Damage to the crankshaft vibration damper or failure of the damper can increase torsional vibrations. Torsional vibration can result in damage to the crankshaft and to other engine components. A deteriorating damper can cause excessive torsional vibrations.
A damper that is hot may be the result of excessive torsional vibration, worn bearings, or damage to the damper. Use an infrared thermometer to monitor the temperature of the damper during operation. Follow the instructions that are included with the infrared thermometer. If the temperature reaches
Inspect the damper for evidence of dents, cracks, and leaks of the fluid.
If a fluid leak is found, determine the type of fluid. The fluid in the damper is silicone. Silicone has the following characteristics: transparent, viscous and smooth.
If the fluid leak is oil, inspect the crankshaft seals for leaks. If a leak is observed, replace all of the seals.
Inspect the damper and repair or replace the damper for any of the following reasons.
- The damper is dented, cracked, or leaking.
- The paint on the damper is discolored from heat.
- The engine has had a failure because of a broken crankshaft.
- The crankshaft bearings are showing excessive wear.
- There is a large amount of gear train wear that is not caused by a lack of oil.
Refer to the Disassembly and Assembly Manual, "Vibration Damper - Remove and Install" article or consult your Cat dealer for information about damper replacement.