This is my first post since joining this forum, so I am fully expecting some "noob" remarks. ok, its all good.

Here is my issue: I had a pretty loud knock coming from what sounded like a rod in cyl 2. I dumped the oil to check for metal: none. ok, I recently had the timing belt replaced and decided to pull the timing cover to check under there. I found that the balance shaft (front) has play...a little in and out and a little back and forth. when I rock the gear it sounds a lot like the noise that I hear. The timing belt has a little more movement than i think it should, but I dont think that is the problem... anyways, I'm thinking of cutting the balance shaft belt to see if that might take care of the noise.

Has anyone had similiar issues? does the oil pump run off of the balance shaft belt (like the dealer told me)?

will I have any issues if I slice the balance shaft belt?
has anyone else had a noisy front balance shaft or am i totally dianosing wrong?

I have a 2001 accord ex f23a1

 

This noise only happens on decell around 2000 rpm

 

You absolutely can cut the balancer belt and run without it. Many people do and don't report any vibration, in fact the only vibration will be if the shafts are out of time. The belts actually run off the crank not the oil pump. The oil pump just sits on the crank. I'm curious thought about the noise and the play. It could be the timing key is deformed and is allowing play which is causing the sound. It might be smart to take it back to the shop that did the timing belt and ask them to take a look at it under warranty.

 

The knock can still be a rod or main. The gap may have just become an issue to where you can hear it. You won't necessarily find metal right away