HOW TO NOT FAIL! "Gravity Trick" Hyundai Mitsubishi timing belt info! 

You are the only one who has mentioned the oil pump shaft and how to quickly figure out where it is supposed to be. I am a semi retired auto tech of 48 years doing everything from sports cars and exotics to stock vehicles plus 10 years turning a wrench for several high dollar IMSA teams so I feel I am fairly well versed in the industry. Every time that I did that 2.4ltr I always struggled with the proper alignment of that sprocket. I am actually doing my daughters Santa Fe in the next day or two so this has come in very handy, thank you

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I rebuilt my daughter's engine a year ago and have been chasing vibrations ever since. I'm FIXING today, thanks to you!

Btw. when changing the crankshaftsensor I recommend putting a washer under the screw next to the sensor. So the wire will not be damaged by the timing belt ever again. Worked for me perfectly.

This was a life saver for me too. Put a new crank sensor on my mom's car, and I thought it was something else causing the vibration. I did cheat and drill a hole to access the water pump shaft bolts. That was a big time saver. Just put her car back together last night, and running smooth. Thanks for taking the time to post this video!! Now my mom will be her car doesn't stall from a bad crank shaft sensor, and I didn't give it back to her vibrating! Happy son!

Worked like a charm. Just completed the same repair on a friend's Kia and it fixed the gawd aweful vibration they been living with. Thank you for the video!

Today I did the job myself with ur precious tip. Few mechanics told me to replace the engine mounts. Had a bad vibration. You saved me dude. Thanks so much. You're a lifesaver.....

On my way home from work my 4 cyl Hyundai Santa Fe engine simply stopped running and I coasted the car into a service station. They diagnosed and replaced a broken crankshaft position sensor and while disassembled, I had them replace the timing belt assembly, tensioner, pulleys, and water pump. I brought the car back after the repairs were complete because the engine was very loud and the engine and the whole car vibrated. After going over the car again, the professional mechanics found no issues with their work, validated the car was properly timed, and returned the car keys to me. I knew something was just not right so I started diagnosing the engine myself. I checked and tested the engine mounts and found all 4 were in good condition. I then found your video and using your drillbit method validated that they did not have the engine properly timed. I then disassembled the front end of the motor and made the appropriate adjustments as you showed and the engine is running smooth again!! THANK YOU SO MUCH. I THOUGHT I HAD TRASHED THE ENGINE AND HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR, WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD. I typed a letter explaining this to the service station and provided them your video URL for them to use as a learning experience. I also asked if they would reconsider what they charged me as I spent about 8 hours doing all the rework, but never heard back from them. THANKS SO MUCH AGAIN! AvgJoe.

Thanks for the heads up on this, just did timing belt job on my Eclipse yesterday and your video helped in a huge way. Thanks again 😁

Bought a used 2002 Optima that always had this bad vibration. Previous owner said the timing belt had just been replaced and the car had the vibration described. When the balance shaft belt broke several thousand miles later, it took out the crankshaft sensor, stopping the engine. Lucky for me it did no harm to the timing belt. In watching this video, it is now obvious where the vibration came from. Evidently the balance shaft belt had not been changed. This is a great tip you have provided, many thanks.

thanks for your video!!! helped me with the same issue... after i saw your video, i went to install it properly... problems fixed... no more vibration

I did your trick when I did my timing belt on my Santa fe. You are the best! My motor always growled from the past timing belt change. I Baught the Santa fe used.

Thank you I'm doing this job for the first time and I was about to not do it due to lack of information about that balance shaft. Now I have complete confidence to get the job done right the 1st. Thanks again man

This is great, and another tip with this engine is to check that the pin inserted in the hydraulic tensioner still moves freely after adjusting to specification. Must be able to remove and reinsert it after the job's done

You are a GOD SEND my friend!!! I just got my JDM Mitsubishi Galant VR4 (4G63) back from the shop for TB and WP service. After picking it up, the car drove fine during normal driving BUT as soon as I started doing some "spirited driving" and engine revved over 4-5K RPM the car started vibrating like crazy. So I took it back to the shop only after 15min of driving it around and let my mechanic know about the issue. He had the car for a extra 2 days and still couldn't find out the issue. He was suspecting the motor mounts but those were solid. Can't wait til Monday to show him this video and hopefully correct this issue on the spot. Wish me luck.

