Need help under my hood

[Rufio]

i dont have the most extensive knowledge of engines and i need some help with my current problem. this rubber like gasket type thing has been sticking out of my pulley and i took it in to get it looked at and the shop said it was my "harmonic dampener / balancer" so i whent out and took some pics tell me what u guys think...... is this a big problem? is it easy to fix? it has a chunk taken out of it from hitting my fan blade, and its almost touching my fan blade now :gonnablow


http://tinypic.com/t0qbzo.jpg

http://tinypic.com/t0qc7o.jpg


heres some more pics see if theese help

http://i2.tinypic.com/t0rl13.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/t0rle8.jpg

[Jeep914x4]

Can't tell much from your pics. They are a little blurry but from your description it sounds like shop is right. If you don't replace it that rubber part will work loose and the metal ring it's holding on will be loose. It's pretty important to fix I would say.

It's funny, the first thing that ever gave out on my XJ was the harmonic balance. It's not too bad of a job. My uncle helped me with it so I don't exactly remember what all is involved.

[85xj350]

You sould get this changed it could come apart and damage your engine.You need puller to take it off you can get one at your local parts store.

[5-90]

It's time to replace your harmonic damper. Should be about $50 for a replacement part. You'll also want a "harmonic damper puller," (should be about $20,) and a longish 1/2"-20 bolt, a nut, and washers to reinstall. Ideally, don't get the bolt - get about four inches of 1/2"-20 threaded rod...

You don't want to hammer on the thing - no point in wrecking it while you're installing it.

You can trim the rubber protruding to get you to payday, but make damn sure you get a new one on payday, or get it replaced. See if someone here local to you is willing to help for beer - he may have the tools, and it's about two hours if you know what you're about.

Don't let it go past payday tho - "ring walk" (where the outer ring walks toward or away from the engine) is a very real issue. If the ring walks outwards, you could lose the main drive pully. If the ring walks inwards, you could lose the timing cover (that aluminum cover right behind it.)

You'd be well advised to change the front main seal - you'll be there anyhow, and it's an extra two minutes.

Do remember that the HD is located on the crank snout with a Woodruff key - make sure you line the keyway up before you put the HD back on, or you'll shear the key. The 4.0 is "internally balanced" (meaning, it doesn't rely on offset weight at either end of the crank) and will run just fine with the HD "off-key," but there's no reason to wreck it, and if you ever use a timing light on it, you'll get some weird results if it's "off-key." Don't ask how I know...

Oh - by the by, that rubber sticking out isn't a "gasket" - it's an integral part of the HD. The device is meant to reduce vibration created inside the engine, and the rubber between the hub and the inertia ring (the outer part) allows for the damper to absorb those vibrations so they won't cause trouble elsewhere. Wear and "squidging" (technical term) of the rubber ring in between those two parts is a natural result of the vibration.

5-90

[Rufio]

ok thank you guys

[87manche]

make sure you go over your serp belt well too, a HD going bad tends to let the belt walk and eats them up.

[Rufio]

make sure you go over your serp belt well too, a HD going bad tends to let the belt walk and eats them up.

lol it already has :)

its took some strands off it, i have another belt i just dont wanna put it on tell i change the harmonic balancer