Timing Belt Replacement!

[MorganVogt]

If you have an Aveo, GM recommends replacing your timing belt at 60,000 mi; however, mine broke at 55,000 mi (mine is a 2004). Apparently this is a huge problem with the Aveo and Wave. The parts are cheap even for a belt (they use a plastic idler pulley instead of metal like most cars). No one had even mentioned this to me, so I'm a bit miffed at the $2,000 fee to fix my car (all 16 valves broke, the timing belt has to be replaced, as well as the idler pulley and other things that were damaged during the break). Replace early and often, I guess.

[hooah212002]

I'm also curious if the replacement needs to be done at 120k miles as well.

[byron84]

The parts are cheap even for a belt (they use a plastic idler pulley instead of metal like most cars).

Yeah I was surprised to discover this as well. I wonder if the fact has been problematic for people so far?

[byron84]

Well, I have more than 57,000 miles (92,000km) on mine. I just ordered the timing belt kit and water pump, cost just under $140cad tax/shipping included. Will post updates once parts arrive.

[johnygogo]

Thats a good deal! Did it come with a tensioner? Where did you order it from?

I wish someone would make a good video of a timming belt change. I'm sure they would get alot of views!!!!

[byron84]

Thats a good deal! Did it come with a tensioner? Where did you order it from?

I wish someone would make a good video of a timming belt change. I'm sure they would get alot of views!!!!

Sorry man, I lost track of this thread. I now have the car jacked up and took off the wheel and removed the air filter. Hopefully everything goes well.

I ordered the timing belt kit from eBay which came with the tensioner. I ordered the water pump from Rock Auto, and I also ordered a metal thermostat housing (because the stock one is plastic and I dont want to wait for it to break), from a seller on iOffer (I think they are also on eBay).

Edit: I don't have a video camera, sorry.. otherwise i'd take record it for sure.

I am using this http://www.aveodiy.blogspot.com/ to help me out for now

[Monzaveo]

Hey cool. Hope my Blog gets you through it all.

I check here from time to time. Getting the new gasket on the back of the pump from behind the plastic cover was a ginormus beotch. I may have had a friend hold the plastic back I cant quite remember now.

[byron84]

Well, everything turned out just fine. Thankfully my dad was able to help me, he has done numerous timing belts some which a bigger beyotch than the Aveo (think subaru, boxer inline 4 engine). everything went without a hitch, took pretty much all day though.

changed the water pump and thermostat housing (put the metal one to replace the plastic one even though it wasn't cracked yet)
flushed the radiator and put new fluid in (which was much needed)

realized in teh process that i should change the accessory/serpentine belt and the tensioner , but im sure it will be fine for a little while till i do that.

it's also oil change time ,which I think plugs/wires should accompany it... but they are ok for now. all in all i am happy , car is running great

oh and when we took off the old belt, it was obviously about to break! whew.. it was just about coming apart.

[petrified.rabbit]

what was your mileage?

[johnygogo]

Right on Byron84! Happy to hear everything went well for you. Did you have any problems removing the back plate to get the water pump off?