Balance Shaft Drive Chain and Tensioner Install

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire and 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.

IMPORTANT: If the balance shafts are not properly timed to the engine, the engine may vibrate and make noise.

Install the upper balance shaft chain guide and bolts.

Fig 1: View Of Upper Balance Shaft Drive Chain Guide
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Tighten: Tighten the upper balance shaft chain guide bolts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
Install the small balance shaft chain guide.

Fig 2: Exploded View Of Small Balance Shaft Drive Chain Guide
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the balance shaft chain guide bolts.
Tighten: Tighten the chain guide bolts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
Install the adjustable balance shaft drive chain guide.

Fig 3: View Of Adjustable Balance Shaft Chain Guide
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the adjustable balance shaft drive chain guide bolts.
Tighten: Tighten the chain guide bolts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
Reset the timing chain tensioner by performing the following steps:
1. Turn the tensioner plunger 90 degrees in its bore and compress the plunger.
2. Turn the tensioner back to the original 12 o'clock position and insert a paper clip through the hole in the plunger body and into the hole in the tensioner plunger.
Fig 4: View Of Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Install the timing chain tensioner.
Install the chain tensioner bolts.
Tighten: Tighten the chain tensioner bolts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
Remove the paper clip from the balance shaft drive chain tensioner.