🔧 Timing Belt - Not Equipped

Your Equinox does not use a timing belt on the 2.0L turbo engine. It uses a timing chain instead, so there is no timing belt to replace. A timing chain service is a major internal engine repair and is much more involved than a belt job.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 8-14 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Disconnect the negative battery cable before starting.
• Support the engine properly if the mount must be removed.
• Keep the crankshaft and camshafts locked in time before disassembly.
• Do not rotate the engine with timing components removed.
• Use caution around hot coolant, oil, and exhaust components.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Metric socket set
• Metric wrench set
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• Jack stands
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller (specialty)
• Timing chain locking tool set (specialty)
• Screwdriver set
• Drain pan
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain set - Qty: 1
• Timing cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Engine oil - Qty: 1 service fill
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Coolant - Qty: 1 drain and refill
• RTV sealant - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool fully.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Drain engine oil and coolant before opening the timing cover area.
• Label every bolt as you remove it.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Prepare the vehicle

• Use a 10mm wrench to disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Raise the vehicle with a floor jack and support it on jack stands.
• Drain the engine oil and coolant into a drain pan.

Step 2: Remove accessory components

• Use the correct metric socket set to remove the engine cover, air intake parts, belt-driven accessories, and brackets blocking the timing cover.
• If the engine mount blocks access, support the engine with an engine support bar and remove the mount.

Step 3: Remove the timing cover

• Use the metric socket set to remove the timing cover bolts.
• Carefully pry the cover loose without damaging the sealing surfaces.
• Remove the cover and old gasket material.

Step 4: Set engine timing at top dead center

• Rotate the crankshaft with a breaker bar until cylinder 1 is at top dead center.
• Install the timing chain locking tool set to hold the camshafts and crankshaft in position.
• Do not skip the locking tools.

Step 5: Remove the timing components

• Use the metric socket set to remove the chain guides, tensioner, and timing chain.
• Inspect the cam phasers, guides, and sprockets for wear.

Step 6: Install the new timing components

• Install the new timing chain, guides, and tensioner using the timing chain locking tool set.
• Align all timing marks exactly as specified by the service procedure.
• Torque to manufacturer specification for all timing fasteners.

Step 7: Reassemble the engine

• Clean the timing cover sealing surfaces and apply RTV sealant where required.
• Install the new timing cover gasket set and timing cover.
• Reinstall the engine mount, brackets, accessories, and intake parts.
• Torque to manufacturer specification for all bolts.

Step 8: Refill fluids and verify operation

• Refill the engine with new oil and coolant.
• Reconnect the battery.
• Start the engine and listen for abnormal chain noise.
• Check for oil, coolant, or vacuum leaks.

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✅ After Repair

• Clear any diagnostic trouble codes if present.
• Verify smooth idle and normal oil pressure.
• Recheck fluid levels after warm-up and again after a short test drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,800-$3,500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $1,450-$2,600 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 8-14 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.