🔧 Traverse - Timing Chain Replacement

Your Traverse’s 3.6L V6 uses a timing chain (not a timing belt). Replacing the timing chain set is a major job because you must open the front of the engine, set the engine to exact timing marks, and reseal the timing cover to prevent leaks.

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

Assumption: 2016 Traverse 3.6L uses the GM HFV6 timing chain system; verify torque specs with OEM service info for your exact engine RPO.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cold engine; hot coolant can burn.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before starting.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ You must support the engine before removing the right-side engine mount.
• ⚠️ If timing is set wrong, the engine can be damaged on startup.
• ⚠️ Keep sealant out of the engine; excess RTV can clog oil passages.

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🔧 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 (10-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 Nm range)
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (50-250 Nm range)
• Socket set (8mm-24mm)
• Torx socket set (E10-E14)
• Torx bit set (T30-T50)
• Extensions (3", 6", 12")
• Serpentine belt tool (15mm)
• Harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer installer (specialty)
• Camshaft holding/locking tool set for GM 3.6L (specialty)
• Pry bar
• Trim clip remover
• Gasket scraper (plastic)
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Paint marker

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain kit (primary chain, secondary chains, guides, tensioners) - Qty: 1
• Timing cover sealant (RTV, OEM-spec) - Qty: 1
• Front crankshaft seal - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft balancer bolt (torque-to-yield) - Qty: 1
• Engine oil (dexos, correct viscosity) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (DEX-COOL compatible) - Qty: 2-3 gallons (mix as required)
• Accessory drive belt - Qty: 1
• Water pump (recommended while accessible) - Qty: 1
• Thermostat gasket/O-ring (if disturbed) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• 🔋 Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• 🛠️ Plan for sealing time: RTV needs a short “skin time” before assembly (follow the sealant label).
• 📌 Learn two terms: TDC means “top dead center” (piston at the top), and TTY bolt means “torque-to-yield” (one-time-use stretch bolt).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the right front and remove the wheel/splash shield

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the right front wheel using a 19mm socket.
• Remove the right inner fender/splash shield fasteners using a trim clip remover and 7mm socket.

Step 2: Drain coolant and drain engine oil

• Place a drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the radiator drain; open it by hand or with pliers if needed.
• Drain the engine oil using a 15mm socket for the drain plug.
• Remove the oil filter by hand; keep the drain pan (10-quart minimum) under it.

Step 3: Remove the serpentine belt

• Rotate the tensioner with a serpentine belt tool (15mm) and slip the belt off.
• Tip: Take a photo of belt routing.

Step 4: Support the engine and remove the right engine mount

• Install the engine support bar (specialty) across the strut towers and lightly tension it.
• Remove mount fasteners using socket set (8mm-24mm) and Torx socket set (E10-E14) as equipped.
• For reassembly, tighten mount hardware to Torque to OEM specification (varies by fastener type/location).

Step 5: Remove the crankshaft balancer (harmonic balancer)

• Remove the balancer bolt using a 1/2" drive breaker bar and correct socket from your socket set (8mm-24mm).
• Use a harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty) to pull the balancer straight off.
• Do not pry against the timing cover sealing surface; use the puller only.

Step 6: Remove the front timing cover

• Remove any obstructing brackets/pulleys using socket set (8mm-24mm) and Torx bit set (T30-T50).
• Remove timing cover bolts using socket set (8mm-24mm) and extensions (3", 6", 12").
• Carefully separate the cover using a pry bar only at designated pry points.

Step 7: Set cylinder #1 to TDC and lock the camshafts

• Rotate the engine by hand at the crank using a socket from your socket set (8mm-24mm) until timing marks align at TDC.
• Install the camshaft holding/locking tool set for GM 3.6L (specialty). This tool keeps cams from snapping out of position under valve spring pressure.
• Mark current chain-to-sprocket positions with a paint marker for a backup reference.

Step 8: Remove tensioners, guides, and timing chains

• Remove timing chain tensioners using socket set (8mm-24mm).
• Remove chain guides using socket set (8mm-24mm) and Torx bit set (T30-T50) as equipped.
• Remove the primary and secondary chains and keep track of which side they came from.

Step 9: Install new chains, guides, and tensioners (critical timing step)

• Install new guides using socket set (8mm-24mm); tighten to Torque to OEM specification.
• Install the new chains aligning the colored links to the sprocket timing marks (follow the kit/OEM diagram exactly).
• Install new tensioners using socket set (8mm-24mm); tighten to Torque to OEM specification.
• Release/arm the tensioners per kit instructions so they take up slack.
• Tip: If marks don’t line up, stop and reset.

Step 10: Verify timing by rotating the engine by hand

• Remove the cam holding tools only when instructed by the tool kit directions.
• Rotate the engine clockwise by hand two full turns using a socket from your socket set (8mm-24mm).
• Re-check timing marks alignment; if anything is off, do not proceed.

Step 11: Reseal and reinstall the timing cover

• Clean mating surfaces using a gasket scraper (plastic), brake cleaner spray, and shop towels.
• Install a new front crankshaft seal into the cover if not pre-installed (tap evenly by hand pressure; avoid distortion).
• Apply timing cover sealant (RTV, OEM-spec) in the OEM bead pattern, especially at seam joints.
• Install the timing cover and hand-start all bolts, then tighten evenly using a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 Nm range) to Torque to OEM specification.

Step 12: Reinstall harmonic balancer with new bolt

• Press the balancer on using a harmonic balancer installer (specialty) (do not hammer it on).
• Install a new crankshaft balancer bolt (torque-to-yield) and tighten using a 1/2" drive torque wrench (50-250 Nm range).
• Typical GM HFV6 procedure is an initial torque plus angle turn; set to Torque to OEM specification for your exact engine.

Step 13: Reinstall engine mount, belt, shields, and wheel

• Reinstall the right engine mount using socket set (8mm-24mm) and tighten to Torque to OEM specification.
• Install the new belt using the serpentine belt tool (15mm).
• Reinstall the splash shield using a trim clip remover and 7mm socket.
• Reinstall the wheel using a 19mm socket and tighten lug nuts to Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Refill fluids

• Install a new oil filter hand-tight, then add engine oil using a funnel.
• Refill coolant with DEX-COOL compatible coolant using a funnel.
• Reconnect the battery negative cable using a 10mm socket.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Start the engine and let it idle; listen for abnormal rattling (a brief initial tensioner fill can be normal, but loud/ongoing noise is not).
• 🛑 Check for oil leaks at the timing cover and crank seal area.
• 🌡️ Bring the engine to operating temperature and confirm the heater blows hot; top off coolant after it cools down.
• 🔎 Recheck engine oil level after the first short test drive.
• 🧰 If the check-engine light turns on, have codes scanned and address immediately before driving further.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1800-$3500 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $1450-$2600 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?

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