Thread: Bush mechanics TD5 harmonic balancer track side repair

Originally Posted by sierrafery

IMO it's not about how LR imoproved the harmonic balancer's quality but about the fact that the Td5 is the only 5 cylinder engine with 4 glow plugs and the stress for the balancer is greater than on other engines especially on cold starts.

Even in a warm climate?
I don't ever recall my TD5 not starting immediately summer or winter, and don't even know if my glow plugs are operative.

Five cylinder engines have a couple of weird harmonic periods from what I remember, hence the factory rocking balancer.

Originally Posted by rick130

Five cylinder engines have a couple of weird harmonic periods from what I remember, hence the factory rocking balancer.

I thought that too but the Ross Balancer seems more conventional but seems not to have any issues

I often wonder whether a neglected failing Viscous fan bearing, idler bearing, compressor bearing or ACE pump hasten the demise of the Harmonic balancer by placing an extra load on it.

I wonder if there is any difference in failure rate among those cars without ACE vs cars with it

It seems to me the more axial load on the rubber the quicker it would deteriorate. I only run the aircon in summer to lessen the load.

I check my idlers etc every service by removing the fan and belt and spinning them all.

Mine has done 194KK and has had a little squeak on shutdown for the last 5 years..
Regards Philip A

I know neglected pulleys etc etc take put V8 belt driven water pumps early

Hmm, good point.

I had the idler pulley bearing seize last year in the middle of the Flinders and it locked the engine solid.
Poly vee belts have an enormous about of grip!
Chris the mechanic in Hawker said he'd seen that break the aluminium pulley mount clean off, so a hell of a load would've gone through the bonded rubber in the balancer too

Originally Posted by djam1

I thought that too but the Ross Balancer seems more conventional but seems not to have any issues

So the engine feels nice and smooth right through the rev range Duane?

Yea I think it is
It is a Defender after all