Harmonic Balancer? Is the dealer taking me for a ride?

[cardboardboxman]

Ok. First post here but very impressed with the other threads. wish I would have found this two years ago.

I bought this from my wifes grandma and was warned it was a lemon but figured I could take care of anything. 2 months later the ac compressor seized and snapped the belt. replaced that and the power steering pump rotors, brakes and few other odds and ends. The power steering pump still growls like crazy and if performing a U turn or sharp turn with acceleration it stalls.

6 months later started to experience moments of a loss of power/speed with rpms staying roughly the same for 5-30 seconds while driving. It progressivly got worse to the point of having it floored and only being able to creep forward. after a few days it would stall right after turning over and finally would not turn over. I do not remember if it cranked or not.

Asking around I have been told it has a bad tranny (which has been leaking for years) or a bad catalytic converter. I inspected both visually and rented an autozone diagnostic computer. It threw codes of a few cylinder misfires.

I was at a loss. I had it towed to the dealer and they diagnosed it as being a faulty harmonic balancer. Which I now know is basically the crankshaft pulley.

They quoted me $775.00 parts and service. but have to order it in. I found one at Autozone locally for $164.00 and one at Pepboys for $129.00. The dealer will install it for me but not warranty it.

I don't know if a "wobbly" crankshaft pully/harmonic balancer could cause it not to start. I have been told it couldn't and I am being ripped off, but I have been told that it may be messing with the crankshaft censor and it is not relaying the info to the computer and it is messing with it.

I remember sing that wobble as I checked the engine from time to time. It was a considerable wobble. ANy help or advice is appreciated. I don't have access to the tools or the father inlaw who has helped me in the past to do it alone. If the dealer being square or screwing me over.?

[vindctar]

Check rockauto.com or NAPA for the part...better quality. Have the dealer put it in and then get rid of the car. Goodluck.

[Charlie]

Quick question..how much does it cost to rent the diagnostic computers? Is it free with a security deposit, gotten back on return, or do they charge per day or something?

[mark v]

Cylinder misfires are because of bad spark plugs usually, when was the last tune-up, how many miles?

I cant see how a harmonic balancer would do this either.

[quark_man]

I'd say that you are being taken for a ride by the dealer. most expensive part for an apparent issue. change the spark plug, check out if you have vaccuum, check the cables to the plugs, check the ignition.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by cardboardboxman

...I remember s(ee)ing that (harmonic balancer) wobble as I checked the engine from time to time. It was a considerable wobble...

Your balancer does need to be replaced. The dealer price seems high. Labor should be less than $300. What kind of warranty as the dealer offering if you used "genuine Ford" parts ?

P.S. The catalyst comment is a "red herring".

P.P.S. If the trans is leaking, it will die, probably sooner than later. Misfire may simply be you need new plugs.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Quick question..how much does it cost to rent the diagnostic computers? Is it free with a security deposit, gotten back on return, or do they charge per day or something?

Most big auto parts store (like AutoZone, etc) will do it free in their parking lot if they are not real busy.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by mark v

I cant see how a harmonic balancer would do this either.

Well we don't know what year vehicle it is or what engine, but IIRC, some engines available in Windstar may use a cranshaft position sensor which pickup us a signal from a toothed wheel attached to the harmonic balancer. (I could be wrong; many variables including shakey memory !)