My ADE 423 has just been overhauled and its vibrating terribly

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Alan phones in 22nd Sept 2011
ADE 423 vibration

My ADE 423 has just been overhauled and its vibrating terribly, what can the problem be?

Suggestions from BDC 23rd Sept

Hi Alan,

Re: ADE 423 vibration, your telecom 22nd Sept 2011 refers

Please find attached a fault findingchart for the ADE 420 series.
The chart shows 13 possibilities for vibration, but that's normally for vibration that occurs assuming that the engine has been correctly assembled in the first place.

However for assembly faults examine:

• I think you can put them on wrong, but if you do the crankshaft won't turn because there's too little clearance and each weight has a slightly different shape.
• I've tried it myself once or twice on different engines, e.g. when checking work in from a crankshaft grinder who sent the weights loose after grinding the shaft, or as a training exercise for apprentices. I can't say its impossible for the 423, but it is unlikely.
• If you have the engine stripped, try it; what you are doing is to eliminate one possible cause for your vibration.
• A company who balances crankshafts can (cheaply) check if this is a problem, and if it's out of balance.
• Let me know.

• If mixed up, you will definitely have alignment problems, and maybe vibration problems too.
• But caps are normally marked, so the cap has a number and the block has a corresponding number, and the numbers must match on assembly.
• It is possible to mix these on certain engines.

• Make sure the front damper is not physically damaged in any way.
• Small indentations, may cause the damper not to function, there is so little internal clearance for viscous dampers.
• It is often an overlooked source of vibration.

• The flywheel is often doweled so you can't put it on wrong, but sometimes not, or the dowel is missing or lost during assembly.

• Two or more fuel pipes mixed up and connected to the wrong injectors.

Otherwise you'll have to work through the ADE 13 possible sources of vibrationuntil you find the problem.

Kind Regards

Steve

Alan replies same day

Thank you very much for all your valuable information. I will let you know the outcome, probably Wednesday.

Regards

Alan

4th Oct - Problem found!
Shout for joy!

Hi Steve,
thought that I would keep you in the picture.

I sent the crank, flywheel and vibration damper away for balancing.

When the guy saw the crank he immediately commented that the weights were wrong.

He says that the mechanic doing the work muddled up no 6 and no 9 weights.

Regards

Alan

Thanks Alan, we appreciate your input.

Hi Alan,

Thanks for your feedback, I do appreciate it. I would like to post this conversation onto our weblog, (without revealing your email or company address) as I'm sure it'll be of interest to many people. Let me know.

Kind Regards

Steve