That's your harmonic balancer. It sounds like it's comin apart. I wouldn't drive the car. You should get it replaced. You can see it the four 12mm bolts are tight. There are 4 around the squre in the middle.
Good Luck

What would happen if it were to break while I was driving? I really dont have a choice I have to get to school and work.

Anyways is it hard to replace?

Well, you lose all your accessories. Your alternator, water pump and power steering. If you have any other option and it's as bad as you say, take the option. You could end up walking which is the best case scenario, or you could suddenly lose power steering which is the worst case scenario. In between is the water pump which can cause overheating.

Replace it. I would also look at your belts. This would be a good time to replace them also. It's not all that difficult to replace the harmonic balancer. The ac belt probably will give you the most trouble if you replace it due to the fact you have to take off that darn tensioner to get the belt off and on. Other than that it's not too bad.

Good Luck

Thanks the for reply. Anyone know anyplace that I can walk into a purchase a harmonic balancer, because advance, pepboys, and autozone all seem to be online order only. And I would like to do this tomorrow.

Old Mitsu Tech said:

Well, you lose all your accessories. Your alternator, water pump and power steering. If you have any other option and it's as bad as you say, take the option. You could end up walking which is the best case scenario, or you could suddenly lose power steering which is the worst case scenario. In between is the water pump which can cause overheating.

Replace it. I would also look at your belts. This would be a good time to replace them also. It's not all that difficult to replace the harmonic balancer. The ac belt probably will give you the most trouble if you replace it due to the fact you have to take off that darn tensioner to get the belt off and on. Other than that it's not too bad.

Good Luck

Click to expand...

Worse case scenerio, pulley eatting into the lower timing belt cover knocking debri into the timing belt.

Anyone know anyplace that I can walk into a purchase a harmonic balancer, because advance, pepboys, and autozone all seem to be online order only. And I would like to do this tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Any DSM shops in your area? BTW do not turn the crank CCW EVER, hope you have not done so already trying to loosen the center bolt.

You will find that you need a new lower front cover as well.

Hey guys I have another quick question, I have the four out bolts off ready to replace the harmonic balancer, but it seems that the bigger center bolt is stopping the balancer from coming off, and I know its real bad to pull it off as it is connected to the crankshaft, so my question is just how do I get this off? Thanks fro the help in advance.

It's been a little while since I've been in to a 4g63 but if I'm not mistaken the center bolt does not come out. It's only the 4 12mm's that do. If it's not moving then it's just seized on there a little. You should spray a small amount of rust penetrant or PB blaster in the center section and LIGHTLY tap side to side on the outer edge of the pulley to get the stuff to work in to the crack. If worse comes to worse you will have to hold the inner section of the pulley while breaking loose the big center bolt. Be careful not to damage the timing cover behind the pulley.
Doug

TooFastTooG said:

Hey guys I have another quick question, I have the four out bolts off ready to replace the harmonic balancer, but it seems that the bigger center bolt is stopping the balancer from coming off, and I know its real bad to pull it off as it is connected to the crankshaft, so my question is just how do I get this off? Thanks fro the help in advance.

Click to expand...

No it isn't, the only thing holding the pulley in place are those 4 bolts. Tap it lightly from all sides with a rubber mullet and it should come loose.

Late as usual.

, tap it with a rubber mullet.

Thanks for the help guys! I'll be going home in about two hours from class and am going to give it a shot. I did just try to pull on it and an outer ring actually did come off but the rest stayed on (guess that shows just how bad the balancer actually was). I kinda dont have a car right now since mine is the gargage waiting for this work to be done, so I was wondeing if I could just use some good ol' WD-40 to get into the rust to make it become more loose.

TooFastTooG said:

so I was wondeing if I could just use some good ol' WD-40 to get into the rust to make it become more loose.

Click to expand...

Yes, WD40 should work, did you check the condition of the lower timing belt cover like defiant suggested?

oldman said:

Yes, WD40 should work, did you check the condition of the lower timing belt cover like defiant suggested?

Click to expand...

I did check the cover, and everything seems to be ok.

I am a little worried, becuase like I said earlier, I was forced to drive the car becuase my parents were on vactation and it was just me at home and I had to get to school/work. I was just driving around with an annoying tapping sound. Ofcourse I drove it only when I absolutley had to.

When I was headed to school a couple days ago, the belt finally came off . A Few warning lights came in the car and I lost power stearing, I IMMEDIATELY shut the car off (seeing as how was only about 5 houses down). Got out, and check and the harmonic balancer was still on the car, only the belt looked like it had slid off. I got the car towed to my uncles ( has a big heated garage) inspeced for any damage, and I couldnt find any apparent damage.

