T1N Engine Rattling, safe to drive?

alexk243

KulAdventure
So I am on a road trip, 9 hours from home and my 04 T1N started making a rattling, possibly a bad pulley, but not sure. Is it safe to drive back on? Any ideas what is it?

Here is a video of the noise.

https://youtu.be/SIhYMImbBAA

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alexk243

KulAdventure
At the campsite? I'm am in Copper Harbour, MI with no tools...

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220629

Well-known member
I have no idea what your problem is. Rattling is never good. There can be additional damage caused by pressing on.

If it is a harmonic balancer problem then you shouldn't ignore it.

Some hits from a quick search. (In no particular order.)

http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28476

http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47644
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5226
http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46319

http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42629

Good luck.

vic
 

alexk243

KulAdventure
I can feel by hand if it's loose? It's not wobbling when running as far as I can tell

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icarus

Well-known member
Consider a tow into Houghton or Marquette. Have someone look at the harmonic balancer, and the serp belt tensioner. Consider joining AAA+ before you phone AAA for a tow. Cheapest alternative. Driving with a loose balancer is a recipe for...as Dennis would say..."a wallet flush"!

A circ belt or tensioner failure could also cause expensive unexpected damage. In the worst case, drive very gently to some reputable shop. In this case you don't need a Sprinter specific shop.

Icarus
 
I can feel by hand if it's loose? It's not wobbling when running as far as I can tell

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You should be able to feel it by hand. Check the upper pully's on the serpentine belt also. You should be able to see those moving around if it's them.
 
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alexk243

KulAdventure
I have AAA, but I am on a time crunch.... Is it possible it is an idler pulley? It seems to go away when driving

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220629

Well-known member
.... Is it possible it is an idler pulley? It seems to go away when driving

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:idunno:

One check is to look closely at the serpentine belt as it drives/spins the components.

It should be running smoothly. No jumping or wandering back and forth.

Look at the engine driven fan to make certain that all the blades are intact.

A close inspection of the harmonic balancer may reveal something, but there are different failure modes. Sometimes it is difficult to see that the rubber bonding has failed.

I know it is a tough decision to not just go and roll the dice, but the consequences can be pretty severe when you don't know what the problem is.

Has the engine oil level been checked?
vic
 

alexk243

KulAdventure
Yeah engine oil is fine. Changed recently with all filters changed.

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Midwestdrifter

Engineer In Residence
Engine and exhaust mounts can sometimes break. Or one of the heat shields around the turbo or exhaust could be contacting the engine. Pull on the engine and exhaust and give it a good visual inspection with a bright light.
 

ECU

2006 T1n 118 Sprinter
check the harmonic balancer too. Ticking time bomb. I went about 700 miles like that.
 

alexk243

KulAdventure
So the outside ring on the harmonic balancer is loose and spinning freely... Appears the bolt is tight... How much time do I have? I am 500 miles from home.

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220629

Well-known member
... How much time do I have? I am 500 miles from home.

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How high is up?

The proper answer is that it needs to be repaired. If it comes loose it can do a bunch of damage.

One possibility. The ring will pass over the serpentine belt pulley. Remove the serpentine belt, remove the separated ring, and re-install the belt.

That should get rid of the balancer failing.

Were I to try that I would keep my speeds down to 55 mph to keep engine rpm's down. That said, there may be rpm ranges where more vibration is noticed than in others. If discovered I would avoid those ranges.

There must be many people who have run the T1N with a partially failed harmonic balancer which wasn't doing the job.

To be clear. I have never tried what I suggest above. I have no idea what the risks of trying it may be.

Good luck.

vic
 
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