You my friend, are the only person to reference this information regarding the 2.4L Hyundai Sonata motor. I never was able to locate that hole to insert the drill bit, however the Gravity rotation method works just fine Many THANKS to You!

Yes indeed you are my hero. I tried to buy a service manual and I couldn't find one anywhere. I need to get this car rolling again and I had no info on the details of how to replace the timing belt until I came across your video. Thank you...thank you...thank you. Julio Gonzalez

so glad you showed this is had a head gasket blow out and took it all apart and was having trouble putting it back to gather till I seen your video grant job and thank you again

Still helping after 9 years. I read this somewhere before, but couldn't remember the details. My timing belt didn't break but the oil pump belt broke so I needed this info thanks.

Hey, subtledriver, am I glad I saw this footage of yours! As per usual, even though I am a 'time served Mechanic' in the UK, when starting a job I have not done before, I was just going through all the info that is provided on here, by good and fair minded people such as yourself. Just to see if there are any good tips and tweaks. Am I glad I did!! Who the hell would know this, without the W/S manual?? Or... looking it up on the good ole' RU-vid!! Thank you my friend, you've most probably saved me a goodly amount of Time, Stress, Consternation and maybe 2 or 3 broken coffee cups!! ha ha! Take care and thanks again. Ron.

HEY, awesome video with a simple explanation. Changing my timing belt soon with no experience so this definitely made me understand every part more easily.

This is excellent! I have a 1G Eagle Talon that has the Mitsubishi 4G63 7-Bolt engine, and I first experienced this vibration issue at a shop years ago when they started it for me when I picked up the car. They had swapped the timing belt, but it was vibrating on the mounts, and was not doing that when I first brought it in. I pointed this out, and the owner of the shop rolled his eyes, and said that he knew what had happened. He told me to come back that afternoon, and by that time, it was fixed. In the Talon/Laser Chrysler service manual, it does show how to use a screwdriver in that hole in the engine block to "block the left silent shaft," but only for the purposes of the removal and re-installation of the oil pump gear/sprocket in case you are trying to replace seals, or removing the oil pump. It does not explain exactly what is going on. The silent (and other balance shaft) are kind of like baseball bats that have been sliced down the length in half, and are spinning lengthwise, creating a swift moving counterbalance to the actions of the engine. They don't explain this, and they don't tell you that the proper position for that silent shaft for timing belt/sprocket setting purposes is with the counterweight part of the shaft down (in the bottom of) it's housing. I learned that "rocking back and forth" trick a while later by chance after removing the screwdriver from the engine block, and then read that it was another way to double-check yourself before you put everything back together. Great video! Thanks!

On my 3rd timing belt replacement at 200k miles on my 2003 Santa Fe, 2.4L. I had the vibration problem on the second replacement, but did not know the gravity trick and could not locate the hole for the screwdriver, even though I had the All Data instructions. That time I was advised to turn it and then start it, to see if the vibration went away. Thank you for the detailed video. It will be very helpful on my next timing belt replacement.

Wow, thank you so much. I am replacing one this weekend. It did not jump so i will line up everything first. Great info to know.

Thanks for the tip man. Smart people like you make someone else's world an better world. Thanks again.

I want to say THANK YOU!!! Without your video, My husband would have not been able to fix my Mitsubishi Galant! We thought there was something "BIG" wrong with it. Thanks again!!!! :)

Well done and great, thorough explanation. I made same simple mistake and you sorted my problem out. Good you had decent camera access to make your demonstration effective. Again, thanks.

Hi My Name Is Darrell, as I was following your instraction to fix a timing belt your was the most important of all, I wish Automotive people would tell it all on a correct video it very important on all counts. So thank you for suring and caring your professional instraction information. Peace and take care stay strong as you keep people happy.

Hey man thanks for the video. I feel bad that we gain from your loss but I'm glad I don't have to go through this twice

Yo... I'm a moving up mechanic and haven't go to do timing yet but thank you. little tips like this are great. respect man +1

you my friend have saved people alot of bs. keep up the good work !

