[RESOLVED] Not a happy camper today.

[baker27]

Well, I just got my dsm a couple of months ago for a fun to drive daily driver, and I love it. Great car, fun to drive, nice power when you want it and good fuel efficiency otherwise. Wouldn't have had it any other way. Up until today I have had no real problems, but today when I was going to pay rent for my apartment, I am pretty sure my car experienced the dreaded crankwalk . I was only going about 20 mph at about 2k rpms, if that, and all the sudden when I made my right turn into the parking lot of the main office my engine made a sound like a jackhammer and bogged down rapidly.

Of course I killed it in about a second or two, but I really had no idea what had happened. I thought maybe my ball joint separated and it was all because of that or maybe even transfer case lockup, so I threw the parking brake on and went to inspect everything. Wheel was where it should be, nothing laying on the ground under or behind my car, no fluids dumping out.. Just steam coming off the downpipe (it was raining), and the sound of coolant gurgling that I usually get when I shut it off. So, my next thought was either its the t-case or crankwalk.. I was praying for a t-case failure. So I did what I probably shouldn't have done and turned the car back on to see if the noise was engine or drivetrain and it instantly started making the jackhammer noise again and it got worse quick. It was only on about a second before I turned it back off, but I am pretty sure it is crankwalk (correct me if I am wrong).

I got it towed to my building to park it out of the way and checked the timing belt, thats all fine.. No fluids leaking, It wasn't overheating when it happened and the oil pressure was fine, no lights until it happened.. The clutch didn't do the drop on left turn thing at all leading up to this either.. I have been watching for that. So I guess that I am pretty f***ed, eh?

I think my next course of action is to go get a 6 bolt block and crank and all those other parts from a local junkyard (he quoted the parts at $200! I'm excited about that) and I found an awd 6 bolt flywheel on the classifieds for $40.. used stock, but I don't really have a need for anything more of now. Is there anything I should be worried about besides whats on the Magnus guide to a 6 bolt swap? I don't need a new clutch or tranny/t-case, do I? I just don't want to do this wrong... I was kinda hoping the 7-bolt would live a little longer so I had more time to get acquainted with my engine, but I guess things don't always go the way you want them to and I am going to have to dive right in to this.

Oh well... thats my story, any input would be appreciated. I still love my dsm, btw.. Just need to give her a heart transplant now, hah.

-Adam Baker

 

[crimsonGST]

Yes it would most likely start...and run like dog crap.

 

[baker27]

Doesn't jumping timing usually involve a crappy timing belt or the engine being run hard? I don't really know, I just kinda figured that was how it went. My timing belt is in good shape though (before and after this happened), if that helps diagnose the problem.

Jumping timing usually involves pistons and valves being destroyed, doesn't it? Is it likely that if this is the problem that I can take off the valve cover and see rocker arms lying about, knocked out of place? Otherwise, how do I check this exactly, short of pulling the head? I will be able to pull the head hopefully tomorrow, but I won't be at a garage until then at earliest.

 

[Jeff99GS]

The poor mans way to check for a rod knock is to start the engine. Pull each spark plug wire ONE by ONE. If the knocking STOPS when you pull plug wire #3 then the #3 Rod bearing is spun. If it stops when you pull #1 wire then the #1 rod bearing is bad, and so on. If you pull #1 and the knocking continues then hook the plug wire back up and continue checking the other 3 cylinders.

For a MORE accurate answer just drop the Oil Pan and wiggle the rods up and down.

If you want to check to see if you Jumped Timing simply take a 1/2" rachet and Turn the CRANK pully clockwise till the Timing marks on the cam gears line up....If they DO NOT line up at any point then you jumped time.

You really just have to OPEN that engine up man and look at it. You aren't going to hurt the engine any worse than it already is. We can't tell you what the problem is over the internet, Unless you make a video or something.

DOES YOUR CAR SOUND LIKE THE CAR IN THIS VIDEO?

