2005 Aveo 1.6L "Timing Belt?"

[maxpower10]

I was driving along a couple days ago around 70mph. All of the sudden the engine just let loose. Almost as if the engine lost connection with the transmission. I "think" I was able to rev the engine up after that happened, I was busy trying to get safely to the side of the road. In any case, when I pulled over I attempted to start it several times. The starter sounded odd, not grinding or anything, but it was just cranking and cranking. I towed it home and pulled the oil filler cover off and had the engine cranked over and saw nothing moving in the top half of the engine. I'm concerned this was a timing belt issue. It's got around 165,000 miles on it. Any suggestions as to where to start? And what, exactly, am I in for if this is a timing belt issue. Thank You!

[camopaint0707]

Well hopefully nothing collided internally if the belt snapped.

[Daox]

Pull the timing belt cover off and inspect the belt.

[RicochetRandy]

Sounds like you definitely snapped the belt, and you definitely had pistons collide with valves. Your options are to repair the top end of the engine, or get another car.

This isn't an issue so much as you neglected to perform those maintenance on it. I can't drive the point home hard enough; the manual says those belts need changed at 60,000.

In any case it's up to you now what to do. I'd imagine if the belt/assembly wasnt done, then there's a lot of other preventative maintenance not done either, so even if you did fix the top end you'd still have to fix all the other issues.

[maxpower10]

The belt was fine. A plastic pulley on the right side of the engine shattered. Most likely had the same effect though. My local mechanic looked this up and told me that the 2005 1.6l engines were free wheeling engines. Everything I've found says it's an interference engine. Is there a possibility this is a NON interference engine?

[thankful_ragamuffin]

If you look at the pictures on the reply from Daox, you will have your answer. Definitely an interference engine.

[maxpower10]

In looking for used engine parts, what years can I consider compatible with the 2005 ETech II motor?

[maxpower10]

So would the next step here be to pull the head off and access the damage? I've got the front of the engine and timing belt dissembled and removed now. Just looking for the next step.

[RicochetRandy]

Typically speaking, you have 2004-2005 to pick from, as 2006+ uses a different method for the throttle; though you should be able to find some parts that fit, I'd stay within 04-05 to be safe.

Matching up the parts numbers that gm assigns to every part is the most precise way of making sure things will be copasetic.

You need to take your valve cover off, and from there remove the head. It may be easy, or it may be very difficult. I'm guessing difficult to physically get it off, given that the valves are probably bent to shhhh. Might even have the edges of a couple jammed into a piston.

[Daox]

I used an 07 engine to replace my 05's. There are minor differences, but its easy enough to get it to work.