Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

I've been noticing a low rpm surge or vibration, so I popped the hood today and was looking around, first thing I notice is the tensioner pulley is bobbing a little, so I start looking to the pulleys, I noticed the crank pulley is wobbling a tad. It isn't a huge wobble but its def a concern....

What causes this?

How bad is it to drive with it like that for a little while?

How hard is it to fix?

What parts do I need to examine?

Any help would be great guys, thanks alot.

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

The belt tensioner and idler pulley should be replaced, they are easy to do and can blow apart.
If the harmonic balancer is loose, you need to have a mechanic look at it to find out why, may not be a big deal or it could be anything up to a crank shaft movieing around.
Mike

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

thanks mike, the motor itself runs real well, plenty of power, no detonation or knock... so I'm hoping it's something small...

Let me ask you this... what parts should I buy, just a new harmonic balancer, that in essence is the crank pulley right.. I'm a little ignorant when it comes to this section of the motor as I've never worked on it before? anyone have a step by step for this?

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

Harmonic balancers are 3 pieces: Inner metal piece, rubber, then the outer metal the belt rides on.

If the rubber isn't happy anymore you could get a wobble...many come with a wobble.

This is one of the few parts I would be sure to buy locally as the last two engines I built required multiple returns of the balancer - all for a wobble out of the box, except for one that had the outer ring put on at the wrong angle (couldn't set timimg).

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

thats real good info, thanks for taking the time... is this something I should fix asap? and I think the part I ordered was just the pulley.. should I cancel that and pull it apart first to see if the rubber is fouled?

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

I still wouldn't go throwing parts at your truck till you have a mechanic inspect it.
Mike

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

Do you need to remove the rad to get at it? I'm going to cancel my order and inspect it this weekend

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

Brad, sounds like you are not a mechanic, if that is the case, have someone who knows what to look for so you can then make the right decision.
Mike

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

No I'm not a mechanic, but I'm hands on with my cars... Id have just gone outside and ripped the thing out and replaced it if it were warm enough, but its cold so I have to do my reseach online. Wasn't sure of the configuration since I can't take a look at it... Do I need to drop the rad for this? And do I need to make any special tools? Anyone have the manual how-to for this?

RE: Noticed something disturbing today (harmonic balancer)
 

Is it a 200Tdi?
If so the woodruff key will be shot and the pulley assembly will need to be replaced
The bolt tightens to silly foot lbs and it is a rh thread so it tries to undo when the engine is turning. LR solution...loctite.

Don't know what numb nuts thought of that!

Can be done with the rad in but a b*****d.

Easier rad out

Regards
Tim