Working on a 94 Accord (non VTEC). changing timing belt and water pump. When I slip a screwdriver in the maintenance slot, the marks on the gear for the rear balance shaft are not at 12 and 4; they're more like 10 and 2 (I'll check that positioning when I get back to the car, but whatever it actually is, it's nowhere near where it should be.

Any thoughts you might have are better than the WTF??? that I have.

Thanx.

 

Simple answer: Go by the pin/screwdriver in the maintenance slot. Ignore the marks on the sprocket.

Complicated answer:
There's a gearset between the sprocket and the actual rear balance shaft. Not sure why they even bothered to put timing marks on the sprocket.

If you want, you can spin the shaft one turn at a time. Each time you spin it, the sprocket marks will be in a different position. Then you can be happy that the marks on the sprocket line up. But as soon as the engine spins, the marks will be different.

If you want to do an academic exercise, the sprocket-ratio (number of teeth on the sprocket) should correspond with the reciprocal of the gearset ratio. So combine the sprocket-teeth ratio with the gear ratio, and the rear balance shaft (not the sprocket) will spin at 2x the crankshaft speed.

 

Me, mark the belts from the tooth to the gear(s). Remove the old belt, transfer the marks from the old belt to the new one(s)....count the number of teeth.

Install the new belt(s) with the marks on the new belt(s) mating to the marks on the pulley/gear marks.

Done.....yes using this method I've changed the last few timing belts on mine without even setting the engine to TDC....but that is me.

 

The pin method works just fine. I've used it on both an F22 and F23 engines.
As for the mark on the gear, I think it's more of a reference mark, to help you know that you forgot to pull the pin. But it also allows you to see that it does indeed turn.

Just a heads up, While you're in there doing timing belts, get the balance shaft seal retainer clip (made by Dorman), as I had a balance shaft seal walk out, and dump 2 quarts of oil in 30 feet (car was idling). I do that now on any Honda with a balance shaft that doesn't already have one (it's cheap insurance). Rock Auto offers it for 4.95, while my local Carquest can have it next day for 11 bucks. If you don't use the new seal (included in the kit), it can be installed with the balance shaft belt on. Unfortunately, you have to pull the lower timing cover to install it (which is why I do it when installing the timing belts).
I hope this helps.