Balance Shaft Chain Alignment On 5 Cylinder 3.7 L Vortec Engine - GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado, Isuzu

[@bridgetrobertson7134]

Haven't seen a single instance of anyone anywhere changing the bearings on those balance shafts. Even during a full rebuild. You have to assume there's engines out there with 500k-800k miles on those bearings after a rebuild or two because no one can do it.

[@motorcarnut]

Very true!

[@Mike-qo4kp]

So, when the balance shaft bearings go, what's the plan?

[@motorcarnut]

They would have to be replaced. Low or no oil will destroy them but not every time. Usually the rod or main bearing go first and lock the engine.

[@luisalejandrofigueroaviram7479]

If im replacing the vvt sprocket and the timing chain, should i replace this one too? Or should be ok?

[@motorcarnut]

If it doesn’t have excessive play it should be fine.

[@murph0666]

Something you should note. The I5 is a Clockwise rotating engine. So when you are looking at it from the rear, you should be rotating in Counter-Clockwise. That ensures the engine is Clockwise when looking at it from the front / harmonic balancer.

[@motorcarnut]

Very true

[@JuniorJunior-g4c]

How do you remove the sprocket to replace the bearing or whatever it has . There is a lot o play in them sometimes. Not one video shows how to

[@motorcarnut]

What sprocket are you talking about?

[@CodyAdams-nv8od]

Is there a trick to getting the balance chain back on after removals

[@motorcarnut]

No, the same way it came off is how it goes on

[@tylerbidiman4346]

Mine isn't going on easy. There's not enough slack. It looks like a sprocket has to come off and go back on with the chain just like the front timing chain but I'm not sure how the sprocket comes off

[@motorcarnut]

@tylerbidiman4346 did you remove the tensioner? Should be just enough to get it off and on?

[@noahjasilaitis7139]

@@motorcarnutyou have to remove the left sprocket(the one under the starter). It is left hand thread also. So you will have turn bolt clockwise to loosen

[@huggi3z08]

How many miles does this chain typically last?

[@motorcarnut]

Depends on how you maintain your engine with proper oil changes. But typically 200k

[@HaythamBuKhadra]

Is it thar same for 3.5 engine?

[@motorcarnut]

Very similar

[@Angeli.]

I never work in that engine 🙃🙃

[@motorcarnut]

They are decent engines but have weak crankshafts for some reason.