Timing belt change on 2006 Aveo LS: My new detailed write-up

[zchandran]

Hi everyone,

I took some pictures and did the write-up while changing my timing belt and water pump a few weeks ago. I have about 1,000 miles since and everything's running fine, so here it is:

http://www.zubinchandran.com/timing_belt_change.html

It's way too big to post here, so please download it or rehost or print or something. There's some stuff in there that wasn't in other write-ups I looked at, such as setting the belt tension correctly.

Let me know if you can think of other stuff to add in, hopefully it will help those who've never done a timing belt change before,

ZC

[speedracer]

Thanks for the write up ,changed my belt 10 days ago.

[AveoSS]

Thanks so much for the instruction, great job! I was a little intimidate but with the instructions it was a breeze to do, much easier than I expected. I used a strap oil filter wrench to hold the cranckshaft pulley while using the breaker bar to lose the nut, Napa has the DOHC timing gear lock tool for $39, and I used a large whench to move the water pump, it took 8 hours total time. I got the belt changed on my ride at 60k, it looked good still but its one those things u don't want to risk a fail. Anyways, thanks again.

[DailyDriverMark]

Nice Job. I used a pair of regular vice grips on my WP and they fit and worked just fine. Your car is the same year and color as mine. My write up is very similar, I like your belt tensioning instructions. much better information I than on my write-up (see my sig. below) Using a ton of tie-wraps is a great way to keep cam pulleys from drifting.

[AveoSS]

Another thing to remenber, once u put the new belt in and release the timming gears the marks may not align, why? because the tension on the belt has not been adjusted yet, once u adjust the tension and do the 2 complete revolutions on the crank it will align perfectly.

[serialize]

Thanks for this fantastic write-up, as well as all the additional replies and input.
I just did the job this past weekend. It took me the whole weekend (about 5 hours Sat afternoon and another 7 hours Sun) but i don't consider myself "fast" at this kind of stuff but I try and be thourough anyway.
Both the serpentine belt tensioner and the timing tensioner where cracked rights through and ready to snap (which likely would have taken out the timing belt). I replaced them with Continental made in Germany timing belt, pulleys and tensioners and OEM serpentine belt. While I had the coolant out i also did the thermostat.
Didn't end up using any special tools. To remove/install the waterpump just used chanel-lock plyers. For the cam sprockets just let them move but they only moved a couple of teeth. I followed the instructions of marking all the points on the sprockets and the cranck pulley AND on the old timing belt and when transfered over the marks to the new timing belt was very easy to line up the cam sprockets again to how they were originally.
Definitely wouldn't say this is an easy job, takes some time and there are a few things that require dissassembly, but after getting it all done was a job well done.
a few notes:
- for the water pump removel, the inner timing belt cover can by bent out just like mentioned in this original post to remvoe the pump and install the new one (at first I thought maybe not possible when I saw it but I was able to get it done with not too much fuss).
- definitely want to unbolt the power steering line that passes over the outter timing belt cover and cam cover to allow it to move enough to remove/install the outer timing cover.
- if changing the serpentine belt tensioner, removal is easier then the instal. You may need to find someone with small hands to put the bolts in for you as that part is VERY tight to access. After I got the old one out and had the new one in place ready to be bolted on i got my 4' 11" wife with her tiny hands to thread in the bolts for me and then I was able to continue on and torque them with my wrench.

Thanks again for all the great input, not sure if I would have got through the job without this write-up.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention the particulars:
2005 Aveo LT Hatchback Automatic Transmission
105,990 Kilometers

[t.fader]

you need a serpentine belt BBAADD

[Oshawapilot]

+1 on the thank you for the write up - I'm printing it out right now and will reference it on the weekend while changing my timing belt.

[hustler]

Just did this earlier tonight!

I did a water pump, idler pulley, tensioner, serpentine belt, motor mount, plugs, wires, oil change and a lot of those belt related parts were totally trashed at 205,000km. The last time this was done was at 95,000 km under warranty, and it looks like they just stuck a belt on and called it a day.

Runs smooth, and I will not have to get an upset call from the wife on the side of the road. Thanks for the write up.

[petrified.rabbit]

how many miles do you have on your 09??