Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) silencer ring was loose!

[JohnE]

I took off the intake hose and BHAF to re-torque the downpipe bolts after my 4" exhaust install this week.

I was <em>shocked</em> to find the silencer ring and snap ring loose in the intake hose. The snap ring appears OK, but the outer edge of the silencer ring has gouges. I checked the compressor wheel and it is fine, however the nut on the shaft has nicks. I assume they were from the silencer ring striking the nut and thus the gouges.



I did remove the silencer ring after installing the BHAF back in April. I didn't like the high frequency whistle and the ring was reinstalled after a single test drive. I'm an experienced mechanic and made sure the snap ring was fully seated when re-installing. I've had the intake hose off a few time since then and always give things a check before closing it up. Never a problem.



The only thing I can figure is that when installing my exhaust system the guy used an impact wrench to tighten the downpipe collar and it bounced the snap ring loose.



Anyone else experience this?



<strike>Anyone have a spare snap ring they would send me?</strike>

My snap ring looked OK, but I don't want to take chances and will replace it anyway <em>WITH A NEW ONE</em>. I figure the battle worn silencer ring won't hurt anything. <small>(I still do not like the whistle either. )</small>



diesel on

-John



<small><em>edit

Removed request for a used snap ring. Only a new one for me as fest3er replied. I also changed some wording to make it read better. </em></small>

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by JohnE
... Anyone have a spare snap ring they would send me? My snap ring looked OK, but I don't want to take chances and replace it anyway. I figure the pock marked silencer ring won't hurt anything... .

There have been other threads on this topic. The advice is to throw away the snap ring and buy a new one. They should not be re-used, as you seem to have found out.

Good luck!

Fest3er

 

[JohnE]

I've read many threads with silencer ring stories where they didn't get the snap ring fully seated or damaged the snap ring when removing it and thus the silencer ring was running loose in a short amount of time. I don't remember any stories similar to mine where it took 4 months.



I guess I post more as a caution to others that remove the silencer ring and later re-install it.

BTW

I will be replacing the snap ring



-John

 

[moparguy]

JohnE, I had the same thing happen about a year ago. And I was sure I had seated the snap ring properly, however it was the original ring.



Since then I've grown to like the sound of the turbo sans the silencer. It's kinda muffled by the BHAF as compared to the loud high pitched whine from the stock box without the silencer.



On reflection, I've also done extensive sound mitigation on my truck which may explain my tolerance.

 

[Extreme1]

Hi John,



I had kind of the same thing happen. I've had the silencer ring in and out several times with different air filter options. A few weeks after the last time I reinstalled it, I noticed the whistle might be a little louder. After a couple weeks (arm was in a sling), I disassembled it to install a velocity stack in its place (THANKS Amianthus!). The retaining ring was out but the silencer ring stayed put. I don't plan on reinstalling it.



You probably could stretch the ring to apply more tension but a new one is the safest bet. It sounds like you dodged a bullet, that could have been a lot worse.