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[baker27]

I will drop the oil pan then.. I am kinda cautious of starting the engine up again, wouldn't want any more damage to happen than what already has.

I'll go check timing marks right now and see how that all looks.

I know, its just a matter of having no where to work on it here in my apartments parking lot. As soon as I get it home, which should be tomorrow, I will pull the engine and check everything out.

My car does sound like that, thats rod knock, then?

 

[baker27]

So, just to make sure, I checked the timing, and all is well there.. However, when I turned the crankshaft, all the belts came off their pulleys. I got underneath to inspect what exactly was going on and it looks like my crank pulley is broken? I attached some pictures, but I am not 100% sure what happened.. Is this pulley broken or does it just need to be straightened back out?

 

[Jeff99GS]

That's where the knocking is probably coming from. The harmonic dampener seperated. It was wobbling and hitting the Lower timing belt cover. Go Buy a new OEM harmonic Dampener and install it. There is 4 bolts and it comes right off!

 

[baker27]

Holy shit, I am so excited now, haha... I am guessing there is no need to pull the engine for that either? I will find that part and order it then! Thanks for everything guys!

 

[crimsonGST]

Told you it was not a good idea to jump to a conclusion And no, there is no need to pull the motor.

 

[baker27]

Yeah, I guess I spazzed when I heard things getting noisy and freaky.. I have already ordered the part and will have it compliments of napa tomorrow afternoon. Thanks again, for all the help guys.. I would be pulling my engine and taking it all apart this weekend if it wasn't for you guys.

How do you mark a thread [RESOLVED], by the way?

 

[Jeff99GS]

NO need to pull the engine at all...Just jack the car up, put it on a stand take the driverside wheel off and remove the plastic shield. Then you will see four 12mm bolt heads. Hold the crank with the 1/2" rachet and remove the four bolts. The pully will come right out.

You probably should replace your accesory belts while you're at it.

I had this same problem, and it made a knocking sound....but that MIGHT NOT be all of your problems...I don't know. It should NOT sound like the video I posted. Its More of a Random knocking. Hopefully the broken harmonic dampener is your ONLY problem!

 

[baker27]

Well, Either way, I know that this is a problem, so I can at least do this and see where I am from there. I just replaced one of my belts last month, but I will probably replace the other one this time, it needs it. I am really hoping that this is my only problem.. Guess we will see come tomorrow.

 

[Jeff99GS]

Well when Mine went bad IT definately made a knocking sound. so that's probably where the sound is coming from.

Thats why we were all YELLING for you to go outside and Inspect things. Its amazing the stuff you can figure out by inspecting the engine.

If you JUST recently replaced a belt you may have had it TOO tight. That will cause premature wear on the harmonic dampener.

 

[baker27]

Well when Mine went bad IT definately made a knocking sound. so that's probably where the sound is coming from.

Thats why we were all YELLING for you to go outside and Inspect things. Its amazing the stuff you can figure out by inspecting the engine.

If you JUST recently replaced a belt you may have had it TOO tight. That will cause premature wear on the harmonic dampener.

It was raining yesterday all day and I really didn't think there was much I could check for anyways.. I was stuck on the rod bearing idea. Guess I should have a more open mind next time (which I hope isn't too soon).

I know that the belt was on too tight at first because it was making a weird noise, so I loosened it right away. There should be around a quarter inch of play up and down on the belt, right? Thats about what I left it at.. Though I didn't touch the other belt. It could have possibly been too tight from the previous owner or something.. Correct me if I am wrong about the estimated belt tightness.

 

[T is for TURBO]

That's awesome man. Lol, funny thing is, I just bought and AWD 96 Talon for 800 bucks because the guy though his timming jumped, turned out his crank pully broke just like yours and took out the crank sensor!

Good deal man!

 

[baker27]

Wow, that is an incredible deal.. Guess his loss is your gain.

 

[Defiant]

Gosh, so it wasn't crankwalk after all.

Go figure.