Balance Shaft Delete?

[PatO]

Hi. My 2015 S60 (Inline 4cyl) has a failed balance shaft unit. Given a number of other problems I don't want to put any $ into this car.

I am considering just removing the balance shaft altogether.

Has anyone else considered doing this? Or, preferably, actually done this?

There are a lot of balance shaft delete conversion kits for other engines, but I cannot find anything for Volvos.

The only challenge I can think of is a reliable way of blocking the oil flow to the balance unit somehow.

So if anyone has experience with the balance shaft I would appreciate any ideas.

Thank you.

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by PatO

Hi. My 2015 S60 (Inline 4cyl) has a failed balance shaft unit. Given a number of other problems I don't want to put any $ into this car.

I am considering just removing the balance shaft altogether.

Has anyone else considered doing this? Or, preferably, actually done this?

There are a lot of balance shaft delete conversion kits for other engines, but I cannot find anything for Volvos.

The only challenge I can think of is a reliable way of blocking the oil flow to the balance unit somehow.

So if anyone has experience with the balance shaft I would appreciate any ideas.

Thank you.

I'd suggest either fixing the car or moving it on.

That balance shaft makes the engine so much smoother than the D3, which doesn't have it. Please note, however, that the D3 and D4 are similar but not identical engines, so deleting the shaft won't necessarily lead to a properly working solution. I wouldn't be surprised if removing that shaft brings its own additional problems.

What mileage is the car?

[PatO]

Thanks very much for the quick feedback.

Yeah, unless I hear from someone that they tried it and it worked well, I would not risk it. You are right. Although racers love to remove balance units, it may not be best for this car.

The car has 88,000 miles.

It has the oil consumption problem due to the faulty 2-piece oil ring design introduced years ago. (Technical Journal problem issued)

It also has faulty door locks that need to be replaced on all four doors (another Technical Journal problem.)

Combined with the balance shaft failure, the dealer has quoted $9000CDN to fix everything. Or they MAY offer $3000 for a trade-in, depending on what we buy.

I've stabilized the oil consumption (1qt/1500 mi) by changing oil every 3000 miles. I am mostly worried about the balance shaft as it is noisy and I understand failure can be catastrophic. I'd replace it myself but setting the gear backlash to spec for this unit sounds a bit tricky.

Too bad. The body and the interior are in great shape and my wife loves to drive the car.

Thanks again.

[PatO]

Oh and I should have mentioned it is Gasoline/Petrol not diesel.

Thanks

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by PatO

Thanks very much for the quick feedback.

Yeah, unless I hear from someone that they tried it and it worked well, I would not risk it. You are right. Although racers love to remove balance units, it may not be best for this car.

The car has 88,000 miles.

It has the oil consumption problem due to the faulty 2-piece oil ring design introduced years ago. (Technical Journal problem issued)

It also has faulty door locks that need to be replaced on all four doors (another Technical Journal problem.)

Combined with the balance shaft failure, the dealer has quoted $9000CDN to fix everything. Or they MAY offer $3000 for a trade-in, depending on what we buy.

I've stabilized the oil consumption (1qt/1500 mi) by changing oil every 3000 miles. I am mostly worried about the balance shaft as it is noisy and I understand failure can be catastrophic. I'd replace it myself but setting the gear backlash to spec for this unit sounds a bit tricky.

Too bad. The body and the interior are in great shape and my wife loves to drive the car.

Thanks again.

Not a good advert for Volvo.....

[Wagon Sailor]

Is a Volvo balance shaft belt-driven? If so, can you just remove the belt?

[PatO]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

Is a Volvo balance shaft belt-driven? If so, can you just remove the belt?

Thanks. Great question.

Probably for older models it was but for this model the balance shaft is driven by a gear on the crankshaft. It is mounted under the crank, and to install there is a precision gear alignment procedure to follow, including a special gauge, to ensure the gears mesh.

When this car was released there was no field replacement procedure for the balance unit in VIDA. But so many have failed they have figured out how to install new ones in the field, with mixed results.

Thanks for the idea!

[Wagon Sailor]

Balancer shafts aren't always about smoothing out lumpiness. Sometimes, they just add a bit of 'feel' to make you think the engine's more refined than it really is.

We removed the belt from the balance shaft on our first Accord Type R. The mass was still there but the shaft was no longer rotating and the engine was quieter. Apocryphally, the mod released another 3hp.

[PatO]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

Balancer shafts aren't always about smoothing out lumpiness. Sometimes, they just add a bit of 'feel' to make you think the engine's more refined than it really is.

We removed the belt from the balance shaft on our first Accord Type R. The mass was still there but the shaft was no longer rotating and the engine was quieter. Apocryphally, the mod released another 3hp.

That's encouraging. Thank you.

I have read that a smaller Inline 4 cylinder engine can do without a balance shaft, but larger more powerful I4s do need a balancer shaft.

I am guessing your type R was in the same class as the Volvo engine for power, torque etc. So, its nice to hear you were happy when it was disabled.

Why did you disable the balance shaft in the first place?

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by PatO

That's encouraging. Thank you.

I have read that a smaller Inline 4 cylinder engine can do without a balance shaft, but larger more powerful I4s do need a balancer shaft.

I am guessing your type R was in the same class as the Volvo engine for power, torque etc. So, its nice to hear you were happy when it was disabled.

Why did you disable the balance shaft in the first place?

If it’s due to have a balance shaft then personally I would ensure it works unless there is a reason that you know it will be fine.

It’s not just vibration that you may or may not be able to feel, it’s also the longevity of the engine and drive train which may be less should you find that you. Are transmitting harsh vibrations through it.

The conversion of dual mass flywheels was very popular 1 years ago but seem to have died out now.

I can’t see Volvo fitting them personally unless they were needed?