04 Died On The Run, Sparks But Won't Even Try To Start

[driz]

There's more to it than just removing the timing cover. In order to check that all 3 of the timing marks line up, you will also need to remove the harmonic balancer in order to be able to see the crank mark. Not what you wanted to hear, I'm sure.

Oh I don't mind a bit (not my car). I guess that's good for something. Sure looks to be one of those things that you wouldn't do without changing everything out 'just because" anyways. Thinking about it I have to do the one in my 95 Civic . Fortunately that's just plane simple by comparison. I always hated those water pump tensioner cars. That came from my 72 Vega GT. That was where i learned about aluminum engines and their weak casting flanges. I always handle aluminum be it on a car or a plane with "my best limp wristed style".
I don't like those overhead double cam engines one bit. Those timing belts are so long there is a lot more room for slop . I was looking around the net about this subject and came onto some guy who said he ruined 3 engines in his life by just shutting them off. A Vega, Lada, and Dodge 2.2 . Just shut em off and never started again all with bent valves. At least the 03 Cavalier has an overly long timing chain but it's a chain. They make racket when you start them if worn out so you have a warning. Her boyfriend has a Toyota Tundra 06 IRRC. He has one of those $1000 nightmares I wouldn't touch with a gun to my head. He managed to schedule his to get into BOCES and have it done next week. Paying for parts only, can't beat that.
As for the Aveo in question I am really wondering what it did when it died, if the old fuel pump crapped and possibly made it hiccup enough to jump time by that far. When I get back I think the first and possibly only thing I am gonna do is put the compression gauge on that pup and make sure the valves aren't bent. That's a quick easy way to see if it's worth digging into further. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back in Feb.

[avguy]

... Thinking about it I have to do the one in my 95 Civic . Fortunately that's just plane simple by comparison. I always hated those water pump tensioner cars. ....

Interesting to read your take on that. I changed the timing belt components on my daughter's '03 1.7 Civic, and frankly think the Aveo is the faster job, all things considered. On that Honda, in order to get at the timing belt, you need to remove a motor mount, alternator, and P/S pump. I spent lots of time swappng out sockets, and also figuring out what extensions would be needed to get at a number of bolts tucked away in places where the Sun don't shine. But maybe your '95 has less PITA stuff to remove than the '03 does. And like with all of these jobs, things go a lot faster after you've done them a couple of times. I don't consider the water pump-driven tensioning that big a deal on the Aveo, although I will say that the auto tensioner (actually the whole timing belt design) on the Honda is far superior, and was a very happy piece of work

[driz]

Don't tell me that, I don't want the surprise to interfere with the fantasy. Mine is a 1600 and there is the usual amount of crap to pull out . I see by where you are you are no stranger to rusty nuts / bolts. Fun Fun Fun. That's ok the operative difference is it's MY CAR sitting at my place . All the difference in the world. The running back and forth to where this Aveo is just a pain and you just never have evrything you need. Also I am a lot more willing to wail away into uncharted territory on my stuff than somebody else's stuff. Another thing, I have plenty of cars too, 3 of em 4 with the truck and being retired I don't really give 2 chitz whether I go anywhere or not.

When I do decide to do mine I will be starting 2 weeks early. Penetrating oil every day every ugly place. Lately I have come to love my own mix rather than the usual PB Blaster. 50/50 acetone and ATF. I swear the stuff is great and so cheap you don't mind using plenty. The regular spray bottle helps lots too.
Well, now you burst my bubble, worst disappointment since I found out Santa Clause was dead I will just have to sit down and pretend to look forward to that Honda as much as the Aveo.