2G Harmonic balancer bolt just came out.

[Jsmo123]

Has anyone just had the harmonic balancer bolt just fly out? My washer remained however the bolt flew out while driving and assuming I've kissed valves. Just curious if anyone has had this happen and how to prevent it a second time.

 

[ChessmoDSM]

You more than likely have bent valves, and to prevent a next time, go with a Fluidampr HB

 

[Tanro]

The harmonic balancer has 4 bolts.

The big one in the middle holds the crank shaft timing gear on.

 

[teamevolution2]

Can't say I have ever seen that happen

 

[Dstarperformance01]

@Tanro is 100% correct. So, if HB is still bolted up but crank bolt came out, you shouldn't have bent valves.

 

[Jsmo123]

Thats the bolt that came out

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

WTF
That is the reason I am yanking my engine. I hope your gear stayed on the key way.....mine did not.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I'll just say it wont happen again.

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[Jsmo123]

I'll just say it wont happen again.

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It did man. But oh well.

 

[pauleyman]

@Tanro is 100% correct. So, if HB is still bolted up but crank bolt came out, you shouldn't have bent valves.

This is not correct. If the center bolt comes out the crank gear and harmonic balancer can both shift together and throw a timing belt. If everything is still together and the timing belt is still on consider yourself lucky and put the bolt back in. Check the mechanical timing and put it back together. If the mechanical timing is off assume the worst and hope for the best.

 

[Dstarperformance01]

This is not correct. If the center bolt comes out the crank gear and harmonic balancer can both shift together and throw a timing belt. If everything is still together and the timing belt is still on consider yourself lucky and put the bolt back in. Check the mechanical timing and put it back together. If the mechanical timing is off assume the worst and hope for the best.

That's what I'm assuming happened @pauleyman by how the op wrote the post . So, my answer is partially correct, yes?

 

[chrysler kid]

Hmm I've never been able to take a harmonic balancer off a 2g without taking off the mount.

I'm not saying the oil pump pulley would keep the belt centered , but it does, ideally if you caught it quickly on a 2g the crank gear should stay relatively in place

 

[pauleyman]

That's what I'm assuming happened @pauleyman by how the op wrote the post . So, my answer is partially correct, yes?

yeah. I assumed from the post he meant center bolt.

 

[Tanro]

If the crank bolt came out, then yeah if the key way is damaged or not in place the HB and timing gear could rotate, they could also slide some way off the end of the crank before they hit the frame rail.

I'd put the bolt back in, remove the spark plugs, and turn the engine by hand until the timing marks line up. Verify timing, then spin the engine over by hand a few times to ensure nothing is binding.

I'd also put some loctite on the bolt, then buy a new one asap. If your bolt is coming out its either because its not torqued down, or it has been stretched by being over torqued.

 

[Boomdeeze]

I've had mine loosen up which caused a metal rattling noise. I caught it before it backed out too far but still a close call! I put Loctite on it and torqued to spec, hasn't moved since!

 

[Jsmo123]

Yeah. I ended up bending every single valve.

 

[Boomdeeze]

That truly sucks, sorry to hear that!

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Look like this??? This is BAD!!!
Locktite and proper torque when it all goes back together. Also bent every valve. Cam gears are in perfect time, crank gear came off the keyway and all hell broke loose!

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[Jsmo123]

Look like this??? This is BAD!!!
Locktite and proper torque when it all goes back together. Also bent every valve. Cam gears are in perfect time, crank gear came off the keyway and all hell broke loose!

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Yeah. Same thing bud. We have the same luck.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

It won't happen again, will it?? At least you can say you heard of it 1 other time. I was coasting down a hill at 55 mph heading to a car show when mine just shut off, no noise. Had 70# of oil pressure for the next 5 seconds or more according to my log, until I pushed in on the clutch. The log even shows me pushin on the gas and letting off then pushing further before I put it in neutral. Got towed home....my son won a trophy though!!!

 

[ChessmoDSM]

Yeah. I ended up bending every single valve.

I win the prize!!! .... Sorry about your misfortune man, when doing a timing belt change on my 24k mi 1G, I had HB fall apart in my hands but no head issues at all... Just lucky I guess!!

 

[bastarddsm]

Usually when the bolt comes loose it ruins the crank. I lightly coat the crank snout with red loctite. I red locktite the stock bolt and torque it to like 100 ft*lbs. I made a tool to hold the crank still so you can get a good torque on it.

 

[Tanro]

Usually when the bolt comes loose it ruins the crank. I lightly coat the crank snout with red loctite. I red locktite the stock bolt and torque it to like 100 ft*lbs. I made a tool to hold the crank still so you can get a good torque on it.

I just put the car in gear and put the wheels on the ground. You can get the torque on it that way.

Or just hit it with 4 or maybe even 5 dakas

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[1990TSIAWDTALON]

We call em Ugga Dugga's, .
Curt, i will be checking the snout, like you mentioned to me back when this first happened and thanks for the tips. I sure ruin's your day when something like 1 bolt takes out 2K of parts or whatever.

 

[bastarddsm]

I just put the car in gear and put the wheels on the ground. You can get the torque on it that way.

Or just hit it with 4 or maybe even 5 dakas

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We call em Ugga Dugga's, .
Curt, i will be checking the snout, like you mentioned to me back when this first happened and thanks for the tips. I sure ruin's your day when something like 1 bolt takes out 2K of parts or whatever.

Both of you take that sloppy shit and shove it right back under the retarded rock it came from. No tolerance for that hacked bullshit. Clearly this is a critical fastener. They get torqued, not impacted.