04 Engine surging and rough idle

[aveostein]

Closure!

Valves were damaged in one of the cylinders and the second shop was able to repair the problem. The original mechanic that caused all these problems actually did the right thing and paid for the entire repair. There was no denying that the valve damage was from the timing issues caused by the bolt he dropped that destroyed the sprocket and belt.

I was out of a vehicle for 1 solid month and I'm out some towing fees but I'm just glad this is all over.

[AndrewButler05]

I am SO happy that mess is resolved. I'm glad the original mechanic manned up and did the right thing. Maybe he will think long and hard before doing another major repair or service like that. We honestly don't know how many other timing belts he has replaced, this could've been an honest mistake...


Happy driving!

[tringoldsby]

There is a plastic idler wheel in the timing belt loop - the wheel recently shattered on our 2004 Aveo causing the timing belt to lose tension and crashing every valve! I would have the mechanic replace every pulley, tensioner and wheel in timing loop!

[aveostein]

There is a plastic idler wheel in the timing belt loop - the wheel recently shattered on our 2004 Aveo causing the timing belt to lose tension and crashing every valve! I would have the mechanic replace every pulley, tensioner and wheel in timing loop!

When you replace the belt, you replace everything. The idler, belt, and water pump.

[tringoldsby]

When you replace the belt, you replace everything. The idler, belt, and water pump.

Yes - definitely replace *everything*. In the case of our idler, the bearing was perfect (even after it shattered) so it hadn't given any concern during the previous timing belt change (40,000 KM = 25,000 miles before). I had never anticipated the actual plastic wheel would disintegrate!

If there is a weak point to the early Aveos, it is the timing assembly. The Aveo has the shortest timing belt change interval of any car I've ever seen and they aren't kidding!

So, change anything and everything in the vicinity of the belt that could possibly cause a belt failure. I really question the engineer's decision to make it an interference engine. Sure, you get a couple of extra HP and perhaps a trifle better fuel economy - but the cost of a broken belt outweighs any possible gains.

[tringoldsby]

I should mention, there is a tensioner and an idler, IIRC.

[ronxae]

This is info about rough idle and surging-bought my 2004 Aveo sedan last year. Had timing belt changed at dealer who took a week because they had to wait for a water pump gasket. Car was idling rough and surging after repair. Found 2 spark plug leads switched. Fixed that. Still rough idle, low power. Finally replaced spark plug leads with new ones. Car ran like it was new after that.