Just took my 2000 windstar sel 3.8L 165K miles to Firestone to check what I thought was a rough idle but the tech thinks its the harmonic balancer. I believe he said it looks cracked. I was not there to see for myself. I'll have to wait til morning to see. My question is, can the vehicle be driven if it is the harmonic balancer? Also, is $350 a good price to place the balancer?

 

A lot depends on what you see when you get there.
Who knows how long you have been driving it , if it is cracked?
How long have you had the rough idle condition?
If the "crack" appears not definite, sometimes a second opinion is a good thing.

 

The vibration started on startup wednesday morning. The windstar shakes like a model t when parked but subsides at highway speeds with a slight vibration still present. My vehicle also needs a new water pump and heater hose. Any advise would be appreciated

 

Ford has had some cracked balancer problems.
Since whoever will be doing the work will be in there, It's always a good idea to consider replacing the belt and water pump while it's apart. Heater hose too.