1990 Century 3.3 V6 Harmonic Balancer
CarDude225
11-05-2006, 08:50 AM
My wife drives a 1990 Buick Century beater with 148,000 miles we have owned since 1999.
On 12/8/01 at 101K, I had to replace the crankshaft's harmonic balancer due to failure at a stop light.
On 7/16/05 at 135K, I had to replace it again (the rubber disintegrated and the pulley failed again).
Now at 148K, I observed some noise when she started the car, and I noticed the HB was somewhat wobbly. When the AC was turned on, the HB became more wobbly. At faster engine speeds, the wobble is less noticable, but you can tell that it is still wobbling (seems like the centripetal force of faster rotation stabilizes the wobbling to some degree).
My question is this: How much wobble is normal?
I picked up a new harmonic balancer yesterday ($118 plut tax, manufacturer Dorman #594-044
UPC 0 19495 02034 9). I don't think I have the right kind of puller, and I don't know how I would "push" the new one on....looking like more of a job than I originally thought, and I am not sure that it even needs to be done so here I am asking for advice.
Thank you.
On 12/8/01 at 101K, I had to replace the crankshaft's harmonic balancer due to failure at a stop light.
On 7/16/05 at 135K, I had to replace it again (the rubber disintegrated and the pulley failed again).
Now at 148K, I observed some noise when she started the car, and I noticed the HB was somewhat wobbly. When the AC was turned on, the HB became more wobbly. At faster engine speeds, the wobble is less noticable, but you can tell that it is still wobbling (seems like the centripetal force of faster rotation stabilizes the wobbling to some degree).
My question is this: How much wobble is normal?
I picked up a new harmonic balancer yesterday ($118 plut tax, manufacturer Dorman #594-044
UPC 0 19495 02034 9). I don't think I have the right kind of puller, and I don't know how I would "push" the new one on....looking like more of a job than I originally thought, and I am not sure that it even needs to be done so here I am asking for advice.
Thank you.
Scrapper
11-05-2006, 09:03 AM
i had trouble on my buick on HMB finaly i got a bearing puller and it came wright off...i borrowed it from a factory...i'm on the 3rd HMB so i went to dealer to get it this time...haven't had a problem yet...GOOD LUCK....
CarDude225
11-05-2006, 01:04 PM
What a total PITA and waste of time this has turned into :banghead: . I like to accomplish things that I set out to do and after 3 trips to area auto stores and about 4 different puller tools, I am still unable to get this HB removed.
Now I will be putting it all back together and hoping it will run long enough to drive it to my mechanic.
If anyone has any insight on removal of the HB from a 1990 Buick Century 6 cyl I would love to know specifically what tool was used.
Now I will be putting it all back together and hoping it will run long enough to drive it to my mechanic.
If anyone has any insight on removal of the HB from a 1990 Buick Century 6 cyl I would love to know specifically what tool was used.
CarDude225
11-06-2006, 11:56 AM
Can anyone recommend a quality & honest harmonic balancer manufacturer?
Also when I tried to remove this HB, the usual 3 bolt holes you would think you could attach 3 bolts to and use your puller on, only 2 of the holes are threaded!
The failed HB manufactured by Dorman, well let's just say, is not the manufacture that will be sitting on the end of my crank anymore.
Thanks!
Also when I tried to remove this HB, the usual 3 bolt holes you would think you could attach 3 bolts to and use your puller on, only 2 of the holes are threaded!
The failed HB manufactured by Dorman, well let's just say, is not the manufacture that will be sitting on the end of my crank anymore.
Thanks!
CarDude225
11-08-2006, 08:16 AM
anyone?
Here are some pics:
http://thealdens.org/Vehicle/1990buickcentury/harmonicbalancer/default.htm
Here are some pics:
http://thealdens.org/Vehicle/1990buickcentury/harmonicbalancer/default.htm
CarDude225
11-12-2006, 08:59 AM
Had my mechanic pull off the confirmed bad wobbly harmonic balancer, and put a new one on.
Case closed.
Case closed.
stoned_pimp420
12-07-2006, 10:22 AM
I'm proud of mine 1990 3300 w/ 209,7xx miles on stock HMB, no wobble no problems no worries!
Scrapper
12-07-2006, 12:48 PM
yes i got 1 of those good motors 3300 in my 1993 buick skylark GS...it's got almost 200000 mls on it and it still runs like a new 1..when you first start it up it's got over 90lbs of oil prs...then when warm drops to 70lbs..so yes good motors...and i just put ne HB on mine 2.....
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