1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
![]() | [Main C900 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Harmonic balancer Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Loud squeak when starting....., ChrisB, Mon, 10 Dec 2001 14:25:54 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
If it squeals like a cat caught in the engine for a few seconds, then is quiet, it could very well be the harmonic balancer, AKA the main pulley. The main pulley is two metal pulleys with rubber sandwiched in the middle. This reduces vibration (hence 'harmonic balancer'). Over time, the rubber breaks down. When you first start the engine, the two pieces spin differently, causing a loud squeal. Over time, the squeal lasts longer and longer.
If this is the problem, it needs to be fixed quickly. If the pulley comes apart, you'll lose all your belts - water pump and alternator, and the car will be undriveable. Sometimes the pulley closest to the engine backs into the oil pump cover and starts to chew through it. Not pretty.
To check, crawl under a cold car and draw a chalk line across the pulley, then start it. If you hear the squeal, shut off the car and crawl back under. If the line no longer lines up, you know it shifted.
The solution is to replace the harmonic balancer with a new one. Not a cheap job (usually about $150 for the part, and a couple of hours of labor). While you're in there, have the main seal and oil pump O-ring replaced. Minimal cost for the seal and O-ring, and labor is also low because most of the work is already done.
Yes, it could be a belt, but I doubt it.
posted by 140.157....
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |