When to replace Timing Belt

First of all this is my first time here at the Chevy Aveo forum. I purchased my Chevy Aveo LT in 2010 and I like the great gas mileage!

I got a maintenance related question related to when you are supposed to replace the timing belt. My dealer says that it needs to be replaced at 60,000 miles; however, when I read my Aveo owner's manual on Page 7-7 (maintenance section) under the heading "First Oil Change After Every 100,000 Miles", it mentions a timing belt replacement.

So, my question is this: Change the timing belt at 60,000 miles or 100,000 miles? I understand that the timing belt is a critical component of the Aveo in that if it broke while I am on the road, severe engine damage would result.

60K at the most!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the tip! I was confused between the dealer recommendation and what was said in the owner's manual. Perhaps Chevrolet could make the maintenance schedule easier to interpret as to when required services must be performed.

I've read that earlier models, 2004-2008 or so, its 60K (some here recommend 50K), 100K for newer models. Early models are prone to rare belt breakage after 50K miles or so, later models not.

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Originally Posted by ColdCase

I've read that earlier models, 2004-2008 or so, its 60K (some here recommend 50K), 100K for newer models. Early models are prone to rare belt breakage after 50K miles or so, later models not.

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After checking 2008 Owner's Manual it suggests 60K miles changing the Timing Belt; and 2011 Aveo Owner's Manual suggests 100K miles changing the Timing Belt. I will pass along your feedback regarding making the maintenance schedule easier to interpret. Thank you for being a Chevy customer.

Vanessa,
GM Customer Service

Cold case has it right.

04-08 Change belt by 60,000 miles...unless inspection indicates an earlier change is needed.
09-11 Change belt by 100,000 miles...unless inspection indicates an earlier change is needed.

You didn't say what year you car is but I assume if your manual says 100k, you've got an 09 or newer.

First of all this is my first time here at the Chevy Aveo forum. I purchased my Chevy Aveo LT in 2010 and I like the great gas mileage!

o.p first line says he owns a 2010. so as everybody stated gm suggests 100k miles

The Owner's Manual is your best "guide" for scheduled maintenance but if the dealer suggests that it be fixed, and you're uncomfortable with the dealer's suggestion, I would recommend you seek a second opinion from another GM dealership. There maybe a reason the dealer was sugggesting that you have the timing belt done; however, only the dealer knows because they've inspected the vehicle.

Vanessa,
GM Customer Service

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Originally Posted by charlieb

o.p first line says he owns a 2010. so as everybody stated gm suggests 100k miles

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He stated he bought it in 2010; the model year wasn't mentioned. He probably bought it new as a current year (not a leftover) but I wasn't going to assume that.

...and to add

If you've got an 09 or newer and the dealer says if needs to be replaced at 60k, it is a warranty repair. The timing belt is covered under the powertrain warranty up to it's first scheduled replacement.

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Originally Posted by Chevy Customer Svc

After checking 2008 Owner's Manual it suggests 60K miles changing the Timing Belt; and 2011 Aveo Owner's Manual suggests 100K miles changing the Timing Belt. I will pass along your feedback regarding making the maintenance schedule easier to interpret. Thank you for being a Chevy customer.

Vanessa,
GM Customer Service

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I have a serious question. Honestly. Since it seems you work for Chevy, and answer questions here, I can ask you this, maybe I will find out my answer finally! WHY do all we 'early owners, 2006 or earlier, have to replace the timing belt and water pump and all the other parts along with it, at 60K miles. YET 1 model year later, you manage to get it up to 100K miles? WHY/HOW??? So we get screwed much earlier than everyone that bought there car 1 model year later. It's the same engine, so whats the difference in the belt/water pump etc...that my 2006 HAS to be replaced, at MY expense, no help from Chevy at all, is there is some 'poor engine construction problem', well of course there is,...but what is it and why doesnt Chevy pay for the replacement or at least help pay for it???? They obviously know something is built wrong in these engines. So what is it ???
Why must it be replaced 40K miles sooner than 1 model year later??

Does Chevy have a TSB out someplace, saying they will pay for it, or help to pay for it to be replaced at least one time? It is a HUGE cost for a cheap car! In my entire life of owning 25+ cars/trucks, I have NEVER heard of EVER having to even replace the timing belt. But then it is usually a CHAIN, not a rubber belt. But we all have to replace it in this tiny little engine, I know it is planned obsolescence, but what is the difference between my 2006 engine and a 2007 engine, that makes it break at 60K miles, instead of 100K miles? I honestly want to know.

