🔧 Impala - Timing Belt Replacement

Your Impala’s 3.5L V6 does not use a timing belt—it uses a timing chain (a metal chain inside the engine). That means there’s no routine “timing belt replacement” interval like on many other cars.

Most people asking this actually mean the serpentine belt (the external belt that drives the alternator and A/C). If you meant the serpentine belt, follow the DIY steps below.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine; hot parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers/clothes away from pulleys; never run the engine with hands near the belt.
• ⚠️ If lifting the front, use jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for a serpentine belt, but remove the key and keep it out of the ignition.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive breaker bar (18"-24")
• 15mm socket
• Flashlight
• Trim clip removal tool
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Serpentine belt tensioner - Qty: 1 (only if worn/noisy)
• Idler pulley - Qty: 1 (only if worn/noisy)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and locate the belt routing diagram sticker (usually on the radiator support/under-hood area). If it’s missing, draw a quick sketch before removing the belt.
• If access is tight from above, lift the right-front corner with a floor jack and support with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the belt tensioner

• Use a flashlight to find the belt tensioner (a spring-loaded arm with a pulley).
• If your tensioner has a bolt head, place a 15mm socket on it with a 3/8" drive ratchet.
• If your tensioner has a square hole, insert the 3/8" drive ratchet directly into it.

Step 2: Release tension and remove the old belt

• Use the 3/8" drive breaker bar (or ratchet) to rotate the tensioner and relieve belt tension.
• While holding the tensioner rotated, slide the belt off the easiest-to-reach pulley (often the alternator) using your free hand.
• Slowly let the tensioner return to its resting position. Don’t let it snap back.
• Remove the belt completely from the remaining pulleys.

Step 3: Inspect pulleys and tensioner

• Spin each pulley by hand. If you hear grinding, feel roughness, or see wobble, plan on replacing that pulley/tensioner.
• Check the tensioner arm movement by rotating it with the breaker bar; it should move smoothly and spring back firmly.

Step 4: Route the new belt

• Route the new belt using the under-hood diagram (or your sketch).
• Make sure the belt ribs sit fully in the grooved pulleys and the smooth side rides on smooth pulleys.
• Leave the easiest pulley for last (so you can slip it on while the tensioner is released).

Step 5: Apply tension and seat the belt

• Rotate the tensioner again using the 3/8" drive breaker bar or 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Slide the belt onto the last pulley.
• Slowly release the tensioner.
• Re-check belt alignment on every pulley using a flashlight.

Step 6: Reinstall any access panels (if removed)

• If you removed a splash shield, reinstall it using a trim clip removal tool (and reinstall the clips/fasteners).
• Lower the car safely using the floor jack and remove the jack stands.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and watch the belt for 10-20 seconds. It should run straight with no hopping or squealing.
• Turn the A/C on and turn the steering wheel slightly; listen for chirps or squeals.
• If the belt squeals immediately, shut the engine off and re-check routing and pulley alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$250 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $30-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $90-$160 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.

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Quick question (so I guide you correctly): Did you mean the serpentine belt (external belt), or are you actually trying to service the timing chain (internal engine repair)?