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Come along and check out this blast from the past. A 2001 Buick Century with the big 3.1 liter. The customer complaint was a squeaking belt. It didn't take long to find out the vehicle needed more than just a belt
-Enjoy!
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100 thoughts on “An out of balance buick balancer baby!”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peanutbutter Jellyjam says:

    Cocked off, and jerking around. Wash yo' mouth.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars stephen bonesteel says:

    Never ceases to amaze me. Comes in for a belt noise I can bearly hear. And doesn’t seem concerned about the slamming and banging of the missing bolt.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Happy Hands says:

    Don't forget to check that tensioner (idler) pulley. those things go bad all the time on those engines

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Patrick Kyker says:

    They definitely need a cover for the front of that engine. Snow will get up there around that crank and fill those groves in that belt will slip off.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Melvin Jones says:

    The old Buick roles again. Good for another 50,000. summer time only.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jeffry Blackmon says:

    When you started the engine with the new pulley, what was that grinding sound? It didn't seem right to me.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars onenikkione says:

    Good for another 20 years 😃

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adam Trombino says:

    Ah the ol M motor. Best thing GM ever did was move the crank sensor from the back of the block, ala W and T mill, to the balancer area. I've only seen a couple balancers slip on these engines, but several on the ol Buick 33 and 3800s. At least this 1 was obvious!

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jon Bingham says:

    THAT ENGINE HAS A WHOLE LOT OF NOISE BROTHER! THAT THING DOESN'T SOUND HEALTHY. BLESSINGS BROTHER. 🙂💖

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars User 5.56 says:

    👍

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars scotty shaffer says:

    Nice as always sir…. those elastomeric rings have self destructed fine engines into clattering junk…lol

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RAEL says:

    As far as the crank shaft sensor relearn……on my Pontiac 3.1 V6 I was doing an idle relearn and noticed a note in the manual…..and if I'm not mistaken it said something to the effect that even if you didn't do the relearn procedure, it would relearn itself in about 12 engine starts. Trouble with that is it would be hard to keep it running at stop lights. Too annoying. Better to just do the idle relearn. I wonder if the crank relearn is the same……in that it might relearn on it's own after X number of cycles.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RAEL says:

    When I did the belt on my Pontiac 3.1 V6 I had to loosen the alternator in addition to prying the tensioner out of the way. Not bad though. By the way……one time the thought just occurred to me that I had not been in the engine compartment in quite a while. So I opens the hood and takes a gander down inside…….yikes…..the tensioner bolt was working it's way out and the tensioner was hanging on by a thread. Holy cow…..what are the chances? Disaster averted.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars n325aej says:

    I'd like a video of every car you do in a whole week, not the fixing. just a talk a few seconds on each car saying what the customer says and then what you find and outcome. i would find this interesting, thanks Mark

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bill8by5 says:

    Eric, you are priceless!! Most excellent!! Keep 'EM COMING!!!!!

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dan Bentch says:

    Must be a transplant, surely no NY car could look that good after 21 years… Great video, Eric!

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars RAEL says:

    I had a 3.1V6 in my 1994 Pontiac Sunbird and that was a fantastic combination. It was a fantastic engine / transmission combination. I LOVED the car. If they had continued to make them I would have bought another. I had two break downs in 18 years. Once the fuel pump quit…..just quit. Another time the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm failed and the car wouldn't start at a gas station. Strangest thing. One time a coil pack failed but the car was able to limp home……up a steep grade all the way up the hill on four cylinders.

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BUTTABALLA999 says:

    You make it look easy. Thanks for the video Mr. O!

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sakara123 says:

    When I saw you pull out the dewalt I was super confused as to why THAT would be your go to battery here. My sides went into orbit when you said "i'm using this one because it's weak".

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars kidtask says:

    GM did a recall on the broken mount bolts on those old vehicles

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stephen Irwin says:

    Good stuff, as usual!