And I only have 35K miles on my 2006 Aveo HB.. Do I have to replace it NOW or not? No one knows the answer! Not my dealer, not customer service, no one. So at 9.5 years does my 2006 with only 35K miles on it. Do I HAVE to replace it now....for TIME,not miles...or not? I am worried to the point I drive it even less, for fear the belt will snap and my engine is damaged/dead!

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Originally Posted by FlaAveo5

I have a serious question. Honestly. Since it seems you work for Chevy, and answer questions here, I can ask you this, maybe I will find out my answer finally! WHY do all we 'early owners, 2006 or earlier, have to replace the timing belt and water pump and all the other parts along with it, at 60K miles. YET 1 model year later, you manage to get it up to 100K miles? WHY/HOW??? So we get screwed much earlier than everyone that bought there car 1 model year later. It's the same engine, so whats the difference in the belt/water pump etc...that my 2006 HAS to be replaced, at MY expense, no help from Chevy at all, is there is some 'poor engine construction problem', well of course there is,...but what is it and why doesnt Chevy pay for the replacement or at least help pay for it???? They obviously know something is built wrong in these engines. So what is it ???
Why must it be replaced 40K miles sooner than 1 model year later??

Does Chevy have a TSB out someplace, saying they will pay for it, or help to pay for it to be replaced at least one time? It is a HUGE cost for a cheap car! In my entire life of owning 25+ cars/trucks, I have NEVER heard of EVER having to even replace the timing belt. But then it is usually a CHAIN, not a rubber belt. But we all have to replace it in this tiny little engine, I know it is planned obsolescence, but what is the difference between my 2006 engine and a 2007 engine, that makes it break at 60K miles, instead of 100K miles? I honestly want to know.

And I only have 35K miles on my 2006 Aveo HB.. Do I have to replace it NOW or not? No one knows the answer! Not my dealer, not customer service, no one. So at 9.5 years does my 2006 with only 35K miles on it. Do I HAVE to replace it now....for TIME,not miles...or not? I am worried to the point I drive it even less, for fear the belt will snap and my engine is damaged/dead!

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The service interval changed in the 09+ model year (2nd gen) to 100k. 08 and earlier are still 50k-60k.

And the US engine DID change in 09 to the Ecotec whereas the 08 and prior used the E-tec 2. The most noticeable change, that might partially explain the interval change, was that the water pump was removed from the timing belt loop and placed on the serpentine/accessory belt.

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Originally Posted by EAD15

The service interval changed in the 09+ model year (2nd gen) to 100k. 08 and earlier are still 50k-60k.

And the US engine DID change in 09 to the Ecotec whereas the 08 and prior used the E-tec 2. The most noticeable change, that might partially explain the interval change, was that the water pump was removed from the timing belt loop and placed on the serpentine/accessory belt.

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The plastic cover that is covering me engine says on it ' E-TEC II 16V', Not 'EcoTec' so that means it is the 60K mile engine? I ALWAYS thought it was called an 'Ecotec 16V' engine. So I have the crappy one...right?

BTW, i might as well ask you and anyone that sees his post/replies,....with only 33K miles on my engine, thought I was at 35K....is it TIME or MILEAGE that determines the replacement?? Do you or anyone know??. I posted a LONG reply/question to the Chevy lady that is in here...Victoria? And flat out asked why 'we' owners of the same engine on earlier models, get screwed out of that 100K mile replacement ,why doesnt Chevy give us a 1 time replacement of the belt and pump,etc...with maybe upgraded parts, or even the same poor designed parts, or extend the warranty on the belt/water pump till 100K .Waiting to hear if she will EVER reply. I know it will be "NO you get screwed haha!"
But i asked. So...do you or anyone know about the TIME VS. MILEAGE replacement issue that is on my mind all the time?

Best all ways be to change a Cam belt 10.00km before the manual of 60.000km and replace crank cambelt sprocket as well it wheres out and can let the cambelt jump teeth beding valves

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Originally Posted by Phillippus

Best all ways be to change a Cam belt 10.00km before the manual of 60.000km and replace crank cambelt sprocket as well it wheres out and can let the cambelt jump teeth beding valves

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I don't agree with what you wrote there, but as with all forums everyone is entitled to express their opinion.

