Engine off balance
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kentucky
Snipped from that article:
This is where the harmonic balancer comes in. The circular device, made of rubber and metal, is bolted at the front end of the crankshaft to help absorb vibrations. It's usually connected to the crank pulley, which drives accessories like the air conditioner. The rubber inside the pulley is what actually absorbs the vibrations and keeps them at a safe level. In essence, the device is designed to help prevent crankshaft failure. It's also sometimes called a "dampener."
I asked the OP to check the base timing as a way to determine if the harmonic balancer has signs of a slipped outer ring. If the timing appears to be way off that is a sign the outer ring slipped, which is another sign the rubber portion of the harmonic balancer is most likely aged. Deteriorated rubber will not absorb as much harmonics/vibration which initially exactly what the OP stated they had. Later on, after I suggested the timing check, they came back with additional information. Based on the response and the photos it appears to me the outer ring has slipped, which implies the rubber is bad. My statement is fix what you know is not working correctly instead of going down yet another bunny hole of replacing parts.
David has suggested to do another simple test to check the outer ring of the balancer since the base timing is pointing to a bad harmonic balancer. All valid troubleshooting steps in my opinion.
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While some harmonic dampers may have counterweights attached, most are simply there to deal with torsional and resonance vibrations, not out of balance rotating components. If the balancer has slipped, it would not cause the vibration the OP is talking about.
And being out of time would not cause a "come and go" vibration.
While the OP may need a new balancer, he needs to continue to research the issue.
Unless the balancer is to the point of coming apart and has gone all wobbly, phasing in and out of wobble, nearing the point of coming apart and spitting parts into the radiator, through the hood and oil pan, possibly killing or injuring nearby livestock or wildlife.
And being out of time would not cause a "come and go" vibration.
While the OP may need a new balancer, he needs to continue to research the issue.
Unless the balancer is to the point of coming apart and has gone all wobbly, phasing in and out of wobble, nearing the point of coming apart and spitting parts into the radiator, through the hood and oil pan, possibly killing or injuring nearby livestock or wildlife.
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So I ended up getting a new balancer and taking the old one off. It definitely slipped. The rubber is dry rotted and it was moving as I was trying to take the timing pulse ring off of it. Which brings up my next question. I ordered a new balancer and there is no where for the pulse ring to mount too. So what do I do? Everywhere I looked at doesn’t sell an exact match to the original. Is the pulse ring essential to the engine or can I install the balancer without the pulse ring?
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So I ended up getting a new balancer and taking the old one off. It definitely slipped. The rubber is dry rotted and it was moving as I was trying to take the timing pulse ring off of it. Which brings up my next question. I ordered a new balancer and there is no where for the pulse ring to mount too. So what do I do? Everywhere I looked at doesn’t sell an exact match to the original. Is the pulse ring essential to the engine or can I install the balancer without the pulse ring?
Copied from another site--
I have a 1996 Ford F150 xlt truck, 5.0L. The harmonic balancer wore out. We cannot find, ANYWHERE an exact replacement because Ford stopped making them and everyone I goto (Autozone, NAPA, Checker Auto, etc., etc., etc) all give us the same one which does not match the one we took off (there is no pulse ring which I guess also serves as a crankshaft position sensor. So, when we installed the one NAPA delivered, the truck seemed to run well, but the check engine light came on. Checking the code it was crankshaft sensor-not surprising since this balancer didn't have the ring. What can we do to resolve this ? If we leave this one on, will it cause mechanical problems with my truck's engine or transmission? I have attached a photo of the harmonic balancer removed from the truck and we cannot find another one
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I want to install the pulse ring on the new balancer but it’s impossible because there is nowhere to install it on the new one. The ring sends a signal to the crankshaft position sensor/misfire sensor. The new one I bought doesn’t have a place to mount the ring on it. I’ll post pictures to better explain it
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All of the new harmonic balancers I’ve seen online look exactly the same as the one I bought but it’s doesnt look the same as my old one
The arrow is pointing to where the ring was installed on the old one. There’s nothing like that on the new one for the ring to mount to
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I’ve looked at damperdudes.net and found a balancer with the pulse ring mounted to it but they offer 3 different ones so I guess I need to find out which one is a direct fit for mine. I’m still curious as to how essential that pulse ring/misfire ring is and if it’s crucial to have for the engine to run like it should?
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From: Central Mississippi
I was told the ring is for a mis-fire sensor by a member here.
Rock shows nothing but Pioneer replacements for a 96 F-150, BUT...
Look at this for a 96 Explore with 5.0:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...119664&jsn=539
May not line up correctly since the front dress is different.
Rock shows nothing but Pioneer replacements for a 96 F-150, BUT...
Look at this for a 96 Explore with 5.0:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...119664&jsn=539
May not line up correctly since the front dress is different.
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I’ve looked at damperdudes.net and found a balancer with the pulse ring mounted to it but they offer 3 different ones so I guess I need to find out which one is a direct fit for mine. I’m still curious as to how essential that pulse ring/misfire ring is and if it’s crucial to have for the engine to run like it should?
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https://damperdoctor.com/index.php?r...product_id=773
Shows yours but "out of stock". Worth a phone call.
We know it will run without the ring but will give OP an CEL.
Shows yours but "out of stock". Worth a phone call.
We know it will run without the ring but will give OP an CEL.
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The pioneer balancer doesn’t work. Has anyone ever sent in their old one to damper doctor to get it rebuilt? I got a quote and it costs the same to get it rebuilt as it does to buy a new one.
None of the places a checked out have it in stock and the only reply I got was from damper doctor and they suggested to send in my old one to get it rebuilt
None of the places a checked out have it in stock and the only reply I got was from damper doctor and they suggested to send in my old one to get it rebuilt