Thank you for the trick. About to do this job on a family members Optima. I knew there was a balance shaft. But didn't know there were two. Thanks again.

great video. I am doing one of these right now. had mechanic change belt. did not know the crank sensor was such a pain to get to. so needless to say. about 3,000 miles later the crank sensor went out. I took it apart changed sensor. thought I put it back exactly the same way I took it off. apparently this little shaft moved. put it back together and it vibrated like hell. I work on a tug boat so I am pressed for time. this video is more informative than anything on the web about these balance shafts. all I can say is if you are changing the belt. I highly recommend changing the crankshaft sensor. thanks again.

Thanks, this helped me fix a 1990 Mitsubishi mighty max with a 2.4 sohc. It had been vibrating so badly after a previous timing belt change, it loosened and finally sheared all 4 crank pulley bolts. After using this trick, it's as smooth as can be. Thanks again.

yohoo!!!!! Just finished doing the t-belt for the 2nd time, the balancer was off, also replaced the crank sensor while I was in there, I can tell a MAJOR difference driving it, thanks for posting this video very helpful!!!!

Wish i knew this yesterday , i done the job and now have to redo it. thank you

So I’m going to be doing this job on my Mitsubishi Eclipse next week and you probably just saved me from the same mistake so Thank You very much 😁

OMG>>>>You just saved me a crapload of Heartache! Thank you for your information. I also accidentally damaged the plug wires on removal. After finding the forward shaft out of balance due to my setting it wrong like you explained. Got it all together and still ran like crap....Should have replaced wires and boots on coil overs!!!!!! Runs GREAT! The gravity thing worked perfect! Thanks again!

I've done a few of those timing belts , never had any issues with vibration though . I always removed the block plug and inserted a suitable size screwdriver to keep it "timed " . Also noticed that pulley can move about 30 degrees either way so I did my best to " center " the sprocket in timed position . I hope that helps

you rock!!! thanks, for that info, saved me a lot of head scratch. noticed a vibration in wifes santa fe after paying for belt change 3 years ago after blowing compression for tdc noticed that sprocket timing mark was out of time. (water pump is leaking, and car is within 1K miles of belt change)

Dude , you're the best . I have done this job many times, gladly never had that problem . I've read the service manual, it doesn't say a thing about it . Thanks, I will watch that gravity idea next time.

I just did timing belt, balance belt, water pump all new pulley and tension. Thank you for showing me this trick, I didn't even use the "plug" and was successful. 2000 Mitsubishi Galant 2.4L I4 (4g64)

Thanks a lot sir. It has been of complete helpfulness. As I understand there still are pleople, like you, that have willingness to share key information in your area.

That is very useful since like you said it did not tell you that it has a 3:1 gear reduction which is built into the engine which we don't see. So instead of wasting who knows how long figuring out why it is vibrating so much. So thank you for showing this and I guess we live and learn and gain experience from others.who have the answer because of trail and error so once again thanks man.

This is the best explanation I've ever seen for this.

nice job ...............your attention to detail is great

You are the saver !! My car has the vibration problem and upon checking , the problem was exactly what this video described . Actually can remove the 14mm socket plug just behind the exhaust and use a Borescope to see the Lh balance staff alignment .

I made the same mistake. I could not figure out why it was vibrating so bad since I placed everything on the mark. Very helpful information. Thank you

I'm very pleased I came across your video, like you I was told to align timing marks. Thanks very much for sharing this which I think is important information. Thank you once again 👍👍👍

The ratio on the balance shafts was all I needed, and I thank you! I thought I had to replace the 1:1 books can be confusing sometimes ha-ha I immediately went and checked the 3:1 n its good to go.

Today I was doing a timing belt on a Hyundai trajet 16v DOHC and I remembered this video that I watched a few weeks ago. The engine looked exactly the same, it had a secondary belt for the rear balance shaft and everything. And, remembering this video, before removing the belt I wanted to check if the balance shaft had this 3 to 1 ratio, and I turned the engine 6 times(meeting the marks on the cams 3 times), and the mark on the balance shaft only aligned at one of them. So thanks to this video I was extra careful to not turn the balance shaft when replacing the oil seal

I will be doing one of those this week, glad I found this video. Thanks much !

Thank you! Did the water pump on my daughters Hyundai. Works excellent no vibrating.

You're not the first one to get trapped by Mitsubishi timing belt pitfalls (long story). I love 4g63 engines, but they do have some drawbacks. By the way, if you want to learn more about them, the RU-vid channel "Jafromobile" has some (in my opinion) excellent videos on 4g63 tech. Anyway, glad you got things sorted out.

