS FLOPPIN' AROUND, SURELY CANNOT BE DOING THE RECEIVING END ANY GOOD EITHER

DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED AND REASONABLE TO CHECK OUT YOUR VEHICLE?

MOST LIKELY, YOU HAVE PUT IT OFF BECAUSE OF $$$?

LET ME KNOW THE DEAL

THE MEDIC

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Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 AT 4:44 AM

JSEFTON

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks guys: Yes, a mechanic took the drive belt off and turned the harmonic balancer with his hand and it moved and clicked. He said it was not supposed to move, but be stationary. He thought the rubber part inside was loose and worn. Didn't see a wobble though, just a click. Looks like I'm headed there tomorrow to have it repaired! Thanks again. I suppose I should drive at a low speed tomorrow, HUH, to get to the garage which is 15 mi. Away.I bought the part today.

This 94 Olds has 97,000 which was not accurately reported in my original message. Not too surprising for a harmonic balancer to go bad, likely huh? Still, it is the best driving and running car I have ever owned with this kind of mileage.

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Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 AT 5:06 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

SOMETIMES WE DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO!

I'D MUCH RATHER SEE YOU "CREEP" IT TO THE GARAGE---THAN DRIVE THE KIDS AROUND ALL DAY LONG FOR A WEEK. WITHOUT A WORRY!

WANT ONE WITHOUT A HARMONIC BALANCER."WILLY" AIN'T GOT ONE."MR JEEP" DOES

HE HAS BEEN SOMEONE'S PAL FOR THE PAST 66 YEARS (THE LAST 20--MINE!)

MORE MILES THAN THE MIND CAN IMAGINE?

ALL HE NEEDS TO "LIVE" IS FOR HIS BUDDY TO KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE AND FIX ANYTHING THAT BREAKS THE SAME APPLIES FOR HIS 35 YEAR OLD BROTHER

YOU SEEM TO BE MISSING OUT ON "BEING ONE" WITH A "REAL VEHICLE" LOL!

SHOULD SOMETHING BREAK ON EITHER ONE.I TRY NOT TO LET ANYONE SEE MY TEARS.I GET RIGHT ON IT, BEFORE DEPRESSION SETS IN. THESE ARE MY DAILY DRIVERS

DO YOU HAVE A REPAIR MANUAL FOR YOURS?

DO YOU DIY ANY OF YOUR VEHICLE REPAIRS?

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TRAVEL AND YOUR REPAIR

LET US KNOW WHEN YOU ARE FIXED

THE MEDIC

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