Weird and bad clok clok clok sound on idle (video included)

[Karpov]

3800 buick, 1990

Today i regonized that voice. It can be hear inside cabin if radio is not on.


Its most loud when D or R is on and you turn steering wheel so when engine is low rpm and under that kind of load.

It comes also when P is on and you turn steering wheel verge right or left.


If i press gas or rev the engine, nothing abnormal to hear.


Its pretty loud and at times i hear that comes top of the engine (read: inside) or co drivers side at somewhere.


Im pretty sure that it wont come on drivers side of engine.




I have been once a time olds 307 with bad crank bearings and it was different noise. I have also been car with a piston slap, its not same but closer to that than bearings.


Idle on D
http://s1343.photobucket.com/user/MrKar ... a.mp4.html

There is video, car is on d and steering wheel turned. End of video P and turned too.http://s1343.photobucket.com/user/MrKar ... b.mp4.html


Video is robust yeah BUT the voice is very realistic!

[RJolly87]

If you remove the accessory belt, is the noise still there? Do not run the engine for more than a couple of minutes without the belt, as the engine will overheat quickly.

it sounds like a failed harmonic balancer. The rubber disintegrates over time and makes a noise just like that mainly at idle.

[Karpov]

Thank god it was balancer!


Sound was different when belt was of and balancer shaked like hell.

In hands it was wobbling too.


I ordered new one.


I dont have anything to lock crank, is it too rough if i but ratchet there and tighten it by starter?

[J Wikoff]

The starter will loosen the bolt if you put a ratchet on it and brace the handle against something. To hold it for tightening, you can remove the small plastic cover from under the flywheel and long screwdriver through one of the flywheel holes or in one of the teeth to lock it into place. There's a GM tool to do this, but I've never actually seen it.

[SSEBonne4evr]

I just clamped a vise grip on the flywheel itself, worked good on my 90 SSE.

[Karpov]

I take plastic cover off and but long u joint separate tool to teeth and ground, worked well.


Old one have scars in rubber and metal was cracked. (that one what comes inside crank with that notch)


New in place and works fine, no damage by eye.