Sorry for typo its 10.000km before 60.000km reason motor company does not build motor to last for ever. Ihave change mine and now 430.000km on the clock

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Originally Posted by FlaAveo5

I have a serious question. Honestly. Since it seems you work for Chevy, and answer questions here, I can ask you this, maybe I will find out my answer finally! WHY do all we 'early owners, 2006 or earlier, have to replace the timing belt and water pump and all the other parts along with it, at 60K miles. YET 1 model year later, you manage to get it up to 100K miles? WHY/HOW??? So we get screwed much earlier than everyone that bought there car 1 model year later. It's the same engine, so whats the difference in the belt/water pump etc...that my 2006 HAS to be replaced, at MY expense, no help from Chevy at all, is there is some 'poor engine construction problem', well of course there is,...but what is it and why doesnt Chevy pay for the replacement or at least help pay for it???? They obviously know something is built wrong in these engines. So what is it ???
Why must it be replaced 40K miles sooner than 1 model year later??

Does Chevy have a TSB out someplace, saying they will pay for it, or help to pay for it to be replaced at least one time? It is a HUGE cost for a cheap car! In my entire life of owning 25+ cars/trucks, I have NEVER heard of EVER having to even replace the timing belt. But then it is usually a CHAIN, not a rubber belt. But we all have to replace it in this tiny little engine, I know it is planned obsolescence, but what is the difference between my 2006 engine and a 2007 engine, that makes it break at 60K miles, instead of 100K miles? I honestly want to know.

And I only have 35K miles on my 2006 Aveo HB.. Do I have to replace it NOW or not? No one knows the answer! Not my dealer, not customer service, no one. So at 9.5 years does my 2006 with only 35K miles on it. Do I HAVE to replace it now....for TIME,not miles...or not? I am worried to the point I drive it even less, for fear the belt will snap and my engine is damaged/dead!

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A TSB for what? Its states in the owner's manual it should be replaced at 60k miles. If the owners manual stated 100k and a high percentage of timing belts snapped at 60k, I can see your argument. But you are arguing non-sense.

And yes, I much rather have a timing chain that I've had on every other vehicle I owned, but timing BELTS are not something new either.

You have to do the research before you buy a car.

I dont work for chev I got all my vechile traing from my brother got his own garge when I was still in school and millitary training.
I agree with you unfortuned nobody give a warrenty / garantee on how long their belt can last. My second belt broke after 3000km lucky for me when it idle.So if there is a manufaturer to give the garantee for 100.000 I will buy that belt and pay little more. When opening the the top cover of the belt you can check how much the belt work if you look the outside will be shiny showing where the teeth are and on the inside tooth busy to pull apart. With my car I did find the cam belt sprocket on the grankshaft has worn aswell on the teeth and the keyway worn meaning your timing marks move.
When my car was still under warranty before every service I mark all components thats needed to be replace reason they check and adjust spark plugs, I put on a fight to get my spares replaced.
If they did design the motor with a timming chain that would have been excellent.
But help me if I am wrong Chev bougth out DAYWOO thats where the AVEO came from Chielo

This belt life change is not specific to the Aveos, I just did a belt on a Subaru EJ22 setup, and same thing 60K miles for early models, and 90K for later models. I know Suzuki's were around the same. Honda's are 7 years or 90K, some push them past 100K. Oh and yes they do break! Nothing like blowing 5K on a rig worth $2500 for a timing belt? Nothing new. Would be nice if they engineered a timing set that could go 100K though, even if it cost a bit more. I guess the heat from the water pump is not the best for rubber life.

I agree maybe some keflar in cambelts can prolong life

Yes, I read the same thing in my owners manual.

So , after reading the above threads and more elsewhere , I am still confused .

I do not have access to the car or the manual at the moment .nor can I find any details on the Chevrolet website.

1.Does the 2011, 1.6 L Aveo hatchback with manual transmission have a timing belt or a chain ?
2.Is it an interference or Non-interference engine .
3.What is the OEM replacement recommendation for the belt ( or chain)?
4.Has anyone experienced premature failure of the belt /chain and at what kms?
5.How easy is it to do it yourself , if you have never done one before , and are not a mechanic?

Any Help will be much appreciated.

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Originally Posted by sridge

So , after reading the above threads and more elsewhere , I am still confused .

I do not have access to the car or the manual at the moment .nor can I find any details on the Chevrolet website.

1.Does the 2011, 1.6 L Aveo hatchback with manual transmission have a timing belt or a chain ?
2.Is it an interference or Non-interference engine .
3.What is the OEM replacement recommendation for the belt ( or chain)?
4.Has anyone experienced premature failure of the belt /chain and at what kms?
5.How easy is it to do it yourself , if you have never done one before , and are not a mechanic?

Any Help will be much appreciated.

