Originally posted by Contouraholic:
ATX's have torque converter, not solid flywheel. That might change the natural frequency of the crank enough that it isn't the problem it is on MTX's.
Well, here is my experience with installing a DMD on an ATX. I did notice a reduction in vibration in mid-upper RPMs, but it was not what I would call dramatic. I attribute this to the fluid filled torque convertor acting much as a Fluidampr would.
However, I too have already experienced an engine failure. This happened after having an oil leak fixed at my local dealer. They replaced the oil pan gasket and front main seal. As soon as I picked the car up, I noticed that it seemed down on power. However, the dealership was closing and I figured the power loss might be due to the computer needing to relearn all the sensor calibrations since they had disconnected the battery.
Well, 15 miles later it had even less power. There were no right hand sweeping turns in that 15 miles, much less any taken at high rpms. I tested the engine by holding the accelerator down through first gear. The car held 6000 rpms for about 3 seconds and then shifted into second. Normally it would shift quickly at 6250. Power was way down and at the next stop light the engine was making a mechanical knocking sound and the oil light was flashing. The car now barely had enough power to get to 35 MPH. I stopped and checked the oil which was right up to the full mark.
Eventually the dealership was forced by Ford to replace my engine. I still don't know what they screwed up, since they refused to tear the engine down to inspect it. However, it does seem like this is the same type of failure (from the symptoms) as most Duratec failures. Perhaps they installed the damper wrong? Could they have counter rotated the crankshaft (supposedly a big no-no on Duratecs, as it damages the cam chain drive system), or did they install something in the oil pump/pickup assembly wrong?
I think the latter is the least likely cause, since it should have set off the oil pressure warning light before any damage occured (and obviously it was working, since it was flashing at me at the second stop light).
It's too bad they refused to tear the engine down. I really would like to know what caused my engine to fail.
