Engine balancing

[spetz]

Will balancing an engine to say 0.1g or less make it smooth? Silky smooth?

I always thought there was more to it than that.
Will this make it want to rev more and make more power?

[wynode]

By balancing I belive people reffer to making sure pistons and rods are all the same weight with respect to each other. It's not only about making it smooth......but by balancing an engine......you make it more reliable and reduce the wear on crank journals and bearings.

[spetz]

I know that's what balancing meant, I was just wondering would this make an engine silky smooth? ie no vibrations whatsoever???

[tinkerbell]

it is the whole SYSTEM that makes it smooth,

not just a few balanced parts,

balance of the whole reciprocating assembly will help achieve this,

BTW - an engine will always vibrate.

[ProECU]

I wouldnt say vibrate, i'd say resonate.

[tinkerbell]

thanks for your input

[ProECU]

thanks for your sarcasm

[tinkerbell]

i am sure it helpd spertz as much as your tangential comment?

[ProECU]

would you prefer I use more technical terms like "silky smooth" next time?

[spetz]

What's going on with you two girls???

How come then BMW engines are so "silky smooth"?

And what effects would I have if I completely balanced everything in my engine??

[PhatSol]

How come then BMW engines are so "silky smooth"?

Because they put an inch of sound deadening under the carpet? :)

[spetz]

So you are saying BMW engines are not infact smooth but just "appear" to be smooth?

[bennjamin]

So you are saying BMW engines are not infact smooth but just "appear" to be smooth?

every bmw engine ive heard over 5 years old is as loud and clacky as my old mans truck :confused: Perhaps just head noise...but dam its noticeable.


Is that becasue of engines becoming "out of balance" over time ?

[spetz]

I would guess its the valvetrain
Maybe tappets?

[PhatSol]

So you are saying BMW engines are not infact smooth but just "appear" to be smooth?

Not entirely, but the sound deadning and engine mounting does have a lot to do with how smooth the engine appears. However BMW does have a reputation for exacting tolerances inside the motor, even more so than Honda.

[tinkerbell]

hey spertz - will it help you if i tell you your engine is already balanced from factory?

you would only be balancing it more...

and it would make hardly any difference to NVH (noise vibration harshness) levels in a car. (unless it was damaged or put together wrong...)