A three-piece molded plastic cover, with inspection plate, completely encloses the belt to prevent damage from foreign matter. Piston pins are held in place by press fit to the connecting rods, which differ from those in the 2.0 liter engine only in length. Crankshaft Cast of nodular iron, the lightweight crankshaft has eight counterweights and a 75 percent balance ratio. Counterweights straddle each crank pin to balance the bearing loads for smooth, quiet operation. Counterweights straddling each crank pin also allow smaller, narrower bearings.
Smaller diameters reduce friction and, therefore, increase fuel economy and power.
A torsional vibration damper is used. The damper has two poly-V pulleys that drive accessories. The two counter-rotating, eccentric balance shafts, interconnected by gears, are driven by a short chain from the crankshaft. They turn at two times engine speed to offset the reciprocating mass of the pistons and connecting rods and to achieve the desired balancing effect. The balance shafts are enclosed in an aluminum housing mounted beneath the crankshaft in the oil pan.