Harmonic Balancer Removal Posts

[ras0ne]

Hello everyone!

I'm having a hard time using the search function, as I don't find it very intuitive and it's not really producing great results for me...

Anyways...my alternator died this week and I had to pull it out to get it rebuilt (that was a whole mission).

I suspect it died because it was covered in oil and gunk and I'm suspecting the culprit is the oil seal behind the harmonic balancer.

Can anyone point me to some posts pertaining to replacing that guy?

I have a 2015 Lexus LX570

Thanks in advance,

Your forum search challenged friend

 

[Sandroad]

Use google. When I need to find anything I use google and this format where the issue term is replaced by a part name, problem, or whatever it is I’m looking for.

issue 200 Land Cruiser ih8mud.

 

[Boston Mangler]

How many miles on your truck?

Sure it’s oil and not PS fluid?

Mine was covered in PS fluid gunk

Yeah, replacing it is not a good time.

Strongly suggest just a brand new OEM unit vs a rebuild.

Yeah they’re pricey but they last 200k usually. I do NOT wanna do that job again.

Mine has 213k when I pulled it, and was original and still fine.

I had my whole truck apart so I replaced it just because..

 

[bloc]

An oil leak at the top outside edge of the timing chain cover above the alternator is also somewhat common.

 

[Killacaviar]

Searching mud: Type in your question to google and then end the statement with Ih8mud. It's a better search function than this site has.

 

[ras0ne]

How many miles on your truck?

Sure it’s oil and not PS fluid?

Mine was covered in PS fluid gunk

Yeah, replacing it is not a good time.

Strongly suggest just a brand new OEM unit vs a rebuild.

Yeah they’re pricey but they last 200k usually. I do NOT wanna do that job again.

Mine has 213k when I pulled it, and was original and still fine.

I had my whole truck apart so I replaced it just because..

There's a shop in town that rebuilds the OEM unit.

I've had them rebuild past alternators with no issues.

Good news is it doesn't seem like it's the seal behind the harmonic balancer.

The bad news....

 

[ras0ne]

An oil leak at the top outside edge of the timing chain cover above the alternator is also somewhat common.

Looks like I found the culprit

It's leaking from around here and it looks like from the head gasket area or seeping through somewhere else.

Haven't overheated the truck and she runs fine.

Would hate to have a pull a head gasket for this.

 

[bloc]

Looks like I found the culprit

View attachment 4073127

It's leaking from around here and it looks like from the head gasket area or seeping through somewhere else.

Haven't overheated the truck and she runs fine.

Would hate to have a pull a head gasket for this.

Could it be migrating along that gap from the front? The top edges of the timing cover leaking on both sides is quite common.

 

[ras0ne]

Could it be migrating along that gap from the front? The top edges of the timing cover leaking on both sides is quite common.

Maybe...it would be a pretty long migration

Seems like sealing up the timing cover would be a pretty decent job also

 

[bloc]

Seems like sealing up the timing cover would be a pretty decent job also

It is. I hate oil leaks and can do this job myself.. but still have dealt with a slow one there for over 100k miles. A timing chain tensioner might be forcing my hand on it in the next few 10k though.