Can I drive a car with a bad balance shaft

[Joker2498]

Ok I searched all through the forum but i didn't see an answer to my specifc question so what would need to be done to be able to drive a car with a bad balance shaft. The car is two hours away from my house so what ever i do needs to be so that i can get it home. any help would be great thanks guys.

 

[Supa Dexta]

When it goes it can take out the timing belt.

". This little balance shaft belt runs immediately alongside the main timing belt. If it breaks, it almost invariably strikes the timing belt with great force. This results in one of two things: either the main timing belt breaks as a result of the impact, or it 'skips' - that is, jumps teeth on the gears - and the timing between the crankshaft and camshafts becomes radically incorrect. Either way, the end result is usually the same.

Should the timing belt break, the camshafts will be held in a static position while the crankshaft is still turning. In other words, the pistons will be moving, while the valves will be staying still. If the valves are stuck in a position where they are 'in the way', the pistons will strike them during their normal travel. "

 

[outkastracing]

dont drive it theres way to much risk of that breaking and doing more bad than good!!! tow it some how some way then do a balance shaft removal get rid of those things

 

[Joker2498]

Ok here is the full 411. I was looking at purchaseing this car. Is there an easy way to find out how bad the damage is and what should I be asking the seller to see if he can tell me? He's only asking $1000 for the car and it's a '91 Talon TSI AWD. Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[4pistons]

what would need to be done to be able to drive a car with a bad balance shaft

What do you mean a bad balance shaft? Which shaft? A broken belt?

If you mean a broken belt it's the front one. Get it out of there before it tangles up with the Timing Belt and trashes the valves. You can drive it without the shaft turning you just feel more vibration than normal.

Is there an easy way to find out how bad the damage is and what should I be asking the seller to see if he can tell me

If you suspect ANY damage do this in order:

With the spark plugs out carefully turn the engine over BY HAND with a wrench. If it stops at all you've probably got a bent valve.

If it turns freely through two revolutions do a compression check on all cylinders to see if it already bent the valves out of the way of the pistons.

If it has decent compression you can probably start the car and drive it but only if a broken belt is removed!

I'm only adressing the balance shaft/timing belt issue here, not other maintenance checks.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[Mr Peepers]

If the rear balance shaft bearing spun (common as far as balance shaft failures go) I would NOT drive it let alone start it. I was forced/dumb enough to take it to work one day. Upon disassembly there were fine metal shavings in every oil galley and a in the pan. The timing belt also left a powder like residue around the oil pump sprocket, perhaps from the extra load (the oil pump sprocket also drives the rear balance shaft). Not worth the risk of timing belt failure, not to mention quickly degrade your engine.