🔧 Impala - Timing Chain Replacement

Your Impala’s 3.6L V6 does not use a timing belt—it uses timing chains. Replacing them is a major job because the front cover, engine mount area, and the cam/crank timing components must come apart, and cam timing must be set precisely to avoid engine damage.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 10-16 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Disconnect the negative battery cable before starting.
• Support the engine from above or below before removing any engine mount.
• Work only on a cold engine; hot coolant can cause burns.
• Keep fingers/clothes clear when rotating the engine by hand.
• Do not crank/start the engine until timing marks are verified.
• Use a torque wrench on reassembly; overtightening can crack aluminum parts.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Razor scraper
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Metric socket set 8mm-24mm
• Metric wrench set 8mm-24mm
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench 10-80 ft-lbs
• Torque wrench 50-250 ft-lbs
• Extensions set 3"-12"
• Universal joint adapter
• Torx bit set T20-T60
• E-Torx socket set E8-E20
• Serpentine belt tool 3/8" drive
• Harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer installer kit (specialty)
• Timing tool kit for GM 3.6L (camshaft holding/locking) (specialty)
• OBD2 scan tool capable of reading cam/crank correlation codes

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain set - Qty: 1
• Timing chain guides - Qty: 1 set
• Timing chain tensioners - Qty: 1 set
• Timing cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Water pump gasket - Qty: 1
• Thermostat housing gasket - Qty: 1
• RTV silicone sealant (GM-spec) - Qty: 1
• Engine oil (full synthetic, correct spec for your Impala) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Coolant (Dex-Cool compatible) - Qty: as needed
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft balancer bolt - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Raise the front of the car with a floor jack and support it on jack stands.
• Remove the right-front wheel using a 19mm socket.
• Plan for downtime: parts cleaning, sealant curing time, and careful timing verification.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove splash shields and access the front of the engine

• Remove the right-front inner fender liner/splash shields using a plastic trim clip remover and 7mm socket.
• Place a drain pan under the engine area.

Step 2: Drain coolant

• Open the radiator drain (or remove the lower hose) using hose clamp pliers or a flathead screwdriver.
• Drain into a drain pan and reinstall/secure the drain when finished.

Step 3: Remove the intake ducting and upper access items

• Remove the engine cover by pulling upward (no tools).
• Loosen intake clamps using an 8mm socket and remove the air duct.
• Unplug any connectors you must move out of the way by pressing the lock tabs by hand.

Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt

• Rotate the belt tensioner using a serpentine belt tool 3/8" drive and slip the belt off.
• Take a photo of belt routing first.

Step 5: Support the engine and remove the right engine mount

• Install the engine support bar (specialty) across the strut towers and lightly tension it to hold the engine.
• Remove the right engine mount fasteners using the appropriate metric sockets and E-Torx sockets as equipped.
• Remove any mount brackets blocking the front cover using metric sockets.
• Torque on reassembly: Use factory specifications from GM service information for all mount/bracket bolts.

Step 6: Remove the crankshaft harmonic balancer

• Remove the crankshaft balancer bolt using a breaker bar and correct socket.
• Use a harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty) to pull the balancer off.
• Do not pry against the timing cover sealing surface.
• Important: Plan to install a new balancer bolt and tighten using factory specifications (this is commonly a torque-to-yield style fastener).

Step 7: Remove the front (timing) cover

• Remove front cover bolts using a metric socket set and E-Torx sockets.
• If the oil pan-to-cover seam uses RTV, carefully separate the cover using a plastic trim tool (avoid gouging aluminum).
• Clean sealing surfaces using a razor scraper, then wipe with brake cleaner spray and shop towels.
• Torque on reassembly: Use factory specifications for cover bolts (lengths vary—keep them organized).

Step 8: Set cylinder #1 to Top Dead Center (TDC) and lock timing

• Rotate the engine by hand using a socket and breaker bar on the crank until timing marks align per the service procedure.
• Install the timing tool kit for GM 3.6L (camshaft holding/locking) (specialty).
• TDC means piston #1 is at the top.

Step 9: Remove timing chains, guides, and tensioners

• Relieve and remove the chain tensioners using the correct metric socket.
• Remove chain guides using metric sockets.
• Remove the timing chains carefully and keep note of chain routing.

Step 10: Install new guides and tensioners

• Install new guides using a torque wrench and the correct socket.
• Install new tensioners (some must be “pinned” until the chain is on).
• A “pinned” tensioner is held compressed.
• Torque: Tighten guide/tensioner fasteners to factory specifications.

Step 11: Install new timing chains and verify timing marks

• Install chains following the marked links and sprocket timing marks per the GM procedure.
• Double-check cam/crank alignment with the timing tool kit (specialty) still installed.
• Release tensioners (remove pins) only after everything is aligned.

Step 12: Hand-rotate the engine and re-check timing

• Remove the cam holding tools (if required by the kit instructions), then rotate the engine by hand with a breaker bar for at least two full crank revolutions.
• Bring it back to the timing check position and verify timing alignment again.
• If marks do not align, stop and correct before reassembly.

Step 13: Reinstall the timing cover with new seals and RTV

• Install a new front crankshaft seal (often pressed into the cover) using the correct tool from your installer kit or a suitable driver.
• Apply RTV silicone sealant (GM-spec) at the specified joints (commonly at oil pan seams) per the service pattern.
• Reinstall the cover and tighten bolts evenly using a torque wrench.
• Torque: Tighten cover bolts to factory specifications.

Step 14: Reinstall the harmonic balancer and new balancer bolt

• Press/install the balancer using a harmonic balancer installer kit (specialty) (do not hammer it on).
• Install the new balancer bolt and tighten using a torque wrench plus the required angle method if specified.
• Torque: Use factory specifications for the balancer bolt.

Step 15: Reinstall engine mount, belt, and remaining components

• Reinstall mount brackets and the right engine mount using metric sockets and E-Torx sockets.
• Reinstall the serpentine belt using the serpentine belt tool 3/8" drive.
• Reinstall the fender liner/splash shields using a 7mm socket and trim clip remover.
• Reinstall the wheel and tighten lug nuts using a torque wrench to factory specifications.

Step 16: Refill fluids and change oil

• Refill coolant with a funnel and correct Dex-Cool compatible coolant.
• Change the oil and filter using the correct socket for the drain plug and an oil filter wrench if needed.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle. Watch for oil leaks and coolant leaks around the timing cover.
• Bleed air from the cooling system per the Impala’s procedure (top off after the thermostat opens).
• Use an OBD2 scan tool to check for stored or pending codes (especially cam/crank correlation codes).
• Test drive gently, then recheck coolant level after the engine cools.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $2,000-$4,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $400-$1,200 (parts only)

You Save: $1,600-$2,800 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 10-16 hours.

---

🎯 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.