Harmonic balancer loose

[leanburn]

 I fired my car up today, it has been sitting for 5 months, long story short I could move the outer part of my harmonic balancer about 5 degrees until it warmed up. Now it seems fine. Am I dillusional to think there's something wrong ?

[burdar]

If you can move the outer ring separately from the center, then the rubber between the two parts has deteriorated.  You need a new balancer.  If the outer ring slips, your timing mark is now "off".

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Agreed and if you run it, its a time bomb waiting to go off! I'd swap it out quick

[leanburn]

That's what I thought. Just needed to check in case I was missing something   Thanks

[jimynick]

Agreed and if you run it, its a time bomb waiting to go off! I'd swap it out quick

   Especially if it's an externally balanced engine. They have an eccentric weight that needs to be in it's right place and sliding around on the hub -isn't it. THEN, there's the issue of where that nice big piece of steel goes if and when it comes off the hub. Think about it for a minute. 

[Chryco Psycho]

Are you sure it was just the outer ring slipping , often the crank will move 4-5* easily before the timing chain tightens up the slack & starts turning the cam oil pump dist etc .
if it is the outer ring I agree with everyone else replace it now

[leanburn]

Yes, definately the outer ring