Dolph88sc350TPI

How would I know If my torque converter is going?
Could It casue vibration?
Will a bad Idler arm cause vibration?

bad84z

When my torque converter went out it started making a tapping noise that turned into a banging noise. Once it started banging the thing would hardly move. You will know if it is cracked.

EvilCartman

iTrader: (1)

Mine didn't give any warning, just decided to split open one day dumping ATF all over the road making it fun to try and get off the road safe.

Dolph88sc350TPI

its making a tapping noise now, what should I expect?

bad84z

Are you positive that is where the noise is comin from??? Like I said, mine tapped for a while, but when it got louder, it was like you could floor the gas and the vehicle would barely move. If that is definately where the noise is comin from, you need to get it replaced asap. I also got a tapping a few weeks ago, but that was just my my header bolts had worked themselves loose and I blew a header gasket.

Vader

Dolph,

You could also have a loose TC bolt or a cracked flexplate. You'll need to pull the inspection cover and start investigating.

The noise could be from almost anything, including the TC, transmission pump, input shaft, rear main bearing, planetary shell in the trans, etc. Do you only get the vibration while moving, or also when running in PARK or NEUTRAL? An idler arm that is worn can cause vibration in the steering at some road speeds, but not in the engine or trans.

Incidentally, and a little off-topic, what browser are you using? Every time I try to view one of your posts, I get nothing but non-displayed characters in your text. After resizing the text in my window a few times, I can read the text normally. Am I the only one who experiences this? It is on every post you make and only your threads. It changes the text for all posts in that thread, so that none of them are legible. Any ideas?

Kiwi-85IROC

I have an issue like this, its there while driving and also in Neutral. Its most noticable around 2500rpm and its a rythmic vibration over a 3 sec period repeating and repeating.

What does this sound like? Is it more like a balancer prob or TC/ ringgear issue?


P.S Vader... I see his posts correctly all the time.

Kiwi-85IROC

Dolph, Any luck solving it??

Kiwi-85IROC

Problem solved!!!

The vibration I was feeling right through the car including the seat was from the A/C compressor!!! Somethings gone wrong there, I haven't had it off yet....but I did this to save time "CUT THE BELT" Bang, vibration GONE....now is that weird or what?

PLANT PROTECTION

iTrader: (6)

All three of my TC bolts were loose and it make a metal clacking/tapping noise at random. Like Vader said, pull the cover off and inspect.

Vader

Kiwi,

No, as a matter of fact, it is so "un-weird" that GM had a TSB on the problem for '85 and early '86 cars. Most of the TPI engines and some others were not equipped with a bracket/brace that limits the harmonic vibration induced by the belt length. The "fix" was to install an angular brace between the rear of the compressor and the exhaust manifold bolt at the #3 exhaust port.

If you don't have that brace, you should get one installed.

WaynesRS

DAMN VADER !!! Is that your engine ? You can eat off of it , its so clean !!!!!

Kiwi-85IROC

Good insight Vader: I do have one of these and I was thinking, "Maybe that bugger was what was causing me to feel it all the way through to my seat" It was a significant vibration too. There are guys here saying "I like to drive my car at 80mph sometimes etc" and I was thinking " gingo's my car would shake itself to bits doing that".

I took it on the freeway after cutting the belt and cruised at 80mph, ran like a dream.

Now the thing is, I can't feel either a tight compressor main wheel or a completely buggered bearing. The belt wasn't too tight , yet there was some noise coming although small coming from the compressor.
Is there a later model compressor I could fit? or should I try to add some high grade rubber washers to the strut/brace you pointed out? and is it just that , that particular compressor design is and old/shake type design due too the large diameter of it.


Cheers

Also sitting alone: Happy as a pig in ****

Dolph88sc350TPI

Kiwi-85IROC, no luck yet, I havent had enough time. I've been catching rides in my girlfriends 99 grand prix.

Vader, I've pulled the inspection cover and the noise seems to get louder, but all bolts are accounted for and tight.
When its cold the vibration is very noticeable, but as it gets to normal operating temps it smooths out just a little, but still a noticeable problem.
What does that sound like to you?

Oh, and Vader, I'm just using IE 6.0.2800.1106.xpsp1
128-bit. I don't whats causing this but I will see if there are any fixes.

radiateu2

I would check the bolts on the flywheel too you know the ones that bolt the flywheel to the crank.

PLANT PROTECTION

iTrader: (6)

That's a task to do, Im pretty sure the TC needs to come off to access those bolts so you might as well change it while your there. Hell, Id give you my stock TC but its been sitting outside for winter and I dunno if it is still good.

Dolph88sc350TPI

I found that the most of the vibration was in the tires, I rotated the tires and it seemed to smooth out a bit.

It still has some vibration at higher speeds like 70-up.

When the car is cold it makes a very noticeable tapping noise that goes away after it warms up.

What could be this tapping noise? ujoints maybe???

And can wheel locks cause an off balance?

radiateu2

That sounds like a lifter that has bleed off and when it warms up it has pumped up with oil and the oil pressure. Other than that your description is vague where do you think the tapping sound is from? The other suggestion would be to look at the exhaust for a leak.

Riley's35089rs+

I was thinking exhaust leak..some quiet down after warming up..a missfire would also cause vibration...how long since last tune-up?