Broken balance shaft belt

[phynix21]

Just went to the auto shop and they took a quick look and said it was the balance shaft belt that broke. I don't have the money to get it fixed at the moment. They said that the broken belt could get into the timing belt and basically destroy the engine. My question is how likely is that to happen? Can't seem to find a diagram that shows me how close these two parts are located. I want to fix it but it has to wait until I get the money.

Car= 98 eclipse spyder gs 2.4 L

[LandoAWD]

They share the crank pulley. Fix it ASAP. It can (and likely will) get sucked into the t-belt, then you'll be out 16 valves.

[david-b]

Originally Posted by LandoAWD

They share the crank pulley. Fix it ASAP. It can (and likely will) get sucked into the t-belt, then you'll be out 16 valves.

Agreed. Get it fixed asap. Lucky it hasn't been sucked in yet.

[phynix21]

Yeah kind of figured that would be the response. Have to wait until I get the money to do it. Wish me luck cause I'll need it.

[phynix21]

How hard is it to do myself? I want to fix it but don't have money. I'll do it myself if I can. Fixed many things on that car myself so I have mo problem doing it myself. Special tools? Difficulty? Costs?

[david-b]

Originally Posted by phynix21

How hard is it to do myself? I want to fix it but don't have money. I'll do it myself if I can. Fixed many things on that car myself so I have mo problem doing it myself. Special tools? Difficulty? Costs?

If you've never done timing on a car it will be hard and take some time. But there are a ton of walk throughs on how to do it properly. First time I did somesomething similar to my car took about 6 hours just to dig in. At the end, could have the whole timing side torn down in about 45min. Granted, it was a different motor, but the same concepts are there.

As far as the process, you have to take off the side motor mount, timing cover, crank pulley, and take off timing belt (and probably tensioners). The motor will have to be raised up and lowered numerous times to get to all the bolts and like I said, will take some time.

Balance shaft belt I dont know what's required for that.

Then install is reverse, but setting the timing can be a pain the first (if not first couple) times. It must be dead on and perfect. Buy a Haynes manual and it has the walk through in there. Again, lots of online help on this area as well.

[phynix21]

Originally Posted by david-b

If you've never done timing on a car it will be hard and take some time. But there are a ton of walk throughs on how to do it properly. First time I did somesomething similar to my car took about 6 hours just to dig in. At the end, could have the whole timing side torn down in about 45min. Granted, it was a different motor, but the same concepts are there.

As far as the process, you have to take off the side motor mount, timing cover, crank pulley, and take off timing belt (and probably tensioners). The motor will have to be raised up and lowered numerous times to get to all the bolts and like I said, will take some time.

Balance shaft belt I dont know what's required for that.

Then install is reverse, but setting the timing can be a pain the first (if not first couple) times. It must be dead on and perfect. Buy a Haynes manual and it has the walk through in there. Again, lots of online help on this area as well.

Thanks now just need to find the time to learn as I go. Just hope it will last until then. Last thing I need while I'm driving it is for the broken belt to shift over into the timing belt.

[david-b]

Originally Posted by phynix21

Thanks now just need to find the time to learn as I go. Just hope it will last until then. Last thing I need while I'm driving it is for the broken belt to shift over into the timing belt.

I wouldn't even be driving it. If the belt does move over, that learning process is going to be much larger since then you'll have to pull the head and valves if not more. Playing with fire by still driving it.