I went to go check my timing today to make sure it was still at 16*. When i put the timing light on it, the mark was way over under the water pump. So I dialed back the light but it still would not line up. I timed it a couple of weeks ago and the mark was right at 16*. Could the balancer have slipped, its only 4 months old.

 

unlikely, but very possible.

 

the car still runs the same, if the timing changed, wouldnt the car run any differently

 

It could, but you may not even notice it.

The balancer cannot slip side to side, only forward. There is a tooth on the crank about 1/8" tall that a groove in the balancer fits over. It will not move left/right on the crank.

I think your timing is probably off, just like the light shows.

 

not all balencers are one piece. he's referring to the outside of a two piece balancer slipping on it's insulator taking it out of index with the inner half.

 

I've seen it before! In fact, I have one within arm's reach that has slipped!

I order to prevent such issues from getting in my way, I have on my "Wish List" a fluidamper or similar one piece unit. 2 benefits, no slippag of the outer ring, and better dampening.

 

Not trying to offend by stating the obvious, but are you sure you disconnected your EST wire?

You probably did. I think my balancer slipped as well. I set it at base timing to prevent some pinging I was getting at 15 BTDC, but the car ran like crap and was overheating. I couldn't figure it out. Turned out that it must have been retarded, even though I set it at "6" BTDC. I'm guessing the balancer isn't lined up right.

Good luck figuring it out, though.

 

yeah it slipped, the timing mark is almost 90* off from the keyway. so looks like ill be putting on a new balancer. thanks for the help.

 

How does the fluidampr compare with a stock dampener? How much better does it dampen vibration?
I'm just trying to figure out if they're worth the $160+ price tag.