broken harmonic balancer 96 4-cyl

[Scott Long]

Went to look at a metro today, 96 4-cyl. Car starts and runs but has no power. It engages in gear and will move but very slowly. There is a knocking noise from the passenger side of the engine which I believe is a broken balancer flopping around. If the balancer broke the car probably has slipped time and that would explain the loss of power.

Is harmonic balancer failure common on the 1.3L engine? Also where is a good source to get a balancer and bolt, and what price range is expected. It looks like the engine will need to pulled to change the balancer. The car is a 4-dr. automatic, 88k miles. Acquiring it for free if I can decide if its worth the repair.

[geozukigti]

What you're probably hearing is a bent connecting rod. Suzuki motors are internally balanced. There is no harmonic balancer of any kind on them. It could also have a spun bearing.