300tdi crank

[synthium]

Hi everyone.
Had the harmonic balancer on my 300tdi defender stop spinning. Took it to the mechanic and apparently need a new crank. The crank bolt had come loose but wrecked the inside and end of the crank. My fault really did the timing about 20000ks ago. The defender is at 260000kms. Must not have tightened it enough. Anyway options are replace the crank or new motor. Both expensive and about half the value of the defender - which has no value not running)I don't have the time to do myself or the skill (with enough time I could probably but new baby so not an option). I have read varying opinions on spot welding the balancer on. Obviously may be difficult to get it off when a reason to do so will invariable turn up (or 80000ks for next timing belt - I would replace it before doing this).

Anyway would like to hear some opinions on this. Am I just asking for more pain? Would spot welds hold? If I decide to sell it later I would have to disclose that this had been done due to my ethics. I haven't seen the damage myself yet so I can't provide pics or much detail. As usual these things happen at the worst times!
Thanks!

[bee utey]

Personally I'd avoid any thought of welding, just get a new balancer and install it using Loctite 620 retaining compound or any similar type of shaft repair goo, then do the bolt up properly. See any bearing shop for that kind of product. The 300TDi that I fitted to a mate's RRC had a loose balancer with some shaft wear, the new balancer has been on no probs for the last 6 months and it's been in daily use.

[synthium]

Thanks bee utey. I will look into that. Appreciate the advice. I'm hoping to get it running a little longer before I go down the rebuild pathway!

[PAT303]

I'd use studs if all else fails,don't weld. Pat

[synthium]

Hi pay what do you mean by studs? Like a grub screw into the shaft?

[roverrescue]

Can you post a picture of the nose of the crank

One option is if the crank nose is salvageable
at 180* to the original woodruff grind/dremel/scratch a new key way and then install and new harmonic with new key and use some lokite-magico to ensure a good fit. Tighten bolt and move on.

If the crank nose truly is fubar then I would think that truly aligning and welding on the harmonic would be a recipe for failure.

There is always a way ;) photos will help us sketchy & dodgy mechanics come up with the way

steve

[synthium]

Hi roverrescue. The tow forgot to pick up the fender today so it'll be home tomorrow. Il have pics up ASAP! Thanks

[workingonit]

Need to see a photo of your damage.

As for me I bought a disco 1 tdi where the balancer had 'worried' the key way channel before shearing the key itself.

The key way was worn on the pressure side. The other side of the keyway was as originally manufactured.

Along the lines of what roverrescue suggests, I widened and reformed the damaged part of the key way with a dremel cutting disk.

I then put in a standard key against the undamaged side. The remaining gap I filled with a bit of filed down scrap metal, flush to the surface of the crank. I then used liquid metal to fill any other gap, and to glue the filed metal in place. Been good ever since.

The timing belt key was unaffected by the lack of nose bolt pressure - my guess is the small size/lack of mass reduces the chance of damage.

If your crank has been tapered for example, you could try building it up with liquid metal and hand shaping it to approx round then bolt the balancer to the specified torque. It's the bolt that really does the job. Under force of the bolt the balancer will try to position itself correctly against the flat of the timing cog, despite any out of roundness with hand shaped liquid metal. From my experience with the harmonic balancers in Disco 1's they don't seem to be properly concentric anyway. Worth trying a self fix if faced with new crank/engine. Regarding an engine you should be able to get one second hand relatively cheaply.

[Cgoo]

Mine did the same I glued it with bearinglocktite and used 2 washers to stop the bolt bottoming out. It's been good for another 60k

[wrinklearthur]

I can spare a crank that would clean up enough to replace yours, I must warn you that it has some surface rust and would need some work to clean it up and at the least needs linishing if not a regrind.

And if you twist my arm a little I could find a harmonic balancer and key as well to go with it.

PM me if you are interested and don't forget to use our AULRO courier service to get it over to you.

[synthium]

I can spare a crank that would clean up enough to replace yours, I must warn you that it has some surface rust and would need some work to clean it up and at the least needs linishing if not a regrind.

And if you twist my arm a little I could find a harmonic balancer and key as well to go with it.

PM me if you are interested and don't forget to use our AULRO courier service to get it over to you.

Thank you very much! I haven't had a chance to look at the damage yet, car in the driveway but work and baby mean no time at the moment! I will assess it soon and put up some pics. Engine out job while might be necessary I am hoping to avoid due to my time constraints

[synthium]

Just to conclude this thread I have ended up getting the mechanics to replace the crank. It really was a mess and the timing gear was screwed. The beast is still in the shop but the prognosis is good. Thanks everyone

[slug_burner]

So what still no pictures?

Glad your getting it sorted.