make a long story short, my dad took in his GST to have the 60,000 timing belt change. I told him I'd take care of it in two weeks, but evidentally his water pump started leaking so he took it to a mechanic that very day without asking me (ha ha, do I sound protective of this car or what)

Anyways, now it sounds like crap. Per my dad, they changed "4 belts" (he does not know what they are, I'm hoping at least 2 of them were the timing belt and the balancer belt) and put on a new tensioner b/c the old one was leaking (at least they did that). I asked about the pulleys and he didn't know what I was talking about, and I'm pretty certain they left the old pulleys on. He told me over the phone it "idles horrible, doesn't sound right." My first thought was the timing belt is off one tooth.

So I went to their house today, and started the car. Actually it idles okay. But it sounds squeaky as hell. if you rev it, it comes back down squeaking and clunky sounding. The sound of a 4g63 was the one thing I liked over the 420a, but that cool "purr" is gone. And I believe I notice a greater amount of shake in the car and when looking at the engine. I haven't driven that car in months so I don't know if that's what it's typically like, but I asked my dad if he noticed that as well, and he said that "it definately shakes more, even the hood is shivering."

So my guess is that the timing on the balancer belt was done wrong. I haven't heard of this done before (not like I work on 4g63s all that often) so I wanted to ask you guys. Is that easy to mess up, or do you think that it's the likely culprit? I don't think it's the timing belt - like I said it idles fine, seems to build boost like before, and the power seems like it was before.

They also pressure washed the engine. bastards! who knows what that would have screwed up. any advice is welcome

Originally posted by ez
They also pressure washed the engine. bastards! who knows what that would have screwed up. any advice is welcome

Maybe thats what caused the eratic idle. It may be missing now that something got wet.

I would at least change the plugs (get NGK's of course)

the idle isn't erratic per se, it's just sounds like crap.

I had a friend that decided on a whim to "wash" my engine bay. I was tearing my hair out trying to figure out why it wouldn't stay running until I pulled the plugs....I probably pulled a cup a water out of the spark plug wells. *sigh*

VERY good chance that the balance shafts are out of alignment. That would be the cause of the shaking.
Pulleys can be re-used, but sometimes they need to be cleaned and packed with new grease. At 60K they should be fine.
The timing can be off a tooth and be just fine. Best thing to do is have someone check the timing with a timing light.
But definately have the balance shaft alignment fixed!!!! Pronto.
The engine bay can be washed, even pressure washed, you just need to keep the spray aimed away from the spark plug area and an open element air filter.

Cody

thanks!

Yep, sounds like the balance shafts. They are easy to get 180 degrees out if you don't know what to look for.

Originally posted by Jeff_99gs
Yep, sounds like the balance shafts. They are easy to get 180 degrees out if you don't know what to look for.

Bah...
Just take em out lol :P

Originally posted by Jen
VERY good chance that the balance shafts are out of alignment. That would be the cause of the shaking. Pulleys can be re-used, but sometimes they need to be cleaned and packed with new grease. At 60K they should be fine. The timing can be off a tooth and be just fine. Best thing to do is have someone check the timing with a timing light. But definately have the balance shaft alignment fixed!!!! Pronto. The engine bay can be washed, even pressure washed, you just need to keep the spray aimed away from the spark plug area and an open element air filter. Cody

I was shocked to see a technical responce from Jen, then I realized Cody wrote it. :P What was your old SN? it's been so long I forgot. haha.
Oh, no offense Jen about the first comment if you happen to stumble on this post...

Originally posted by eclipzGST
I was shocked to see a technical responce from Jen, then I realized Cody wrote it. :POh, no offense Jen about the first comment if you happen to stumble on this post...

:wary

Ask Cody, he used my help on most everything we've done. Without me he would have never been able to replace pistons and such (although he says he would have gotten it done eventually. And Cody, you know it!
I'd like to say I'm more of a hands on kind of person, rather than explaining things. :shrug

Originally posted by Jen

Originally posted by eclipzGST I was shocked to see a technical responce from Jen, then I realized Cody wrote it. :POh, no offense Jen about the first comment if you happen to stumble on this post...

:wary Ask Cody, he used my help on most everything we've done. Without me he would have never been able to replace pistons and such (although he says he would have gotten it done eventually. And Cody, you know it! I'd like to say I'm more of a hands on kind of person, rather than explaining things. :shrug

Sorry Jen! I guess it's true: It's one thing to tell someone how to do something and another to show them...
Isn't that how the saying goes?

Originally posted by Jen

Originally posted by eclipzGST I was shocked to see a technical responce from Jen, then I realized Cody wrote it. :POh, no offense Jen about the first comment if you happen to stumble on this post...

:wary Ask Cody, he used my help on most everything we've done. Without me he would have never been able to replace pistons and such (although he says he would have gotten it done eventually. And Cody, you know it! I'd like to say I'm more of a hands on kind of person, rather than explaining things. :shrug

Ah, don't let my silly wife fool you. She definately "assisted" me plenty of times in the garage, but I'll leave the house remodeling to her. :+
There were a couple times when I lost my patience that she figured something out. Like back when I got my first engine stand and couldn't figure out how to align the damn brackets to the threads on the block. I didn't have the proper bolts either and lost my cool cause I wanted to get working on the car.
Another time was when I installed my first set of ARP head studs and had trouble getting a couple nuts to thread down on the studs. She lifted the head up a little to allow more room up top. I can screw up the simplest things, but am usually good at figuring out complex automotive issues. Go figure.:shrug I guess that's what a woman is good for, the simple things and simple pleasures! :D Just kidding honey.

Back to topic: Ez, you get the car fixed yet?

Originally posted by DSMxTSi
Back to topic: Ez, you get the car fixed yet?

Ha ha, thanks you thread hijackers you.

Well, I told my dad that my initial suspicion was the balancer belt, and since all you guys seem to back that up, I told him to bring it back to the mechanic and recheck it. I gave him the printup from VFAQ to take to the mechanic. I believe it shows the balancer belt timing marks on that document. If they don't do anything I guess I'll just have to redo it myself.

Just do it yourself anyway. :thumbsup
I started doing all my own shit about 8-9 years ago when I was raped by Mitsu for an aftermarket clutch install. I had bought an RPS clutch from Marc Hallman for my first DSM (1995 Talon AWD) and took it to Mitsu. They installed it no problem but then couldn't get the car to even start. So I called Marc Hallman and he had me talk John Sheppard who was an Eagle Tech at that time. John told me what to have Mitsu look for and adjust, plus faxed me some papers to take to Mitsu. So $900 later I got my car back and haven't taken anything to a dealer or mechanic since.

it's fixed. it was indeed the balancer belt. BTW, the guy said it was off by "one tooth", not 180 degrees. thanks for your input guys! :thumbsup