A damper pulley, commonly known as a crankshaft pulley, is a pulley mounted at the front end of the crankshaft. It drives the acces- sory belts, which in turn drive the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump etc. ... The simple pulley has a damping effect on crankshaft stresses .
How does a harmonic balancer pulley work?
The job of the balancer is to help eliminate these harmonics before the cause problems . The circular device, made of rubber and metal, is bolted at the front end of the crankshaft to help absorb vibrations. ... The rubber inside the pulley is what actually absorbs the vibrations and keeps them at a safe level.
What is the function of damper in an engine?
A device fitted to an engine crankshaft to suppress or reduce the stresses resulting from torsional vibration .
What is the difference between a harmonic balancer and a damper?
The two terms are used interchangeably, but technically they have different functions. A balancer adds weight to help (externally) balance the lower rotating assembly of an engine , while a damper, quells the vibrations during crankshaft vibration which occur as a function of the combustion process.
How does a crankshaft pulley work?
A crankshaft pulley powers components on the crankshaft. Crankshafts are responsible for driving the car wheels . Crankshaft pulleys transmit mechanical power and torque, or the force of motion, through the pulley system to additional car elements, such as the power steering pump and alternator.
Is crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer the same thing?
A harmonic balancer is a front end accessory drive component that is connected to the crankshaft of an engine. ... Harmonic balancers do have many names, though, such as damper, crankshaft pulley and crankshaft balancer, among others.
Can you drive with a bad harmonic balancer?
It’s not okay to drive with a bad harmonic balancer . The bouncing crankshaft will wear on the main bearings. It can also tear up drive belts and possibly come apart posing a danger to people and property.
What is a pulley damper?
A damper pulley, commonly known as a crankshaft pulley, is a pulley mounted at the front end of the crankshaft . ... The pulley filter absorbs vibrations that arise due to the a-cyclical nature of the engine.
What is the main function of a crankshaft vibration damper?
The damper is designed to absorb torsional and vertical vibrations from the crank , as a result of the engine combustion process.
What is vibration damper?
Vibration dampers are used to absorb vibration emanating from machinery, pedestrian traffic , etc. primarily to reduce the noise associated with such vibration and to procure a more comfortable environment.
Are fluid dampers any good?
If you have made any performance modifications to the engine, a fluid damper is a good idea . A performance type fluid damper is a must if your hot rod is going to be running in competitive events that require an SFI 18.1 spec harmonic balancer.
Do fluid dampers go bad?
The silicone fluid is guaranteed to last forever . If the damper was never physically abused (hit with a hammer), installed properly with an installer tool or a bolt and washer, and as long as the damper maintains a tight press fit on the crankshaft, there is nothing that can go wrong with the damper.
What happens if a harmonic balancer breaks?
If the harmonic balancer gets too old or fails and can no longer properly absorb the harmonic vibrations, the engine will shake excessively . The shaking will become even more pronounced, and therefore dangerous to the engine at high speeds.
What happens if crankshaft pulley breaks?
When a crankshaft pulley fails (or the timing belt due to a badly maintained crankshaft pulley), the timing of the engine is completely thrown off . Even a rotation or movement of a few millimetres can start to cause problems in a system so precise.
Why is my crankshaft pulley wobbling?
If the fan-belt pulleys that bolt to the harmonic balancer are dismounted, bent, or distorted , it may cause the crankshaft pulley to wobble. ... Sometimes, some dirt may get trapped under the pulley. Furthermore, the crankshaft pulley tends to wobble if it isn’t appropriately torqued.
When should I replace crankshaft pulley?
- The engine is loud and you feel vibrations coming from your engine.
- The pulley belt may slip causing your vehicle to backfire or misfire.
- The vehicle’s ignition timing will be off.
- The vehicle will not start at all.
