Well folks you can add my name to the list of those that have had
to replace the harmonic balancer (HB) or, in my case, have paid to
have it replaced. From the posts in the forum it sounds as though
the usual tip-off for a dying HB is a screeching - like a slipping
belt - at start-up and, in some cases, noticeable wobble. I had
neither of these. For several weeks I had what I would call a
metallic pinging, or ‘tinging’, sound that was worse at cold start
but would generally lessen as things warmed up. The sound was
reminiscent of other vehicles I’ve known when the bearing in an
idler, or tensioning, pulley would disintegrate but of course our
XJ40s don’t have such. Several sessions of peering under the hood
and probing about with my mechanic’s stethoscope failed to detect
the source of the sound. I wondered about the HB but the sound did
not seem to jibe with what others have reported for a failing
part. In a moment of weakness, I suppose, brought on by hours
spent replacing A/C blowers, adjusting door latches, and other
forms of Jag-provided amusement, I took the car to a Jag-certified
mechanic. After removing all three drive belts and I don’t know
what else he diagnosed the failing HB. I ordered in a
remanufactured unit from Motorcars Ltd and am now back on the road
sans noise with my ‘new’ HB, new drive belts, and sitting more
level in the driver seat (due to a flattened wallet). I feel like
a slacker for not diagnosing and fixing this myself, but sometimes
a body just needs a break, you know? Before I boxed up the old HB
to return for the core credit I examined it and couldn’t see any
obvious issues. However, by holding it by the center hub and
tapping the edge against the concrete floor of my garage I was able
to produce the ringing or ‘tinging’ sound.–
Mike Stone - 1994 XJ6/XJ40 - 162,XXX miles
Springfield, Missouri, United States
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In reply to a message from Mike Stone sent Wed 24 Jul 2013:
Been there done that one. I have a rebuilt one that was
done by the doctor and it is still in the box. The salvage
yard replacement was still on the car when the car died.
Poor baby never got her new HB.
My original HB had a massive failure to the point that the
belt wouldn’t pull the water pump. It had been making the
screech at start up but I kept thinking it was a belt problem.
Replacement of the HB is a rather easy thing but believe me,
I really understand the ‘‘sometimes your body needs a break.’’–
The original message included these comments:
belt - at start-up and, in some cases, noticeable wobble. I had
a body just needs a break, you know? Before I boxed up the old HB
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In reply to a message from John S sent Thu 25 Jul 2013:
Couple years ago I was convinced it was a water pump
screeching and replaced it 3 times under warranty. After
that I slightly loosend belt enough to see if I could with
slight belt movement cause the pump to screech, but no
success, BUT as I look down while pulling or rotating the
looser belt my eye caught the belt moving the crank shaft
pulley but not moving the the other pulley adjacent on the
crank. Mystery solved. Half of the harmonic balancer is
attached to the other half with a thin rubber vulcanized the
two together and that is what fails. Removed the large
single bolt and shipped it of to an Oregon rebuilder who
gives lifetime warranty that goes with the car and cheaper
than any other source. Do a search on harmonic balancer and
you can likely find name.–
The original message included these comments:
My original HB had a massive failure to the point that the
belt wouldn’t pull the water pump. It had been making the
screech at start up but I kept thinking it was a belt problem.
Replacement of the HB is a rather easy thing but believe me,
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In reply to a message from LaJagy sent Sun 28 Jul 2013:
Larry is referring to Dale Manufacturing in Salem, Oregon
(www.hbrepair.com). I did not use them because they don’t have
remanufactured units in stock but rather rebuild yours. Because my
car is my daily driver there was a sense of urgency to get it back
on the road soonest. Fascinating Web site, though, and they - it
is a ‘Mom and Pop’ operation have been specializing in HB repair
for 30+ years. It is interesting to see what’s involved in the
rebuild process. They have quite a long list of cars for which
they have rebuilt HBs over the years. Had time not been a factor I
likely would have used them. No affiliation, etc. etc.–
Mike Stone - 1994 XJ6/XJ40 - 162,XXX miles
Springfield, Missouri, United States
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In reply to a message from Mike Stone sent Sun 28 Jul 2013:
Ahh I had a feeling my HB was going on my '93. A weird whiney sound
from the front of the engine that sounds like it is from the water
pump but not detectible with a stethoscope. Also a visual wobble to
the HB.
I might head over to U-Pull and take a peek at a few of the salvage
cars HB’s to see what kind of shape they are in before I send it
off to hbrepair. This is my second Jag so not too much hurry.–
GunnerMan
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In reply to a message from Mike Stone sent Sun 28 Jul 2013:
I used Dale to do mine, I never got it installed before my
car died.
I bought a good used HB and installed it while mine was
getting rebuilt.
If I remember Dale has a lifetime warranty.–
The original message included these comments:
Larry is referring to Dale Manufacturing in Salem, Oregon
remanufactured units in stock but rather rebuild yours. Because my
car is my daily driver there was a sense of urgency to get it back
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Mike - after chasing down what I thought was the a/c clutch or some other bearing, water pump or air pump, alternator etc, I MAY be experiencing the same noise symptoms as you did a few years ago …
I describe the sound in the a/c compressor bearing thread. Do you think that’s what my noise is, the harmonic balancer?
Daily driver here too so not looking forward to sending the part off for rebonding …
Larry what you describe sure sounds like what I experienced when my HB bit the dust. You have obviously read my posts earlier in this thread and so are aware of the fix-it route I chose to minimize the down time of my daily driver.
Going to try the white line tip from Robin to see where that leads - If it does look like it’s moving/buggered, I’m going to try the quick fix method I heard of on some other (non-jag) car forum.
I figure I have nothing to lose by trying, although anyone I’ve spoken to about it immediately scoffs in disbelief …"the big drink of super glue method"
Apparently the poster bathed the seam in a thin type of cyanoacrylate and left it overnight. It re-bonded the balancer and it’s been fine ever since.
I can see it being pulled into the seam with capillary action and it does glue things together awfully well if things are in intimate contact …so makes sense to me.
Whether the $1 store stuff is good enough or I go with the pricey JB, Loctite or Gorilla gipe remains to be seen, but I am going to give it a shot.
My XJ40 at about 65K miles developed a screech at start up and with engine speeds over about 3000 RPM. Not the HB at all but a seized fan clutch that caused such a drag trying to turn the fan at high engine speeds the belt was slipping, Replaced the clutch and all has been fine since.
Just for clarification, Larry’s '94 has the electric cooling fans as did the '93 models. Earlier models still used the belt-driven fans with the clutches.
Aligned or not (maybe It realigned the first time, kinda like winning at roulette?) now there is no doubt, the harmonic balancer is slipping.
We were revving the car this morning and I could see the pulley stop dead then re-spin. Oh well, at least I now know what the problem is …
so theoretically the HB is ok …on to the next possible culprit …