99 4runner harmonic balancer

[shawnstcyr]

Hi guys,

My harmonic balancer went out on my 99 runner 3.4. It displayed some interesting symptoms I thought you guys might want to know about.
First of all, she has 206,000 miles on her. This is her first major issue. Not too bad. The belts have had a minor squeal to them for a month or so now. The other day, I went to pass a truck at highway speeds. Once the tach hit 4500 or so, she started bucking. Much like a bad plug wire. Being as I have factory wires on her, I wasn't too concerned. Finally the other morning I was on the highway and my steering got extremely stiff. I pulled over to check it out. As soon as I went to stop, she died and would not restart. I popped the hood to investigate and found the crank pulley to be at about a 35 Degree angle. The alternator belt was also shredded.

I now know that the bucking was due to the added flex in the weak rubber of my harmonic balancer. It was just enough to interupt the signal from the crank sensor at high rpm's. Once the rpm's dropped the bucking stopped and she ran smoothly.

If any of you have one on a wrecked Yota, I might be interested.
A new one is a week out, and $272.00. $440 at the Yota dealership. Thanks.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

that sounds like a scary sight

being close to Halloween and all that is a nasty tale. Likely a grisly sight.

Shawn come over to the 3rd gen specific forum to get more activity I bet one of us has one or can find it for ya. Also a bunch of us lurk on Yota Tech also.

Your timing belts have been kept up to date along the way? Would/should this have been noticed earlier somehow? you are worrying me at 80K miles on mine....

sorry to hear of what has happened. Hope we can get ya up and running sooner and cheaper....

 

[shawnstcyr]

Re: that sounds like a scary sight

Yeah my timing belt is up to date. I purchased the Runner with 179,000 miles on it back in February. I usually do my own mechanic work. However, I am now a travelling wind turbine mechanic, so I no longer have the time or interest. I payed a former employer of mine to install the timing belt. My thought is that maybe the puller weakened an already old part. Had I thought about it, I would have had the balancer replaced. I wouldn't sweat your timing belt too much. The service interval is 90,000 miles. Besides, from what I understand , the 3.4 is not an interference engine. I was up around Denver a few months back. I really enjoyed the offroading! I may be coming back in the spring, this time with a supercharger! Wouldn't mind meeting up with some other Runners.

being close to Halloween and all that is a nasty tale. Likely a grisly sight.

Shawn come over to the 3rd gen specific forum to get more activity I bet one of us has one or can find it for ya. Also a bunch of us lurk on Yota Tech also.

Your timing belts have been kept up to date along the way? Would/should this have been noticed earlier somehow? you are worrying me at 80K miles on mine....

sorry to hear of what has happened. Hope we can get ya up and running sooner and cheaper....

 

[Ron Helmuth]

did you get toytech76s s chgr?

It would be a delight to show you around our many fine trails Shawn. Hope to meet you next time you are up this way.

There are several of us up in the north metro area if you will be visiting Vestas-and many more in the Ft. Collins/Loveland/Longmont area.

That is quite cool what you are doing for a living and you will never have to worry about finding a job now that we are finally starting to go "green" here in the US.

You got a supercharger or just dreaming of one? (like who isn't?)

I saw one posted on Yota Tech marketplace and it was owned by a Toyota service tech that I would indeed trust with my life. Not sure if it is still available or if you snapped it up already....

 

[shawnstcyr]

Re: did you get toytech76s s chgr?

Ron,
That sounds nice. No, I don't have a supercharger, yet! However, I do intend to purchase one very soon. The 4Runner performed decently at 12,500 ft, but I feel she could use a boost at that altitude.
Yes, wind energy is a very good career choice. Unfortunately, I had to let my other hobby go because of it. I was a volunteer fireman up until last month. My travels don't permit me to continue doing it. I was working in S. Dakota back in August. On my way back to Texas I detoured to Denver. I had never been to Colorado before. I went past Golden to around the Idaho Springs area. I ran into some fellow firefighters. They pointed me to a very good trail in that area.
I intend to go back to that area this spring if possible. I will definetely look you guys up. I joined YotaTech on your advise. I use the same screen name. However, it won't let me post threads. Maybe because I'm new. Keep in touch! QUOTE]Originally posted by Ron Helmuth
It would be a delight to show you around our many fine trails Shawn. Hope to meet you next time you are up this way.

There are several of us up in the north metro area if you will be visiting Vestas-and many more in the Ft. Collins/Loveland/Longmont area.

That is quite cool what you are doing for a living and you will never have to worry about finding a job now that we are finally starting to go "green" here in the US.

You got a supercharger or just dreaming of one? (like who isn't?)

I saw one posted on Yota Tech marketplace and it was owned by a Toyota service tech that I would indeed trust with my life. Not sure if it is still available or if you snapped it up already.... [/QUOTE]

 

[Ron Helmuth]

must be some user setting

Okay well look in the Yota Tech Marketplace for this deal on the supercharger and I will head over there myself and try to find it for us.

edit: okay it is sold...sorry

If you are able to sign in okay then you should always be able to post a thread or a reply-check your user cp settings on Yota Tech-whatever it is they are called over there. I had to tweak mine a few times to get up and rolling.

Idaho Springs area has a lot of trails and just over the hill to the north is Central City/Blackhawk (gambling is you are so inclined) spring may be a little early to hit most of the trails but snow trail riding is fun stuff too.