Dude thanks for taking the time and providing the video you did an awesome job explaining yourself thank you

thanks for this info I'm working on one right know and im at the point of line up the marks .i had to put a new head on and piston because all the valve broke and put holes in the pistons everything is looking good know its time to do the gravity trick thanks once again.

Outstanding video and explanation! This also works on 2001 Kia Optima, I think it's the same engine as the Hyundai. I also learned it the hard way. Thanks.

Great video thankyou. How do you set the tension for the timing belt? I know it has a hydraulic tensioner and you compress it in the vice and put a pin in, then pull the pin to auto set the tension. My question is, where do you set the rotation on the roller before you pull the pin? I assume it just takes out the tension of the belt then the hydro tensioner takes up the rest. Thanks.

definately helpful in 2020. doing some work on a mitsubishi eclipse and this was an accurate video that helped. thanks

Thanks, just had to re-due the Oil Shaft Balance Yesterday, after just lining up the Timing makes as some other posts Said (they never mentioned the Balance check)

Dude awesome work there!! Thanx! Workin on a friends 01 kia optima with the same engine. But I have other probs now!!! On the optimas the plug hole is not accessible w/o removing the exhaust manifold. And not trying to do that if possible! but I need to remove the sprocket to access the oil pump cap plug?? (I believe its called?) The star shaped cap bolt directly behind the sprocket. Any suggestions??? I need to replace the o-ring, the dam thing is leaking and caused a huge mess and destroyed the belts. Its the only thing holding me up!! Got anything?

I have a 2005 Soanata 2.4. Had my timing belt changed two years ago and the vibration has been awful since. Had it to a licensed Hyundai dealership and they said nothing was wrong. I have high mileage so figured it was something I'd have to deal with until trade. Hopefully this will solve my problem! Thanks!

I have a mits 4g69 engine and this video helped me so much...the instruction on the timing kit says to check the balance shaft through that bolt hole...but it dose not show where it is...and the big chilton year book did not show it ether. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for the tip! Gave me a little peace of mind

Yeah man you have made my day, Very interesting and helpful I must say. This problem of vibration exsisted in my Mitsi RVR 4G63 engine and I'm just going to get to it soon as now I know why. Thanks a million, You deserve some cookies and a hot coffee for this.

Just saved me probably weeks of headache. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much bro... this vibration has cracked my intake manifold twice... I bought the car like that and I already changed lot of parts on it including the motor mounts and axles.... but nothing changed at all I'm about to go fix my car now thanks again well splain it..

Thank you for your valuable information. finally a video with the proper information, Glad to know this. My Chilton manual does not tell me this. This manual is also wrong about the cam shaft timing marks. It says to point the marks straight up to align with the marks on the cover. But if you look at the marks on the cover, the exhaust mark is directly 12:00 in comparison to the shaft. On the other hand the intake mark is about 11:00. Not directly over the camshaft. what are your thoughts on this?

Nice inputs from your video, I am working on my sonata. It is very important for me. thanks

Thanks for the reply! I figured as much, but I don';t remeber engine codes well. so many!

Thank you sir. Spent hours trying to figure out what I did wrong. Car runs but as you said it has a small amount of vibration.

It was a 2005 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 16 valve by the way. Timing belt broke and bent all valves. 550.00 later in head work I was happy she is running good. Especially because it's a customer vehicle

Thank you so much. I looked and looked for that stupid hole. I had no idea it was on the driver side of the manifold!

Great trick! Im about to pull apart my kia to try and change the cks. Would the belt have to come off to pull that sensor?

Great advice - thanks so much for saving me hours of work

About to do this myself thanks for the video very clear on what's going on. I read up on it and watched another video but yours is very good. =)

I've been fighting this stupid ass thing for 10 hours!!! this helps immensely!! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

Very informative. I just replaced my sons girlfriends crank sensor and someone had replaced the timing belt but not the small balance shaft belt and when went in there there was no teeth. There is a vibration in the motor it was worse before I put that belt on. Now ill have to go back in and see about this. Hers id s 04 santa fe 2.4l 16 valve.

Thanks for the video. It helped me get my timing marks all lined up and she fired up and ran like a dream first time. The Hanes repair manual I have is very vague and does not explain nor show where the plug is to lock in the balance shaft. Very unclear. Thanks again

Two things. First thank you so much for putting this video together it was exactly the solution to my problem. And number two this engine is also in kia optima 2.4 not sure range of years build with same engine but the one im working on was 2004.

