Balancer shaft belt and timing belt?

STEVO70

MEMBER
2000 ACURA RL
3.5L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
230,000 MILES

I did a timing belt replacement on this car, but it also has a balancer shaft belt. When I started the car the balancer shaft belt came off. I thought I did not tighten it enough. So, I repeated the procedures again but this time I made sure it was tight matching the pointers as required. On the crank shaft and balancer shaft sprocket. It popped out again. What could I be doing wrong?

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,054 POSTS

There is a belt guide that needs to be installed which I have pointed to in the image below. Also, if the belt tensioner has not been replaced, I would do that as well. If the bearing is worn on in the tensioner it will kick the belt off to the side and force it to come off of the pulleys. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Thursday, November 10th, 2022 AT 9:20 AM

STEVO70

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks so much for your help. I had first followed the black arrow before I saw the red one. I have sent you some photos so you can see my problem. So, there’s a belt guide at the very end of the shaft sprocket and one between shaft and crank shaft sprocket? I’m not sure the one in the photos is turned the right way.

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Friday, November 11th, 2022 AT 5:17 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,054 POSTS

It looks like you are missing one of the balancer belt guide retainer that holds the belt inline, the red arrow is pointing to it.

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Saturday, November 12th, 2022 AT 9:39 AM

STEVO70

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks Ken L. I found out that the belt guide is on the sprocket itself and had to turn the sprocket around and everything is fine as far as that is concerned. But I now have another problem. I’m trying to adjust the alternator belt on the same vehicle, but it will not tighten. It’s still semi- loose. And the more I keep trying to adjust the screw begins to bend I’ll send photos. I’ve bent two of these already. Can’t figure out why?

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