Flexplate knocking.

[82HorizonGLH]

The flexplate on my Horizon started knocking today. Before this was a bit of an intermittent problem that would always seem to happen when I was away from my house, or in a rush to get somewhere and couldn't check it out. Today it decided to be there all the time, and I took a look at it. My inspection plate is horribly bent (both top and bottom pieces) and my flexplate to torque converter bolts were loose and looked rubbed. They appear to be hitting on part of the inspection plate somewhere and my only option appears to be to take it off.

Question is - can I leave it off, rather than trying to straighten it and put it back on? Or is it important for any sort of spacing or something. I'm pretty pissed off at it right about now because everything I tried didn't fix it and the fact that I now have to pull the motor has me annoyed even more. Replies asap would be nice, it's a nice day out and I could probably have this done before dark if I find out if I can leave it off.

While I have it out I'll double check to make sure the flexplate isn't cracked around the crank holes..if it is, gives me a reason to upgrade to a manual trans, maybe.

[crazymadbastard]

tighten the torque converter bolts probably will fix the issue. do not leave the shield off- it will warp the case if you tighten the bolts down w/o it.

[82HorizonGLH]

Tightening the TC bolts did not fix the issue. I did that already and it continued to knock like crazy. I can see it hitting the inspection cover, no matter how much I try and bend it out of the way, the cover is actually bent so badly that it still hits.

[crazymadbastard]

you must have a broken flexplate- can you see it wobling?

[82HorizonGLH]

Nope, looks pretty sturdy as it spins. When I tell you it's my upper inspection cover, believe me, I'm 99% sure that's what it is. I can see the torque converter bolts hitting it because of how it is bent. I cannot make that clear enough. The cover is bent, warped, twisted, not straight. While I'm going to double check the flex plate when I have the engine out, I'm 99% sure that is not that problem. I can see the problem. The problem is a warped inspection cover.

I'm not going to be able to straighten it, I tried that when we first put the engine in and for a while I had it fixed, but I must have hit a bump that knocked it out of place and let a TC bolt hit it and really caused it to bend.

[turbokid]

Ya I think my GTC has the same problem. Sounds like a diesel but still runs and drives lmao

[82HorizonGLH]

Well, got everything apart. Turns out I had a cracked.....





inspection plate! Heh. It was almost broken into two when I pulled it out...Got everything back together just before the real rain hit, I guess.