105,345 miles, 06/05/14, Harmonic Balancer (Fluidampr) Rubber VS Silicone Fluid“Critical harmonic vibrations occur numerous times in a engine’s operating range. Stock rubber and elastomer-type dampers are frequency sensitive “tuned absorbers”, and work at only one critical frequency. In the case of a stock rubber damper, it is tuned for a factory engine’s critical harmonic vibrations. If you change the mass of pistons, rods, or the crankshaft, you change the natural frequency of the crankshaft assembly; therefore, the stock damper is no longer tuned to the new frequency of vibration, and you may be headed for early failure of expensive engine components. Dampers also create heat while they work, and rubber is a poor dissipator of heat. This heat and the exposure to the elements deteriorates rubber, causing it to crack and change durometer, which then leads to inertia ring slippage, damper failure, uncontrolled torsional vibration, and costly engine parts breakage.”
“Crankshaft Deflection - The Invisible Enemy Each time the air/fuel mixture inside a cylinder is ignited, the combustion that results creates a torque spike - an extremely rapid rise in cylinder pressure. This pressure, applied to the top of the piston, becomes the force that is applied to the crankshaft through the connecting rod. Each torque spike is like a hammer blow. In fact, it hits with sufficient intensity that it not only causes the crankshaft to turn, it actually deflects or twists it. This twisting action and the resulting rebound (as the crank arm snaps back in the opposite direction) is known as torsional harmonic vibration. If not adequately controlled, torsional vibration causes rapid main bearing and main journal wear and possible crankshaft breakage.
“First, although harmonics occur over a broad range of engine speeds, rubber and elastomer-type dampers are frequency sensitive - they are tuned only to control harmonic vibrations that occur within a narrow band of rpm. However, there is more than one area within the operating range of a performance engine that critical harmonic vibrations occur, therefore, elastomer dampers may not be effective. The resulting lack of vibration control could prove to be very destructive. Rubber is also a poor dissipator of heat, and dampers by their nature create heat as they work to reduce vibration. As the rubber gets hotter, it does not work as well. Second, rubber breaks down when exposed to the elements. Over time, the rubber strip can crack and begin to deteriorate due to age and exposure. This can lead to inertia ring slippage, damper failure, and uncontrolled torsional vibration, which leads to costly parts breakage.”
"Fortunately, harmonic vibration can be controlled by a vibration damper - which is also called a harmonic damper or erroneously a "harmonic balancer". The main purpose of a "harmonic damper" is to control harmonic vibration, not necessarily to balance the engine's rotating assembly.”
“Fluidampr® Performance Diesel dampers offer the best protection against torsional vibrations. Performance tuned or stock, your diesel engine will run more efficiently with a viscous Fluidampr® installed.”
“Fluidampr® has tested on both stock and performance tuned diesel pick-ups. Dyno tests have shown consistent increases in horsepower and torque. Typical HP gains of 6-8 and torque gains of 15-30 pounds feet.”