I took the top timing belt cover off and everything is okay, and also inspected the lower timing belt cover and found no crack or breaks. Even the belt that came off was still ok not crack or breaks there ethier. So from what I know there looks to be no damage to the car from this, I only drove it for literally like 2 seconds after the belts came off, and it has not been started since, it will be tonight though since I am replacing the balancer.

Is there anything else that I should inspect? From Old Mitsu Tech's earlier post like he said the only thing that happend from this was I lost my accesories for the time being. (Of course I am not driving it like this.)

Do you have all the belts tightened? Stupid questions just thought you might wanna check. Could be something as stupid as that..

TooFastTooG said:

Is there anything else that I should inspect? From Old Mitsu Tech's earlier post like he said the only thing that happend from this was I lost my accesories for the time being. (Of course I am not driving it like this.)

Click to expand...

And he's correct, the only thing you need to look out for is that driving around with the pulley separated can cause the pulley to rub against the timing belt cover. If the lower timing belt cover looks good, you should be good to go.

phillabaum03 said:

Do you have all the belts tightened? Stupid questions just thought you might wanna check. Could be something as stupid as that..

Click to expand...

As stated in my oringal post its was one of my pullies, which I later learned was the harmonic balancer is blown. It was moving back and forth knocking up against another part of the engine, causing a loud tapping noise. If the belts were just loose they would squeek like all hell. Thanks for the input though.

Way back I had a 92 TSI that the Rubber inside the Pulleys edges seperated and it was also moving back-forth finally the Alt belt took off. I would order a new OEM balancer and replace the belts as they could of been glazed a bit from undertightening or stretching from this movement. Rockville Mitsu has good prices PM if you need there website.

TooFastTooG said:

I did check the cover, and everything seems to be ok.

I am a little worried, becuase like I said earlier, I was forced to drive the car becuase my parents were on vactation and it was just me at home and I had to get to school/work. I was just driving around with an annoying tapping sound. Ofcourse I drove it only when I absolutley had to.

When I was headed to school a couple days ago, the belt finally came off . A Few warning lights came in the car and I lost power stearing, I IMMEDIATELY shut the car off (seeing as how was only about 5 houses down). Got out, and check and the harmonic balancer was still on the car, only the belt looked like it had slid off. I got the car towed to my uncles ( has a big heated garage) inspeced for any damage, and I couldnt find any apparent damage.

I took the top timing belt cover off and everything is okay, and also inspected the lower timing belt cover and found no crack or breaks. Even the belt that came off was still ok not crack or breaks there ethier. So from what I know there looks to be no damage to the car from this, I only drove it for literally like 2 seconds after the belts came off, and it has not been started since, it will be tonight though since I am replacing the balancer.

Is there anything else that I should inspect? From Old Mitsu Tech's earlier post like he said the only thing that happend from this was I lost my accesories for the time being. (Of course I am not driving it like this.)

Click to expand...

I guess in a nut shell, I was trying to say if you lose your crank pulley, you lose your power steering among other things. Personally I didn't want to read about you taking out a bus load of nuns because you couldn't steer around.

It's only a pulley, but it's the lynch pin of all of your accessories. If it goes, you are technically stranded. You can only go as far as the engine will allow before it overheats.

That was the point I was trying to make. I apologize if I didn't get it across.

Hey guys just an update, I got done with the work tonight and everything went well! Car is now running like its good ol' self. Thanks so much for all of your guys help, as I know for sure you have saved me from paying labor of any sort to somebody. If your guys lived around me, id buy ya a case of beer! Thanks again!

Since we're on the topic, has anyone tried the Fluidampr harmonic balancer yet? Any feedback on it? I need a new one as well, mine is 180K old and starting to separate. I know that they usually don't have much of a power gain, but the reliability factor is important to me.

I would like to know about it as well. Mine just blew tonight. Took a turn, and I hear this pop noise, battery light/brake light turn on, and PS goes. Come home, my belt is torn up beyond belief. Haven't gotten to check the balancer yet. Will do in 30 seconds.

So, I need a new balancer and belt, correct?

Fayt, you do know this thread is exaclty 1 year old dont you? I dont blame you though, the dates are close enough....

Yes, you'll need a new balancer and belt, but it wouldnt hurt to replace all the belts at the same time.

So what does happen if you turn the Crank Counter-Clockwise?

Just because your belt broke does not necessarily condemn your harmonic balancer. There are a number of things that can cause a broken belt. A bad belt of course, seized/worn bearings in the water pump, alternator, or of course a crank pulley. I would go as far as replacing the crank pulley unless you know there is damage to it (ex. the pulley is separated). i would replace the belt then watch for the culprit...Watch for any of the pulleys moving in and out, noise etc. Im not sure exactly what your belt rides on as im stuck with a 1.8, so things maybe different...