Harmonic Balancer Woes

[FlootloseNFree]

Hi All,

I have a '95 Rialta and I am on the hunt for a harmonic balancer for it. I have called VW, but they've given me the usual "sorry, we've discontinued parts for that vehicle" line, so they're of no help.

Google unfortunately isn't turning up anything either, so I'm hoping one of the guru's here might have a suggestion where I could find a harmonic balancer.

Every part for this vehicle has been a scavenger hunt, and I've been fairly lucky in finding a lot of stuff, but this is proving to be a real challenge.

Thanks for any / all suggestions.

[mkguitar]

Can't rebuild the old one ?

[FlootloseNFree]

Well I was hoping to replace it with a new one, since I'm restoring a Rialta that hasn't run in over 8 years, the seals are all cracked and worn out on mine.

I'm not opposed to rebuilding it, that's just beyond my skill level..

[DaveBad]

Maybe this place can help you.
http://www.qualitygermanautoparts.com/index.php

[mloganusda]

Try this URL for more info.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/Car-Truck-P...EuroVan&_sop=1

https://www.busdepot.com/[/url]
https://eeuroparts.com/[/url]
https://europarts-sd.com/[/url]

The Rialta is based on the Eurovan, so search for these parts.

[KurtFranz]

Where are you located

[mloganusda]

Smyrna, TN., just 22 miles southeast of Nashville.

[jmai]

There are several businesses that will rebuild your harmonic balancer. Call ahead first. Remove your old one and send it to them.

Do a search for "harmonic balancer rebuilders". They are out there.

[anneingroton@gmail.com]

I have the exact same make year & model. When asking for parts, you must ask for EUROVAN parts, not VW or Winnebago...the response will almost always be, how many do you want? Like a magic word!
Tell any mechanics the same info...write it down for them.

[Dee Jsaan]

In my experience I've had a couple of harmonic balancers to slip out of index. An old mechanic I knew showed me how he would pull #1 spark plug and run the piston in that cylinder up to TDC and then check the timing mark against the marking on the balancer. Make sure the distributor rotor is pointed to #1 ignition wire too.

If the balancer slipped ahead or behind measure the amount it slipped. Then what ever the spec sheet states to set the timing at find that "degree" on the balancer and remark it by the amount it slipped. (or if the degrees are on a stationary marker....make a mark on the balancer where the timing mark should be when you have #1 piston at TDC. I use a thin screw driver with a dab of white paint on it in this case) It will show up well with the timing light.

If you're not familiar with these, there is the inner core, a rubber band over it, and the outer cast ring pressed over that. They do from time to time slip out of index. It usually shows up when timing is set with a timing light and the engine doesn't run properly afterwards.

Again some engines have a pointer on them with degrees marked on the balancer and others have a mark on the balancer with a tab on the engine with the degrees marked on it.

I used to work on the air cooled VW's back in the day as well as other vehicles.