Engine Vibrations

[Willicuddy]

Car is a 1996 Tsi AWD
Newish clutch and clutch fork (3000 kms)

-The vibrations are coming from the engine.

-The car vibrates when in gear or in neautral.

-Vibrates at idle 700-900 rpms.

-Goes smooth, then the vibrations come back at about 3800 rpms and continue to redline.

-Doesn't matter if I am on the boost or not.

-I can feel the vibrations coming from the steering wheel/shifter/pedals

Need some help narrowing down the problem

 

[Wicked96GS-T]

Does the car have balance shafts in it? Have you replaced the timing belt recently?

 

[Willicuddy]

The car does have balance shafts in it.

The car is at 134k kms

The timing belt job was done by the previous owner at 120k kms

BTW, how likely is it that the BS shaft could come out of alingment without snapping the belt and without causing any divability issues besides the vibrations?

 

[Wicked96GS-T]

It's very possible the previous owner did not properly line up the balance shaft when he put the new belt on, which will cause lots of vibrations. You may want to check the vfaq.com site and double check all of the work.

 

[talonracr19]

Hey, balance shafts are probably the prime culprate, I have a 92 talon tsi awd, and revving the engine around 4k, it starts to have heavy vibration. If possible, for HP, and without the possiblity of breaking stuff, SBR balance shaft eliminator; harder install well good luck

 

[girlieracr4g63]

I say balance shaft or bad motor mounts..


Wendy

 

[weith1111]

I say balance shaft or bad motor mounts..


Wendy

Second that, make sure all the mounts are torqued down and not falling apart. If that isn't the problem then tear into the balance shafts

 

[Willicuddy]

Alright guys, thx for the replies.........

I will check out the mounts and balance shaft tomorrow

BTW, do you think it could be possible that the Harmonic balancer is on its way out?? Im not hearing any squeeking, but i did notice some wear on my AC belt??

 

[talonracr19]

Well I had a crank damper go bad on my DSM, and it wasnt like a lighter vibration like balance shafts, it was knockin around...### what happenes, the damper rots out, and then starts sloppin around, I work at a dealership, and they are about $145 list. well good luck

 

[Willicuddy]

So turns out the BS belt was shredded. I guess that would be considered lucky since it didn't take out the T-Belt.

But, im scratching my head looking at a receipt that I got from the previous owner saying that the T-Belt and Water pump were all replaced at 126,000 kms. The car is at 134,000 kms and the BS belt went. I guess they never changed it in the first place (they must have never heard of a 4g63 Timing Belt "kit"). And to top it off the Water pump that was changed less then 10k kms ago is leaking, WTF.

Anyways, lesson of the story is if you want the job done right do it yourself or get someone you really trust do it.

 

[Willicuddy]

Gonna keep the shafts in for the time being. I will get rid of them when I build the bottom end, but until then I prefer having less vibrations.

 

[weith1111]

Vibration increase from removing the BS is barely noticeable. If you've even been in a cammed small block chevy, this is nothing in comparison. FYI...

 

[Willicuddy]

Ive had a 4g63 with BS removed, I know what the vibrations feel like. Im mostly just not interested in the extra work.

But if the BS belt does snap on me or something within the next six months, then I guess you can say "I told you so",

 

[weith1111]

But if the BS belt does snap on me or something within the next six months, then I guess you can say "I told you so",

That's really the best reason to do it. Reduction in rotational mass, weight savings, blah blah. I was just concerned about it breaking and taking out the timing belt. As far as I'm concerned, the fewer moving parts in that area the better.

 

[cumpersgsx]

i was gonna say it was the damper but now it just looks like a dsm nightmare...SNAP

 

[Wicked96GS-T]

Ive had a 4g63 with BS removed, I know what the vibrations feel like. Im mostly just not interested in the extra work.

But if the BS belt does snap on me or something within the next six months, then I guess you can say "I told you so",

Good to hear that you found the problem. Just replace the belt and make sure everything is lined up correctly and you should e good to go .