Harmonic Balancer Help needed please

[Shaz77]

Hi I'm looking at buying a VN manual wagon. It's not registered or roadworthy so I'm not expecting a dynamite car. When I rang him he said the harmonic balancer needs replacing and he's got one there to go into it. He also said he doesn't know a whole lot about it but he thinks the seal might of gone too.

I'm researching for some info on replacing the balancer & seal and am slowly figuring out what's involved in doing that but I'm wanting some advice as to what other damage this might of caused or what to look for when I go to look at it.

Any help would be appreciated
Shaz xoxo

[E-T-H-A-N]

ive always heard its a pretty big job to do the seal, the blancer itself is a peice of piss, you may aswell do the crank angle sensor while your behind there too its only about $25 worth.

[Shaz77]

Ok, thanks E-T-H-A-N if it's not too much hassle do you mind if I ask why? I know absolutely nothing about any of this and if I don't ask I don't learn

[E-T-H-A-N]

oh well because basically the crank angle sensor sends a signal to the computer and its in charge of regulating spark plug fire, chances are if the balancer needs to be changed the crank angle sensor wont be too far off, and i think once you pull a harmonic balancer off it stays off. so for the hassle of $25 and an extra 10 minutes work you might save yourself alot more in the long run. haha thats exactly right.

[Shaz77]

Ah brilliant thank you so much Will chuck another one in when we get her done

[E-T-H-A-N]

haha no worrys.

[VNVacationer]

The crankshaft seal is not that difficult if you have the right tools. You remove the balancer, remove the radiator fan and shroud assembly and using the special tool, GMH no E308, pluck the seal out.

Then using a nylon hammer and tool No J28540 (basically pushes the seal in square) install the new seal, then reinstall the balancer, fan and shroud. The tool to remove the seal looks like a hooked pick but I suppose you could improvise or get a mechanic, depends on your cash flow.

Cheers

[Brett_jjj]

All you have to do is very carefully lever the old seal out of the timing cover with a screwdriver, and then gently tap the new one back in.Too easy..

[mr calais 5.0]

+1 for the screwdriver and nice and easy too.. Is it a v6 or v8?

[Morton]

Head down to your nearest parts store and ask for an RG brand oil seal remover. They're about ten bucks, and look like a double sided axe with curved picks on them. Perfect for levering out old seals, and won't damage the flush mounting face. Screwdrivers work, but they're not ideal on an old hardened neoprene seal

Then pick a large tube of appropriate size to slide over the new seal face and knock the bugger back in.

protip: always helps to lube up the new seal with a bit of oil first to stop it grabbing and bending.

[Shaz77]

Thanks guys I acutally didn't end up buying that Wagon. The only thing wrong with it was the harmonic balancer. I wanted a project car to do up and I know myself too well if it was working in fairly good condition I wouldn't of stripped it to bits. I ended up buying another wagon that is absolutely terrible (body is fairly straight) but this way I'm not going to be scared to strip it down & gut it and start from scratch. I'm still regretting not getting this wagon because I know the one I ended up getting needs a lot of work done to it but I know it's for the best. I had big plans for my VR but when push came to shove I couldn't bring myself to pull apart a perfectly good working car at least this way I have to.

[joeallen]

My crank angle sensor cost $75 from autobarn but I have a series 2. I replaced it after the balancer failed a year earlier. To get the balancer bolt off use a long breaker bar, put if under the frame, and tap the key to start for just a quick second. To put the balancer bolt back on tightly, you need an air powered ratchet gun.