Anyone know what this is....

[mazda3zoom]

so ive gotta rod knock and today i started takin the motor apart and i dont know what this box thing is. im tryin ta get to the connecting rods and this damnthings in the way.

[Brian MP5T]

Looks like a harmonic Balance Shaft.

[Brian MP5T]

BALANCE SHAFT http://images.about.com/all/bullets/dot_clea.gif Definition: A shaft designed so that, as it rotates, it vibrates in a way that reduces or cancels some of the vibration produced by an engine. Not essential to an engine's operation, balance shafts are nonetheless becoming increasingly common as a means of engine refinement. Balance-shafted four-cylinder engines use two shafts turning in opposite directions on either side of the engine's crankshaft. A single balance shaft is used when fitted to three-cylinder and V-6 engines.

[Brian MP5T]

Is it hooked to the crank?

[ChopstickHero]

Looks like a harmonic Balance Shaft.\


hehe... you said shaft

[tsunami]

thats what i was thinkin, looks like vibratory motors... (balance shafts)

[Brian MP5T]

Looks like the mazda 3 has a timing chain not a timing belt...

[mazda3zoom]

yeah its hooked to the crank because i was turning the engine over manually and i could see those things spinning too. so that means if i take that off its gonna have to be in the exact same place as it was before or else it wont work properly??? also while i was turning the motor over i could hear air leaking from somewhere. is it normal to hear that or do i have a bad piston ring? if its a bad piston ring that could put more pressure on that connecting rod bearing causing it to go bad. Right?

[mazda3zoom]

Looks like the mazda 3 has a timing chain not a timing belt...

if your reffering to that little chain that just goes to the oil pump, i dont think you can see the timing chain or belt in those pics.

[Brian MP5T]

yeah its hooked to the crank because i was turning the engine over manually and i could see those things spinning too. so that means if i take that off its gonna have to be in the exact same place as it was before or else it wont work properly??? also while i was turning the motor over i could hear air leaking from somewhere. is it normal to hear that or do i have a bad piston ring? if its a bad piston ring that could put more pressure on that connecting rod bearing causing it to go bad. Right?

Are the spark plugs in? If so the air is normal.

The timing on the balance shafts will have to be exactly where it is now or the engine will run like ass. The car will run faster without them but not be as nice to drive. It's like a flywheel, the lighter the wheel, the less rotational mass...

[Brian MP5T]

if your reffering to that little chain that just goes to the oil pump, i dont think you can see the timing chain or belt in those pics.

So the oil pump has it's own chain? Crazy!

[mazda3zoom]

yea the oil pump has its own chain, you can look up there and see where its connected to the crank. So IF i took that balancing thing off would the power gains even be noticable?? and how bad do you think the engine will shake without it???

[tsunami]

power gains would be negligable... you may rev a bit faster, but its not the same as a lightened flywheel, there are some guys on here who have done the bs delete, i don't think they are actually removing the complete set up as you want to, i would ask them first, i believe badger biker did, and a few others, check some sigs they say it in there...

[Brian MP5T]

yea the oil pump has its own chain, you can look up there and see where its connected to the crank. So IF i took that balancing thing off would the power gains even be noticable?? and how bad do you think the engine will shake without it???

I think you would miss them.

[AzMz3]

power gains would be negligable... you may rev a bit faster, but its not the same as a lightened flywheel, there are some guys on here who have done the bs delete, i don't think they are actually removing the complete set up as you want to, i would ask them first, i believe badger biker did, and a few others, check some sigs they say it in there...

I have done it awhile ago and it is more of a drivablity mod than a power mod. It was dyno test and showed a gain of 3whp and 3wtq.
There is no added vibration at all.
I woudn't compare it to a lighten flywheel though. But it is a nice mod to do.
You will need to plug the gulley hole if you are removing them. There are a few ways to do it. I'd suggest the kit, but seems to be forever on backorder. You could always tap the hole and insert a bolt, not sure how safe that will be as I wouldn't do it that way.

[Brian MP5T]

So removing them will lighten the car, give 3 WHP and does not change the way the car drives... Bing Bing!

[Brian MP5T]

Can I ask why you didn't just take it to the dealer?

[mazda3zoom]

Can I ask why you didn't just take it to the dealer?

ive gotta 5o,000 mile warrenty and ive got 51,200.lol. :bs: