5 Telltale Signs That Your BMW Harmonic Balancer Needs Replacement

• Knocking, rattling, squeaking…

Is your BMW engine making any of these sounds when running??? If so, there is every possibility that its harmonic balancer has failed. So, what can cause harmonic balancer failure in a car engine and how can you tell if the one found in your BMW engine has malfunctioned…. Let’s find out.

Harmonic Balancer: What Is It & What Purpose Does It Serve?

A harmonic balancer is one of those engine parts that we often take for granted... as if it doesn't exist. Well, guess what??? This seemingly trivial component is essentially an effective vibration dampener and its sole purpose is to cancel out excess torsional crankshaft harmonics and resonance. By doing so, the balancer ensures the stability of the crankshaft and allows the engine to operate smoothly.

Harmonic balancers are made up of three key parts;

• Inner metal hub
• Rubber isolation ring
• Timing pulley

The rubber damper that is sandwiched between the inner metal hub and the outer timing pulley can deteriorate over time. Also, the bolts securing the harmonic balancer to the crankshaft may wear out. In any case, if such a vital part fails, the engine's performance will suffer. Failure to replace a faulty harmonic balancer in time can result in irreparable damage to the engine.

The discussion below covers some of the noticeable signs of harmonic balancer failure in cars. Please take a look…

Signs Your BMW’s Harmonic Balancer Is about to Give Up

Hint #1- Weird engine vibration

Has your BMW engine been vibrating a lot lately??? Although increased engine vibration has many different reasons; the one that fits the best here is a defective harmonic balancer. Won-out spark plugs, a defective timing chain, broken motor mounts, and a vacuum leak are some other reasons why a car engine may vibrate at an abnormal pace. If you don't want the vibration intensity to increase, get to the bottom of the problem and fix it.

Hint #2- Scary engine sound

This is yet another common finding in a vehicle with a defective harmonic balancer. Since a harmonic balancer is responsible for canceling out crankshaft vibration; in the event of its failure, the engine will start acting up and generate strange noises; which may scare you a bit. Some of the noises that your BMW engine would make if its balancer is at fault are knocking, rattling, and squeaking.

Hint #3- Illuminated engine light

So, your BMW has been battling with engine vibration for quite some time now and now out of the blue, its check engine light started flashing… leaving you worried about the right course of action. What should you do in such a situation??? Well, you can start by inspecting the harmonic balancer; the component that is tasked with the job of nullifying crankshaft vibration. If you suspect that there is something wrong with the balancer, get it tested by a mechanic.

Hint #4- Visible wear mark

You should check your BMW's harmonic balancer periodically for signs of wear… The balancer, as we have discussed above, is made up of three distinctive parts; an inner metal hub, an outer timing pulley, and a rubber isolation ring. The isolation ring can get damaged over time due to continual exposure to heat, oil, solvents, etc. Leaving these tear marks unaddressed can contribute to all sorts of engine drama including weird and scary vibrations.

Hint #5- Engine performance-related issues

Engine timing will be thrown off if there is something wrong with the harmonic balancer. This will result in all sorts of engine performance-related problems; ranging from weak acceleration to engine misfire. Plus, leaving such an issue unresolved can cause extensive damage to key engine parts. In short, doing nothing about a bad harmonic balancer can result in costly engine repairs down the road. It is therefore important that you keep an eye on your BMW’s harmonic balancer.

To Sum Things Up;

A harmonic balancer essentially nullifies crankshaft vibration so that the engine can operate smoothly. Just like any other engine parts, the balancer can malfunction. Driving with a faulty crankshaft balancer can contribute to all sorts of engine troubles; ranging from poor performance to cylinder misfire. It is therefore important that you keep an eye on your BMW's harmonic balancer and if you suspect a problem in a part of such importance, contact a nearby German car service center.

At Import Car Center, when it comes to enjoying your European car & protecting the investment we offer customer service and maintenance plans that take care of your make & model and get you back on the road quicker to enjoy your car.