Just got my first evo and took it to get the timing belt done. Told me they recommended the belt but not the water pump. Ok fine. Half hour later they come back and tell me the balance shaft is seized and now I need a bearing balancer oil pump and shaft. Can't do anything until Wednesday. Is this a common problem or did they **** up somehow? It was driving great before I took it in. no vibrations of any kind. When talking with them I get the feeling there is something they are not telling me. Any help is appreciated

 

Was the car running OK prior?

Its likely not something they did. But its also something that would have made the car not run. A seized balance shaft would thrown the belt off and the car wouldn't run..

 

yes it was running well until they took it back. it started seizing when they had the car on the lift. the belt was in pretty bad shape.

 

That doesn't make sense unless they ran the car without oil..

 

Something doesn't add up. Worst case your would need a new timing belt, timing belt tensioner and balance shaft belt.

 

thats what confuses me and makes me wonder if they aren't telling me something. i do need to change my oil but i told them specifically not to touch it. what typically causes this problem other than that?

 

That's the problem right there
There isn't much of anything that would seize the balance shaft

Best bet pull out now and find another mechanic

If they determined the same thing

1.) If everything you stated is true
Go after th last shop woth some reasonable proof

2.) If. Not you bought yourself an expensive lesson

 

If the car was running fine when you brought it to them there is no way it was seized when you brought it to them. If it actually is seized it was something they did and you should tell them exactly that. But I'm not even sure what they could have done. Maybe something to do with getting the balance shaft in phase? Very odd.

 

The front balance shaft runs off the timing belt so that one might not be seized. Rear runs off a separate belt so that one might be seized but who knows. They might be trying to pull a fast one on you. If anything, you can check it yourself. See if you even have that balance shaft belt or if the previous belt was shreaded up.

 

Like mentioned above, if the car ran fine when you brought it in and is now having these issues... It's time to find a different mechanic. I almost hate to ask, but where is the car at currently?