Balance shaft belt?

[Morphius]

I just got my car running again after fighting issues with the fuel pump.

It's sitting there idling and something under the hood starts letting the magic smoke out. From the front of the engine. Quick glance, it's not accessory belts. There was no AC belt on, and the pwr strg and alt. belt are fine. My guess is the balance shaft bearing went bad and burned the balance shaft belt up.

Any issues with just taking the belt off and leaving the balance shaft in? Or do I have to install a balance shaft eliminator kit, which is essentially a "plug". It's cold out and I really don't want to play around with removeing the balance shaft, or installing a new balance shaft belt. If it is bad,I'd just rip it out. The main belt should be OK as there is only 30K on it.

 

[BUCK]

As far as a "blank" in the front case for the front balance shaft - The old shaft & seal are just fine for doing that - My front shaft is in with a new seal retained by the old gear & the little seal sleeve, So you'd be OK there - (my rear shaft is gone) - I think the problem is you'll have ONE balance shaft - the rear one - still turning - Anybody I heard who did that said it shook hard enough to hurt the Motor Mounts. I always wondered what would happen if you intentionally timed the rear balance shaft 90 degrees out from where it was (stock) - if that would help in an "emergency" such as yours?????? You COULD be the "Guinea Pig"...

So all you need is the part of the "KIT" that gets rid of the rear balance shaft - the Oil Pump Shaft from a 1.6 Mirage.

You're gonna have the front case cover off anyway to get to the bad balance belt.... Not to be mean but you're getting ready to find out why you should have canned all that B/Shaft crap when you put the new belt on 30K ago. Morph - feel free to delete the thread & move it (wrong Forum)- no hard feelings - Good Luck.

 

[Morphius]

Ahhhh, yes. I forgot about the rear b-shaft. Dam, dam, dammmm. First, I'll see if that's the issue and then look at how bad the vibration is. Could be tolerable for a short week until I can get it in my storage unit to work on. (too many projects!!)

Thanks,
Morphius

 

[Morphius]

Anyone removed the balance shaft belt and driven the vehicle without it for an extended amount of time? I'm curious how bad it would be to leave it off until spring.

 

[dave99gst]

ive heard of people doing it.. never did it personaly tho'

 

[Morphius]

Worst fears true, it was the b-shaft belt. I'm just glad I caught it when I did.

In the interest of time, I think I'll just remove it and drive it like that until it warms up some and I've got more time. I'll just refrain from high rpm driving.

 

[Staged]

I had a question related to this. I just had the balance shaft belt go out on mine too. I got another, and replaced it this afternoon. No big deal, and it was easier than I thought! BUT! I cranked it up, and within about 5 seconds, smoke, and no more balance shaft belt! While I had it apart, the gear seemed to be fine.
Is the gear from the shaft connected to the oil pump? And can the oil pump safely work without the belt? I noticed that after the first belt went out, my oil pressure was fine when driving it home last night.
Basically, I need a definate answer to this... Can I remove the balance shaft belt, and run the car safely without any worries about the oil pump?
Thanks!

 

[Rx3]

The oil pump will function without the belts. You will notice a slight increase in oil pressure without the balance shafts spinning. However I don't think it's a good idea to leave that rear shaft in. You should take it out and plug the hole. The front shaft you can leave in.

 

[Staged]

Does anyone have a link to somewhere where I can get instruction on removing that rear shaft? Basic instruction will do. Nothing is too difficult, and I have an extended knowledge from most.
I am curious about what would happen if I left the rear balance shaft in? Is it just vibration I deal with? Or is there something drastic that will happen?

 

[Morphius]

Originally posted by Staged
I am curious about what would happen if I left the rear balance shaft in? Is it just vibration I deal with? Or is there something drastic that will happen?

Just vibration. I was going to go this same route when it happened to me. I thought maybe the front b-shaft bearing had gone and froze the shaft up. In the end, it was OK, so I decided to throw another belt on. The vibration is noticable, as I'm sure you witnessed. It's best to have the b-shafts in for the overall longevity of the crank and bearing, but I suspect that you've already got higher mileage and mods, so longevity is no longer an issue.

I'd try running without it. If the vibration doesn't bother you, you'll be fine.

 

[Staged]

I tried to run it with the balance shafts in. Not bad at all. I was kinda expecting the vibration of a 72 Nova with a 454 and crazy lope. It shutters every few seconds like the coil packs are missing a little, but that's it!
My oil pressure rose a LOT! I am still considering an electric oil pump, and filter relocation kit, plus the crank shield (baffle plate), so I will probably remove the shaft(s) anyway.
I got a chance to check my timing again, because there is a serious tapping at the valves on No. 1. I found I was 2 1/2 quarts low (From a misshap on Friday night with a self loosening oil filter [The seal was warped]), and will put that in to see if the tap diminishes.
The gear for the front balance shaft was VERY hard to spin by hand, and I literally had to use a ratchet to turn it. I am guessing that something is frozen, warped or missing? Should I check the oil pan for metal? Or would it still be in place with the gear so tight?
Thanks!
I hope that the original poster doesn't mind me doing all of this, I have a similar problem, and am willing to quickly use my car as a test for any and all logical ideas to give a better understanding of the quickest and safest options.