Replace Harmonic Balancer?
05-11-15, 07:28 AM
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Replace Harmonic Balancer?
My 1996 LS400 with 250,000 miles died on me this past weekend. Scanned it on the side of the road and got the P 0335 code - tried disconnecting battery, didn't work so towed it to my mechanic. Turns out the harmonic balanced split into two pieces and actually went backwards into the lower timing belt cover and also ground down the crankshaft position sensor, hence the code. They haven't gone any further as we can't source a new balancer here in CO except at the dealer and they are way expensive, like $400 local. Found new OEM online through other threads here for $200 and used for $65ish. My mechanics concern is if there is other damage behind the timing belt cover could get even more expensive than we already are, at a minimun need sensor, balancer and lower cover - question for the experts here, anyone experienced the same issue - he told me the balancer normally doesn't push backwards, so this is somewhat odd - and how bad "could" it be behind the timing belt cover.
05-11-15, 08:33 AM
#3
I had the exact same thing happen on my 1991 Camry V6 back in 2006. The Toyota Harmonic balancers are two peices that are "glued" together with a rubber sleeve, and sometimes with time, the sleeve degrades and the outer part of it decides to go on a field trip. In my case, it came off the front, and took all of the belts with it.
There IS currently a 1996 at a local wrecking yard off Sante Fe and Oxford if you needed a balancer, or any additional parts.
There IS currently a 1996 at a local wrecking yard off Sante Fe and Oxford if you needed a balancer, or any additional parts.
05-11-15, 09:37 AM
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Thanks for that info YoshiMan - I might need to skip out of work early and head that direction! They are taking the cover off today to see if there is any damage to the oil pump, timing belt, etc...I want to fix it as I hadn't had any other issues and love this car, just don't want to start digging and finding out I'm looking at multiple thousands to fix...I'll update as I find out more.
05-11-15, 11:01 AM
#5
There was a thread last year where this happened to another member. I found it.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...installed.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...installed.html
05-11-15, 01:00 PM
#6
And then why chance that a USED damper will last ? With another used one you could be doing this all over in another year or so, you just don't know. There are places that can rebuild them and would rebond the weight etc. If you get a used one that would be the route to go especially if this is a problem on them. So what years are most affected with this?
05-11-15, 01:26 PM
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Good to know I'm not alone...between the wealth of information on this site and what I'm getting from the mechanic - I think I'm really just looking to justify the expense. I try to do as much as I can on the vehicle myself, it's the unknown factor here that scares me.
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05-12-15, 12:00 PM
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Good news, or I'm taking it as that, there was no additional damage to anything behind the lower TB cover...so for now all I'm needing to replace is the Hamonic Balancer, Crank Shaft Position Sensor and the Timing Belt Cover. Found an new OEM online for $200 and decided to go that route vs. a used based on the threads and feedback - so thank you everyone. I am getting the old one back and may look at having it rebuilt as dicer suggested so that if this happens again I'll already have that on hand - and I wasn't ignoring your post/feedback, this is truly the first minute I've had back online since my last post yesterday.
Once the work is done, won't be until later this week as both the HB and the TB cover are being shipped, I'll update. Then it is on to replacing the UCAs - which I've found a ton on info on "how to" on the site!
Once the work is done, won't be until later this week as both the HB and the TB cover are being shipped, I'll update. Then it is on to replacing the UCAs - which I've found a ton on info on "how to" on the site!
05-13-15, 01:38 AM
#11
Yeah, the upper control arms really aren't bad at all. Doing them on my old 95 was the first time i had removed a strut/spring assembly from a car, and i was rather surprised at how simple they are to take out in order to get to the control arm bolts
11-23-16, 05:13 PM
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My 1996 LS400 with 250,000 miles died on me this past weekend. Scanned it on the side of the road and got the P 0335 code - tried disconnecting battery, didn't work so towed it to my mechanic. Turns out the harmonic balanced split into two pieces and actually went backwards into the lower timing belt cover and also ground down the crankshaft position sensor, hence the code. They haven't gone any further as we can't source a new balancer here in CO except at the dealer and they are way expensive, like $400 local. Found new OEM online through other threads here for $200 and used for $65ish. My mechanics concern is if there is other damage behind the timing belt cover could get even more expensive than we already are, at a minimun need sensor, balancer and lower cover - question for the experts here, anyone experienced the same issue - he told me the balancer normally doesn't push backwards, so this is somewhat odd - and how bad "could" it be behind the timing belt cover.
Replaced the sensor and balancer now it runs like a champ
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