Timing belt change or else.

[GMCTRUCKS]

Read owners manuel it states change timing belt and gears at 60,000 miles. Believe me do it or else the belt is going to break and bent valves and more possible. While you there change out water pump. This has happen to three people that I know of so pay now or pay later don't wait for real it can cost machine shop work which is not cheap and so on. Don't be saying I should have done it like the post read.

[Davescort97]

I have known that the timing belt on the Aveo should be replaced no later that 60k. Take it to the dealer and get it done for about $300. If it breaks you can expect to have it repaired for around $1500. Don't run your Aveo hard. It will make the belt break sooner. It's not a matter of if, its a matter of when. Don't put it off.

[timguyli]

Alldata says theres a GM bulletin stating the original Timing and serp belts are not made of the correct material and they crack and fail earlier then expected. DO NOT wait past 50k miles! My 04 belts were shot @ 50k... cracks all through them.

[Davescort97]

Originally Posted by timguyli

Alldata says theres a GM bulletin stating the original Timing and serp belts are not made of the correct material and they crack and fail earlier then expected. DO NOT wait past 50k miles! My 04 belts were shot @ 50k... cracks all through them.

Thank you. I was going to wait til 60k, but will get the 05 done at 50k. Forewarned is forearmed. I appreciate your commments. You probably saved me $1500.00.

[andretti]

Originally Posted by timguyli

...DO NOT wait past 50k miles! My 04 belts were shot @ 50k... cracks all through them.

I second the call to replace earlier. We have an '04 in our shop now with only 102,000 kilometers (about 63k miles) and its game over. Not only do the valves bend but it cracks the guides as well.

[Davescort97]

Thanks for your reply. I've got 47k now and am a believer that what you say is true. I will say just one thing. The tensioner pulley is on the water pump which is rotated to tension the belt. Always put a new O ring on the water pump. If not the old O ring which has been flattened out won't seal any more. The end result is antifreeze leaking on the pulley causing premature failure again.

[rhandwor]

Chevrolet used to use quality Gates belts. Did they switch to an over seas supplier?

[Davescort97]

I don't know. Possible. They probably have belts that are made in China. Everything else is made there. Chevrolet has known these belts fail arouind 60k. They have a TSB that states Chevy will pay for the belt if you get it replaced between 30k and 55k. They want to inspect the belts before they actually fail.

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

I don't know. Possible. They probably have belts that are made in China. Everything else is made there. Chevrolet has known these belts fail arouind 60k. They have a TSB that states Chevy will pay for the belt if you get it replaced between 30k and 55k. They want to inspect the belts before they actually fail.

Did you ask for a free belt so you can replace it yourself?

[Davescort97]

Nah. You gotta get it replaced by a Chevy dealership. I can get an excellent belt at NAPA for about $36. As a matter of fact I can get the belt, waterpump, idler pulley and tensioner pulley for about $168.00. at NAPA. All of the above are made out of aluminum alloy and disipate the heat better than the steel parts. They are made by Beck/Arnly here in the states. If you want to get a job done right, you have to do it yourself.

[rhandwor]

I've always found it takes as long to get the parts as it takes to do the job.
This means your 1/2 way done. Start early before it gets hot and you will be ready for Memorial day.
Any one else short on cash I checked my water pump wrenches against my water pump wrenches for size. I think a loaner set of water pump wrenches from Auto Zone or Advance will fit well enough to work for this job. Its better to have the proper tool but you have to get the job done.

[Davescort97]

It takes a special 1 9/16 inch tool to rotate the water pump to tension the belt. I've looked at it and if I take the motor mount off the block I can get a pair of water pump pliers in there to do the job. The special Chevy tool is nothing but an off-set open end wrench for $40.00. I've never done a timing belt on an Aveo. I have done it a dozen times in my mind so I know it will come out okay. Thanks for your thoughts and comments. I've always learned something from your posts. ~Dave~

[geofrog]

I have 61k on my 07' Aveo, Knowing the maintenance techniques I scheduled my car to have the timing belt replaced a month ago. They ordered the belt, and finally today they are going to do the belt. They quoted me around 300 to do it, but while they have the car I am having them check the air bag light that just came on last week, and also the serpentine belt has been chirping when i hit the gas. So all is said and done, my car has been in the shop all day, can't wait to see the final bill.

Kris

[rhandwor]

Watch when you sell or give the car away. You can tell them to change a belt but if it breaks you don't want family or a friend mad at you because the belt broke and trashed the engine. Happens more frequently than you think.

[geofrog]

I got the car back from the dealer, Only 255 to change the belt, however it was 43 to fix the airbag light, which turned out to be the sensor under the passenger seat was disconnected, and another 53 for the serpentine belt.