Has anyone done the ecotec timing chain replacement with the motor still in the car? I have 120k, boosted, and the car has been well maintained since I have owned it, but I dont know what the first 50K of its life were like. I am just thinking about it as a preventative type thing. I know that the chain is a 100k servicable type thing.

I DID! Had to make a few tools though..

How hard was it? There's not very much room.

Edward Trainor wrote:I DID! Had to make a few tools though..

what kinda tools? care to explain? I thought there was a right up somewhere about doing it with the motor still in the car.

EvoFire wrote:...I have 120k...

You're talking Miles?
I have 135k kms on mine and you're making me nervous saying they only last 100k



Buddy Club Ecotec Cavalier
* More to come *

Timing chain service interval on our eco's are 150k miles if im not mistaken.

no reason why you cant do it with the engine in, only tool I can think of that you need to make would be cutting the end off of and grinding on the back side of an Allen key for a better fit for the plug that covers a chain guide bolt. its half hidden behind the motor mount. backing off the engine to mount bracket will help with this, you can't get it off in the car, but you can get a lot of extra room to work.

EvoFire wrote:

Edward Trainor wrote:I DID! Had to make a few tools though..

what kinda tools? care to explain? I thought there was a right up somewhere about doing it with the motor still in the car.

my Chain went out at 90k (i know...) i replaced everything (chain. oilers ,guides, and tesioner) put the whole thing back together from the wheel-well . i didnt want to remove the upper engine mount. so to get one of the guides out u have to make up a torx with a 90* angle.

chain was about 3/4 of a chain stretched. you could almost pull it off the cam gear. Thankfully i changed it before it jumped.

Exactly what i had to do!