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jbknight311 says:

    We had a 91 Riviera 3.8 supercharged. Was doing the out of balance stuff. I traced it incorrectly to the supercharger which set me back $1100. Finally checked the balancer and the rubber was totally separated. I had never seen or heard of one going bad. I have now.
    I wish YouTube and the internet was around in 95.

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars NFG says:

    Not a big fan of the noise it’s making when it turns on :/

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars flip phone wizard says:

    I have a 04 century with 112k and you cant even hear it running with the hood shut…….. that one was ragged out.

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Busted Knuckle says:

    Jeeeez…. 2 days in a row.. NO TEST Drive

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! J.D. Ensminger says:

    love that 3100 great engine

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars DoYouFeelLucky? says:

    Smooth move

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars greg gardner says:

    I have the 2000 Century

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jacks Auto Repair says:

    People brag on those cars and Buick v6, but in the final 6-7 years they had major electrical issues! Make you want to purchase a $1200 thermal camera tool, but the car wasn't worth that much and the owner let's call her the mean old lady on social security and she wants that car fixed right now! You installed a new Alternator and every 3 weeks her battery goes dead then you solder her a new battery and it's still not fixed!

    Uh, looks like she ran into something and jammed the passenger door up into the door jam. Don't the battery cables run up thriugh the body right there!

    Well she got mad and drove off before I had a chance to look at it. Maybe Covid got her, I don't what happened to her. Anyway, Bucik is gone and never came back.

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SimiNelsonFamily says:

    I really enjoy learning from your videos. One of the biggest improvements I’ve picked up is to slow down and pay closer attention to detail. I’ve always been in a hurry to complete an operation, probably because life is busy. Now that I take more time and give more attention to details, I find that the job gets completed with better results and I enjoy the process much more. Thank you for the many fine lessons.

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Relentless615 says:

    You Da' Man Mr. O 😎💪🏾👍🏾

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Smith says:

    If he can do it you can do it !

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars THE WISE CAT says:

    Shoulda JB weld it like in the good ol day's

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars some random guy says:

    Spoken like a true mechanic ( if it's not 10-150 it's gonna be )

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars CHUCK DETWEILER says:

    ANOTHER SELF LUBRICATING ENGINE

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Purcell says:

    "If there not 10-150, they're gonna be!" My kinda machine work!

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars T C says:

    Is your use of NAPA purely convenience? Ive noticed their quality of parts listed under the "NAPA" brand have gone downhill and their prices are marked up quite a bit.

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Derek Friday says:

    First time id ever heard of harmonic dampers separating was on a crown Vick. Same complaint as you have. They diagnosed it. The guy said back it out, He'll drive it like that until his next check. Sure enough as its backed out of the shop, off the outer pulley goes and flies across the shop as fast as it could. The wall finally stopped it and it spun in the same spot for probably 5 seconds. That was an interesting experience

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stash Oski says:

    👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jace says:

    That engine can go another 20 years. Unfortunately the electrical will crap out well before that.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ryan Dettinburn says:

    It's called the tiny dancer on a gm

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars oracle wisdom says:

    alot of engines are externally balanced by the harmonic balancer.. is this ever an issue when replacing the balancer.. some have drill divits in them where they were drilled to lighten them , kind of like balancing a tire, but instead of adding weight, they removed some.. I have to replace a balancer that seperated on my 93 chevy 4.3 v6 engine and im concerned it will shake like crazy without the original balancer on it,, thank ye

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cloud Walker says:

    "Nice and quiet now." 🤣

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Topher D says:

    Very common problem as they age. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve changed whether it be Buick Pontiac Chevy etc.

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Julian says:

    I was thinking, "If it's not a 10 by 150 it will be," and 5 seconds later you said it. LOL

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Thomas Estes says:

    Noisy little motor

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Edward Wallace says:

    much better. good work.

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars tren van says:

    you know this thing is going to explode or implode in two weeks for totally unrelated things? the power steering pump is going to fail and then the transmission will grenade… then the electrical system will melt. karma for that original belt