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1. timing belt
2. Interference engine
3. AC Delco is OEM. Gates and Dayco are also good aftermarket alternatives.
4. I never had a belt snapped on me. Premature wear can occur for many reasons though.
5. Ive "replaced" a timing belt as part of replacing a head cylinder gasket. By itself, you have to have a bit of experience and knowledge working around cars. I am not a mechanic myself, but I've been doing almost all basic maintenance service on my cars for the past 10 years. My brother is a mechanic though, and If i need a special tool I dont have or dont want to buy myself, I have him bring it home on a weekend so I can use it.

At a minimum, you will need to jack the car up and place on jack-stands, have to jack up the engine and support it because youll have to temporarily remove the engine mount. Youll also need a basic socket set, an allen head socket set, a water pump socket tool, cam-lock tool, torque wrench, and probably a few other things im missing.

If your doubting yourself, just bring it to a shop. Especially on a job as crucial as a timing belt. If you mess it up completely, you destroyed your valves at a minimum, and break a piston and trash the whole engine at worst. If realize half-way though that you cant do it yourself, you're paying to tow it to a shop so that they can fix it.

Alldata shows replacing the timing belt as a 1.6 hour job on my 2004 Aveo. You can get a timing belt kit for around $120. Around me, the going labor rate at a shop is about $120/hr. Total price should be around $300-350 if you were to take it to a shop.

My timing belt/water pump kit replacement, and the work to replace it all was $771 here in Ft.laud. It is a VERY expensive repair here for some reason. Mechs. get paid more I think. The dealer wants $1,350!!

what I paid was the lowest price I could find in 5 YEARS of looking! My OEM belt and pump etc..all lasted 11yrs. But I was 'afraid' of it snapping at any moment for nearly 5 years. My 'Continental kit' was the most expensive kit I could have put in. But it has the most parts. All the seals, tensioners, water pump, some small tube of grease for the seals, and I have heard it has a thicker well made timing belt.
Even the owner of the garage that did the work, said that most people go for the 'cheap kits', with the fewest parts and shortest warranties. Just a timing belt, maybe the water pump,....thats it. Then in 6 months , they have to open the engine again to put in the 3 seals at $1-2 each, and the tensioners. Not exactly saving a lot of money by not putting them in. Like the saying goes...'penny wise, pound foolish'.

IF I had the tools and the nerve, I have been told I could do it myself. That most people do it themselves. BUT no warranty on the work, and frankly, i dont have the tools or the nerve/knowledge, to open up my engine and try to get a timing belt aligned perfectly. Off by 1 tooth, the engine blows up or gets screwed up...so...its done, and wont have to do it again, in my lifetime.

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Originally Posted by FlaAveo5

My timing belt/water pump kit replacement, and the work to replace it all was $771 here in Ft.laud. It is a VERY expensive repair here for some reason. Mechs. get paid more I think. The dealer wants $1,350!!

what I paid was the lowest price I could find in 5 YEARS of looking! My OEM belt and pump etc..all lasted 11yrs. But I was 'afraid' of it snapping at any moment for nearly 5 years. My 'Continental kit' was the most expensive kit I could have put in. But it has the most parts. All the seals, tensioners, water pump, some small tube of grease for the seals, and I have heard it has a thicker well made timing belt.
Even the owner of the garage that did the work, said that most people go for the 'cheap kits', with the fewest parts and shortest warranties. Just a timing belt, maybe the water pump,....thats it. Then in 6 months , they have to open the engine again to put in the 3 seals at $1-2 each, and the tensioners. Not exactly saving a lot of money by not putting them in. Like the saying goes...'penny wise, pound foolish'.

IF I had the tools and the nerve, I have been told I could do it myself. That most people do it themselves. BUT no warranty on the work, and frankly, i dont have the tools or the nerve/knowledge, to open up my engine and try to get a timing belt aligned perfectly. Off by 1 tooth, the engine blows up or gets screwed up...so...its done, and wont have to do it again, in my lifetime.

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You got ripped off at close to $800. And did that include the parts kit or did you buy that on your own? A Continental Timing Belt kit is $86 on RockAuto. Even if that was upmarked to $200, you still got ripped off.

I would always ask a shop to break down the price between parts and labor when making an appointment. By the book, a timing belt on a 2004 Aveo is 1.6 hours.

