Upgraded Timing Belt

[mkarns]

Good Day All:

Does anyone know if GM or any other supplier is going to offer an upgraded heavy duty timing belt like suppliers did with the VW TDI's?

I can't believe anybody is satisfied with having to change their timing belts every 50-60,000 miles.....

I love my '07 Aveo LS in every other way........

Thanks,
M. Karns

[rodeo02]

Is the belt definitely the problem with the Daewoo 1.6L? I know on other Daewoo 4cyls it was a weak idler pulley that would cause the T-belt to pop off [pulley would get wobbly], thus crashing most of the intake valves. Almost 100% of the time, it's not the belt itself, it's a tensioner, idler or T-belt driven water pump pulley that causes the belt to fail. On a timing belt replacement, you need to check and replace the tensioner, idler(s) and water pump.

Looks like a royal PITA of a T-belt replacement for this engine. I'd ride it out to the max the owner's manual specs & have GM pay the bill if it crashes before 5yrs/100Kmi on a 2007+. Here is the 1.6L with the timing belt covers off:

Joel

[Sappy96]

doesn't look to hard to replace. But the water pump and tensioner pulley should be part of the serpentine system.

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by Sappy96

doesn't look to hard to replace. But the water pump and tensioner pulley should be part of the serpentine system.

It's a ~72 step procedure per the write-ups I've seen. No special tools, just a ton of time and knuckle-busting. The water pump is driven by the timing belt and there is an idler pulley and a tensioner pulley in there as well. Again, usually it's the tensioner, idler or water pump that gives up the ghost first, causing the timing belt to fail.

Joel

[mikedudley17]

just know that the belt will prolly break at the worst time possible if u decide to "ride it out." best bet is to follow the manufacturers instructions. also, it is the belt and not so much the pulley. for some reason, around 60k miles it just breaks.

[rodeo02]

Interesting. I've read of countless cases on the Daewoo 2.2L (slightly different engine I know) where an idler pulley for the T-belt looses it's bearings, gets wobbly and causes the belt to pop off, thus trashing the intake valves. Usually the exhaust valves are spared due to having more clearance built-in to deal with the heat. The 2.2L is used on the Daewoo Leganza, 1998-2003 Isuzu Rodeo and some Holdens. Maybe just luck on my part, but I've never seen a T-belt or serpentine belt for that matter, snap/break without having a component jamb it, over-heat it or make it fail. I had a 1984 Ford EXP back in the 1980s where the (T-belt driven) water pump seized and sheared all the teeth off the T-belt. The engine just stalled out and that was it. No engine damage on that 1.8L though.

Joel

[mikedudley17]

pretty sure the 2.2l is diff from the 1.6, its in the service manual and many cases of timing belts breakin and bending valves and puttin holes in the pistons have occurred.

try it, find out lol.

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by mikedudley17

pretty sure the 2.2l is diff from the 1.6, its in the service manual and many cases of timing belts breakin and bending valves and puttin holes in the pistons have occurred.

try it, find out lol.

Yep, it's a larger engine, but still a DOHC, with a very similar T-belt setup. I'm just your average amateur, but have been tinkering with cars for 25+yrs and I've never seen a T-belt just snap within a few years/60Kmi, where you can just replace the belt [and valves at a minimum] and be done with it. T-belts are extremely tough. Much tougher than your typical serp belt or old-school V-belt. Pulleys that are out of alignment or seizing cause them to fail.

Joel