Great video man. Thanks for the info. I was hoping you could help me out please. I'm trying to get a head off a 2006 Mitsubishi 2.4 outlander and have been buying the wrong tools to get the head bolts off. Do you know which socket is the correct one. Thank you.

thank you for your tutorial is clear and helpful. i am about to change the cambelts and i did not know that. i will surely addvertise your site. Martin Brandt

thanks alot this will help if i wanted to change my evo 8 belt but is the left one normaly works however you install it the small belt

Do me a solid if this helped, and follow me on instagram. instagram.com/subtledriver/ @subtledriver

Tengo una Mitsubishi p/up Mighty Max 1994 con motor 4G64, yo la compré en segundas manos y cuando estaba en Baja como a 1000 rpm parecia una maquina de dar terapias musculares, cuando iba en la autopista en quinta a 65 mph no se le podia tocar la palanca de los cambio porque parecia que daba corriente de tanta vibración, todo llegó a su final cuando vi este video.Luego cuando le reemplacé la correa de tiempo, puse en practica los consejos de este video y problema resulto.Ahora cuando está en Baja como a 900 rpm parece que no está encendida. Le agradezco a todos los que suben estos videos instructivos que son de tanta ayuda.

Well I wish I would have watched this before I did the timing belt . When I started it my first thought was balance shaft . What a pita ! Well thanks for the video at least now I know

Great info. Even though I don't have that motor, it's still a great tutorial

Yup I replaced my timing belt on my 03 Eclipse and it’s vibrating has drove me nuts . I did replace a couple of bad mounts witch I know if the engine is dropped some it will shake also . I was getting ready to do a new timing belt due to the miles and have run into lots of videos about the balance shaft. So looks like this time I might actually get it right. Thanks

The positioning port point and gravity observation are very helpful. HELP. In a month and 1/2 the rocker panel has terribly rotted on the driver's side. What guaranteably stops this rust from spreading worse in to the crappy unibody frame?

Thanks man, found that with a '96 Sonata as well, 2 litre I think. Real bad vibes. Glad to get a refresher as I just bought a '01 Santa Fe.

Very Good Tips, will save me some time that's for sure, i assume sohc 4g64 is similar.

It is the oil pump pulley that you are referring to and yes it must be aligned correctly or the result is vibration which eventually causes much more problems. The hole in which you placed the drill bit is used to determine the correct timing for the oil pump. However the methods you used work as well. But normal procedure is to use the correct timing pin and insert it into the whole then line up the timing mark on the oil pump pulley. And you will know it's correct because the pin will stop the rotation once it's lined up correctly if it is 360 degrees off but timing mark is lined up the pin will not stop the rotation and allow another 360 degree rotation to the correct timing. Where you will find you will have more of an issue is the tensioner for the timing belt. The tensioner's hydraulic chamber is easily damaged if compressed unevenly or too quickly and once the tensioner is worn you will have common problems with tooth slippage. Also when installing the tensioner if done incorrect which takes some skill and technique it can be difficult to keep all the timing marks correct while the tensioner pin extends back out. All in all its really not a bad job.. Ford is similar in their use of a timing pin!

4G63 engines were in 90-99 Mitsu Eclipses, Eagle Talons, Plymouth lasers. It was also in some Hyundai's as well. The reason this trick works on Mitsubishi engines, is because that Hyundai engine is actually a Mitsu engine. :D

Yes I found it applies with quite a few engines over the years

Extremely helpful! thanks for the video.

Thanks for the tip, only thought the screwdriver was the way to check the balance shaft alignment.. try lisle 22850 hose pinchers for holding on t belt they work great!

Great info. Does this also apply to a 2005 Hyundai Tuscon 2.7 V6, I'm about to change timing belt etc and would like to know? thanks

You are spot on with the info.

Thanks for the info really nice job explaining. I will be working on one later again thanks

Thanks for the video. I'm about to have my timing belt changed, (110K miles, Mitsu. Outlander LS, 3.0L V6). Does this apply to my engine? How do I ensure that the mechanic has done this? Thanks again for the information.

thank you! I was up the creek with my mechanic because if his ignorance with this technical information.