Cracked flex plate

[delta265]

My Runner has been making a ticking noise when warmed up for the last 20k miles. I just always assumed it was an exhaust leak or loose header. I finally couldn't take it any more and brought it to a local mech who diagnosed this:

<a href="http://s285.photobucket.com/user/delta265/media/IMG_2071.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll54/delta265/IMG_2071.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2071.jpg"/></a>

Notice the crack at the 12:00 position. Eventually the whole thing would probably have given out, glad I changed it. For reference, my rig has 195k on it. I was doing research on this and have noticed it seems several other people with around 200k have also encountered this, Just a heads up.

 

[nevada]

ive seen this a few times, and every time the alignment dowels on the block were missing.

make sure yours are there.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

ive seen this a few times, and every time the alignment dowels on the block were missing.

make sure yours are there.

I have also heard about this happening before. Seems like a pretty common problem when the alignment dowels weren't there.

 

[delta265]

ive seen this a few times, and every time the alignment dowels on the block were missing.

make sure yours are there.

I'm not sure what an alignment dowel is. I will research and try to figure it out though, thanks for the heads up!

 

[nevada]

I'm not sure what an alignment dowel is. I will research and try to figure it out though, thanks for the heads up!

usually there are 2 small pins across from each other in the block, and corresponding holes in the bellhousing.

they align the engine to the transmission.
often times they get stuck, and even with all the bolts out, you have to pry the transmission back off the block. they sometimes have the same issue when putting it back together, making it hard to get seated fully. because of this...there are some people that will remove them, but that is a VERY bad idea.