Which Timing Belt Kit?

[milesvinson]

It's about time to change the timing belt again. The last time I used a Gates kit w/ water pump. I was checking prices on RockAuto.com and was wondering what everone's opinion was on which of the following kits they thought was best and why:

AIRTEX Part # AWK1320 $68.79

DNJ ENGINE COMPONENTS Part # TBK325WP $85.79

GATES Part # TCKWP335 $91.79

GOODYEAR Part # GTKWP335 $95.79

DAYCO Part # WP335K1A $101.79

ACDELCO Part # TCKWP335 $114.99

All include the water pump.

PS - All of them are cheaper in price than what I paid for the Gates kit from NAPA two years ago.

[05Aveo]

I would definately go with the Gates if it gave you your time. One question are they metal or plastic?

[milesvinson]

are you talking about the pulleys?

[05Aveo]

Yep was talking about the pulleys. I was just looking at them and the DNJ is all metal and i would go with it instead of my first response. Plastic shatters while Metal will hold it shape and if the pulley freezes it will allow it to go on by instead of shreading away and keeping the engine intake anyway. That is my theory others might say different. 60000 is the change but would look at the 50000 mile mark to make positive things are going well.

[milesvinson]

Thanks, 05AVeo.

I've been wondering about the DNJ brand. Sounds like a good brand but I have no experience with them. I may give them a try. How did you find out about DNJ being all metal?

[05Aveo]

I was actually going by the picture of it when I looked at it on RockAuto.com. I sure hope it is. I would call them first and see to make sure. Be sure than sorry you know and please let me know if not. I have been researching all day on everything for my rebuild and RockAuto is going be cheapest best anyway you go so which ever you get make sure it will suit you. Chevrolet house is expensive and they can not tell me if it will be metal or not.

[Aveo5_boy]

They all will do the job but you may want to consider the option of getting a better quality water pump than the one that comes with the kits listed. The original WP that comes with the Aveo have the metal impeller (which I prefer) whereas the timing kits are plastic. I would get the kit with no WP included and purchase a WP with the metal impeller separately. BTW you can also check amazon which have the Gates and Delco kits at reasonable prices too.

[05Aveo]

hey that Dnj is metal. I called Rock Auto and they said it was metal.

[milesvinson]

If I remember correctly when I used the Gates kit I purchased from NAPA 2 years ago the impeller on the water pump was cast aluminum, but the idler pulley and the pulley on the tensioner was plastic.

[milesvinson]

Thanks for checking it out. I am sure this is information that will benefit all of us. It has been about 52,000 miles since I changed the timing belt.

Also, its time to change the plugs again. It's been over 60,000 miles on those. Last time I used NGK Laser Iridiums. The previous time I used NGK Iridium IX. Those NGKs were wore out and misfiring @ around 60,000. After doing some research I think I will go with the Bosch Iridiums this time. They have iridium on the ground electrode as well as the electrode. They are also cheaper than the NGKs.