Sunshine coast challenger owners

[RAS]

Hi. I'm new to the forum and will do a proper introduction soon. As for right now, I would really like a suggestion for a mechanic on the sunny coast. I think there is a chance I have done a big end bearing.

[littleriver]

Howdee .. that’s a bit of bad news (if it’s the big end bearings) first one I have heard of ... let’s hope it’s not ... how many kms on the vehicle?

Maybe it would be cheaper to buy a second hand motor ? As I see a rebuild $$$ ...

...

[RAS]

So before I drove to work, I removed the aircon belt and that stopped some of the drumming knocking sounds (thought I had found the problem). But on the way home the engine got really rough and the engine also sounded louder.
When I got home I had the wife give it a little rev and I could hear the sound was coming from the timing belt cover.
I have read that a failed balance belt can have this effect.
I will pull the inspection cover in the morning.
Could driving without the aircon belt add extra pressure to the balance belt or harmonic balancer?

[old Jack]

Hi and Welcome Ras,

If the balance belt has broken then the engine will run rough but rpm will not flucuate.
Balance belts that fail normally take out the timing belt and this is not a good situation so get the cover off and have a look. It could be a belt tensioner problem, if you are really lucky.

OJ.

[RAS]

Fingers crossed. I aleady have a full trimming belt kit and water pump on the way. I was getting ready to do a major service in the next two weeks.
Any come faults with the aircon compressor?

[cobra84]

Hi Ras,

I had a similar issue with my '98 challenger. Turned out to be that I had sheared the pin for the harmonic balancer. I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but that ended up being a cheap fix thankfully, might be worth a check also.

[RAS]

Cobra84. Mate that's right where I'm looking now.
It would be good if there was someone on the sunshine coast that wants to let me listen to their engine (trying to workout what sounds are normal for this engine).

[RAS]

Harmonic balancer has a very slight wobble. Can't budge it with my hands. It's $350 from the dealer and I've read a few tritons have had balancer problems so I might change it anyway.

Balance belt looked ok but I'm still not convinced (odd noise from bottom front of engine). I'll change it anyway as I already had a full gates kit ordered.

I changed the idler pulley. left the aircon disconnected and this has solved most of the noise issues but it still has a lot of vibration in the cab and the engine has a harder shutdown than normal.
I'm wondering about engine mounts but no one else seems to have trouble with them. I've got 225k on the clock so might be time.

I'm open to suggestions.

[RAS]

Did the balance belt/timing belt and all associated parts.
Balance belt was one tooth off and very loose. There are no squeaks or squeals left but still hasn't fixed the extra vibration.
It can have a really hard shut down sometimes. So I'm checking out the engine mounts and gearbox mounts.

[zippo]

Overland4x4 at (07) 5479 4955 | 72 Sugar Rd, Maroochydore http://www.overland4wd.com.au/should be able to help you. I haven't used them but my Challenger was built and maintained by them for the previous owner from new till I bought it.

[zippo]

Overland4x4 at http://www.overland4wd.com.au/should be able to help you. I haven't used them but my Challenger was built and maintained by them for the previous owner from new till I bought it.
(07) 5479 4955 | 72 Sugar Rd, Maroochydore

[Kingbrown]

"....Balance belt was one tooth off and very loose....."

That's a worry.
What distance/time had the old belts done ?

I've seen reference to a procedure for an intermediate check of balance belt but it doesn't appear on service schedules.
Tensioning of the balance belt only occurs upon initial installation as the tensioner is then locked in place by its mounting bolts.

[BMChallenger]

if this is still an active forum. I live on the Sunshine Coast at Coolum. I have previously used Coolum Motors and would still recommend but had a couple of poor responses on another car and overcharging so have moved to Marcoola Tyre and Auto. The guys there are brilliant. Big 4wd enthusiasts and now look after my challenger and my patrol. Hope that helps

[itsamitsi]

"....Balance belt was one tooth off and very loose....."

That's a worry.
What distance/time had the old belts done ?

I've seen reference to a procedure for an intermediate check of balance belt but it doesn't appear on service schedules.
Tensioning of the balance belt only occurs upon initial installation as the tensioner is then locked in place by its mounting bolts.

I think it's a poor design only having the initial tensioning and then never again until replacement. Mine had a fair bit of slop in it @ 106K, not enough to make it jump but another 20K and I think it could. Possibly if this belt had an auto tensioner it would break far earlier than 100K as there is not much in it, a very small belt for it's intended purpose. IIRC there are some plugs in the timing cover which may line up with the adjuster for the balance belt.

[Kingbrown]

As you say, there are apparently plugs in the timing cover to make an adjustment to the balancer belt tension (I haven't actually checked it).

A little trap that could catch you out is the sequence of tightening the tensioner's two mounting bolts.
The upper pivot bolt (flange head) MUST be tightened AFTER the lower socket head bolt.
This eliminates the tendency for tightening of the pivot bolt to move the tensioner and slacken the belt.

Edit:
I'm informed that the engine must be at TDC during adjustment, so the top timing cover comes off to line up the timing marks.
I looked at the access plugs and they are thin metal with integral spring clips that hold them in the lower timing cover (just below and to the side of the fan pulley). It's easy to prise out the plugs with your fingernail.
The job would be easier if the radiator fan was removed, but not essential. Serpentine belt and aircon belt can remain in place.
The tensioner bolt heads sit about 85mm behind the timing cover so a short extension and a 1/4 drive 10mm socket would be required.
The long leg of a 6mm Allen Key will reach the lower socket headed bolt, or use a short 1/4 drive extension with a 6mm hex driver bit.
Torque of bolts is a modest 23Nm.
If you lose sight of either of the access plugs when they spring out of the timing cover . . . have a look in the bottom of the radiator cowling. Don't ask how I know this.