They bought the parts, I insisted on Continental, it says $223 for the kit. I saw it has the most parts on Rock Auto. RockAuto costs $131.70,....and they still had to get the seals, $3 more.....big deal, but they didnt come in that kit. Says so online, take a look.
You must be looking at a kit with nothing in it but a belt and a pump. The rest is labor. As i said, in Ft.laud it is VERY expensive to have a pro. fix THIS timing belt thing. I begged people on here, that live here, to fix it for me, and I'd pay them a fair price for the work,....no one offered to help. EXCEPT 'Petrified rabbit'! Didnt see YOU offering to help out.

And he doesn't live down here anymore, so he couldn't help, but he tried to find friends that he has here to help out...no one would do it. THATS the help I get...from anyone...even paying them! At least he offered. So...I HAD to get it done. I looked for 5 years for someone to do it, and no luck at all.

All the garages wanted over $900, and a 1 year warranty. Craigslist 'mechs'. wanted $500+..., with no warranty, and they were not ASE certified. So they could screw it up as bad as I could! IF I even tried to do it myself I would **** it up, and have a dead car, IF I could psychically do it, I would have. But I would probably have screwed it up.

Besides I dont have the tools to even attempt to do it. So i have to pay to have it done. Hey, I got 11 years from the OEM belt/pump, so this is the first, and last, replacement of this belt and parts. So I didnt replace it at the 5 year mark. So you could divide the price in half. I should have done it at the 5 year mark, 'technically'. But I had maybe 15K miles on it!

If not for my fear of the belt just snapping at any moment,...after 11 years of the HOT Fla heat, and plain AGE of the rubber, I would still be using the OEM stuff. But as EVERYONE says, the belt can snap in an instant, it looks new to me, but that means nothing.
I cant buy a new car, or buy an 'old used car' with what...200K miles on it? Rusty and smelling of cigs.? There are FEW Toyotas with 50K miles and no rust and pristine paint for $1K dollars. I have a car that looks new, drives new, smells new, with 39K miles on it, no dents, no damage, no rust. Cant buy a car like this. So $771 is a DEAL. I asked for help on here for 5 years...no luck. It WAS $675 last year, but mechs. got a raise, I didnt, but they did. And Fla. is expensive to do this job. Everyone around the ENTIRE country tells me it costs $2-300 to do,...well not in south Fla. You have 2 'beaters'....I have 1 'pristine'. That makes a difference.

The dealer, Lou Bachrodt Chevy in Pompano Beach, call them and ask them their price...it is $1,300! And when I asked then to 'break it down' for me, I got ...'next in line....' they wouldn't/couldn't explain THAT price to me. I laughed at the guy and left in a BIG huff!! THAT price pissed me off. But that's the dealer. And THEY wouldn't 'break it down'. A repair that books at 1.6-2 Hrs in Chevys own books, even at dealer mech. rates, that's ridiculous. And the parts are, well, $86 according to you, so that comes to $1,300? I'm happy with what I got, and the LONG warranty, and knowing I can now drive it, less like a 'little old lady'....before I AM one:)

My 2007 has 140k and unless the previous owners changed it its still going strong. We bought it with 65k so it may have been changed.

Your 2007 has a the 5 yr/100K mile warranty on its belt, Thats the year they put in a better belt, or did some redesigning to the engine. Mine 'lasted for 11 years. But only 39K miles. it still might be running fine, but I finally have some peace of mind as I drive...the little that I do drive.
I replaced it all because of the age of the belt. OLD rubber will snap sooner or later. I was running on pure luck. I have lived in total fear, for over 5 years, that it could snap at any second, because of the AGE of the rubber, not the miles.

My parents had a 1998 Ford Escort sedan, and their timing belt snapped while DRIVING on I-95, it just snapped out of the blue, at like 110K miles. BUT believe it or not, it had a NON interference engine, so no damage to the engine, or they stopped so fast, no engine damage, I forget. BUT even WAY back then, it was an $1,100 job to fix. It was towed to a Ford dealership, and took 2 days to get it back.
BUT I made them buy a full coverage extended warranty, online, dropped the one bought from Ford, that cost 3 times as much, over $3K, the one I found them, way back in those days, was like $1,200, they are STILL that price now for a warranty, on the Aveo. So i cant afford one, AND I would have had to wait till it snapped and caused damage to the engine,..to be a 'repair', not 'maintenance'. Well they only paid the $50 deductible and got it all repaired. So the warranty paid for itself. It never broke again, nothing big like that. They kept it till they got some Buick sedan. So you have the model year GM did the redesign and the warranty is much longer....lucky guy!

Err on the side of caution (and possible severe engine damage) go with the lower mileage #. Many of us have experienced a snapped timing belt. Better safe than sorry.