Hi,
I have a 2001 Accord Ex sedan. The car started making a very loud ticking/knocking sound that I’m pretty sure I narrowed down to play in the front balancing shaft. I was able to check the rods as I thought it might be a rod knock. I can pull the shaft in and out a lot and there is also play side to side. Not sure if it’s just a bearing? Any advise on how to diagnose and fix would be much appreciated.

 

items #10, 11 and 12 are the sleeve bearings for the balance shaft(s). these are pressed into the block like cam bearings in a push rod engine. this is what the shaft rotates in.


it #12 the front balance shaft is held in by the retainer clip #14.

I have a hard time imagining a scenario where the balance shaft bearings would be worn and the main and rod bearings would be ok. they are feed pressurized oil from the same passages as the crank mains, but are under much less stress. it's possible that the bolts for the retainer are loose, broken or missing. that would allow axial movement (excessive) as would heavy wear on the retainer or corresponding thrust face of the shaft.

first thing I would do is reinstall the timing belt without the balance belt and see if the noise goes away (confirming your initial assumption that the shaft is the source of the noise). then drop the pan and unbolt the oil pump housing (can be moved away from the block but not removed entirely without pulling the engine out) so you can access the retainer for inspection.

it's not uncommon to run without the balance shafts connected (drive belt removed) you may feel the vibration, but if it doesn't bother you, it's not a huge deal to carry on that way.

 

Wow! That was super helpful! Thanks. Although I really don’t feel like digging to deep into this thing. It’s got 224,000 miles. I will let you know how it goes and what I find out. Thanks again.

 

If you don't want to sink money into it, just cut the balance shaft belt and run the engine without it. There are many F22/F23 owners who have deleted the balance shaft system and had no issues. Aside from a little bit of engine vibration.

 

Thanks for the help. I ended up eliminating the balancing shaft belt and the noise went away. Now I have another issue maybe you guys could help me out with. When I start the car it idles fine, can’t really notice any excess vibration, but after idling for about a minute it spits and sputters and then dies. Also if I put a load on the motor is dies. Any ideas on what could be going on? Maybe just a censor? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Any engine codes come up?

 

I haven’t plugged it in. I don’t have a code reader. Guess I should pick one up.

 

codes can still be checked the old-school way with a paper clip. jump the data service connector pins or (and i'm pulling this from memory.. double check me with a google search...) pin #8 and #13 on the OBD-II port. key on, engine off- CEL should flash. long for 10s short for 1s. (example: long, long, long, short, short= code 32) these are the OBD1 codes, so just cross reference to OBD-II P codes