🔧 Malibu - Timing Chain Replacement

Your Malibu’s 1.5L turbo engine uses a timing chain, not a timing belt. Replacing the chain is a big job because the front cover has to come off and the engine must be supported while the right-side mount is removed.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-10 hours

Assumption: Stock 1.5L turbo (timing chain) layout.

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cold engine; hot coolant and oil can burn.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental cranking.
• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing the right engine mount (the engine can drop).
• ⚠️ Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers clear when releasing the chain tensioner (spring-loaded).

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Metric socket set 8mm-21mm
• Deep socket set 10mm-18mm
• Metric wrench set 10mm-18mm
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-100 Nm range)
• Torque wrench 1/2" (50-250 Nm range)
• Torque angle gauge (specialty)
• E-Torx socket set (E10-E18)
• Torx bit set (T20-T50)
• Flat trim clip tool
• Serpentine belt tool 3/8"
• Harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty)
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Plastic razor scraper
• Brake cleaner spray
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Paint marker
• Camshaft holding/locking tool set (specialty)
• Crankshaft locking pin tool (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain kit (chain + guides + tensioner) - Qty: 1
• Front cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft front oil seal - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft balancer bolt (single-use) - Qty: 1
• GM-approved RTV sealant (timing cover/corner joints) - Qty: 1
• Engine oil (dexos, correct viscosity for your Malibu) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Coolant (DEX-COOL compatible, pre-mix or concentrate) - Qty: 1-2 gallons

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Disconnect the battery using a 10mm socket on the negative terminal and isolate the cable.
• Raise the right-front corner with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Place a drain pan under the radiator area and be ready for coolant and oil drips.
• Take photos as you go.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the right-front wheel and splash shields

• Use a lug wrench (or 19mm socket) to remove the wheel.
• Remove the inner fender liner/splash shield using a trim clip tool and 7mm/10mm socket (fasteners vary by location).

Step 2: Drain coolant (and plan for an oil change)

• Use pliers or a screwdriver (as applicable) and a drain pan to drain coolant from the radiator drain or lower hose.
• Plan to change the oil after reassembly (front cover work can contaminate oil with debris/solvent).

Step 3: Support the engine

• Install an engine support bar (specialty) across the strut towers and lightly tension it to hold the engine.
• This prevents engine drop when the mount comes off.

Step 4: Remove the right engine mount

• Use a metric socket set and E-Torx sockets to remove the mount-to-body and mount-to-engine fasteners.
• Keep bolts grouped by location (some lengths differ).
• Torque to factory specification during reassembly (mount fasteners are critical).

Step 5: Remove the serpentine belt

• Use a serpentine belt tool 3/8" to rotate the tensioner and slide the belt off.
• Use a paint marker to mark belt direction if you plan to reuse it (best practice is replace if worn).

Step 6: Remove the crankshaft balancer (harmonic balancer)

• Use a breaker bar 1/2" with the correct socket to loosen the crank bolt.
• Remove the balancer using a harmonic balancer puller kit (specialty).
• Do not pry against the timing cover sealing surfaces.

Step 7: Remove components blocking the front cover

• Remove the upper engine cover and any intake ducting as needed using a socket set and screwdriver.
• Remove the valve cover using a socket set and/or Torx bits (fastener style varies by position).
• Torque to factory specification during reassembly (valve cover fasteners are low-torque; over-tightening can crack the cover).

Step 8: Set cylinder #1 to Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression

• Rotate the engine by hand using a socket and breaker bar on the crankshaft (clockwise only).
• Align the timing marks per the chain/gears. Use a paint marker to add your own reference marks.
• Install the crankshaft locking pin tool (specialty) and camshaft holding/locking tools (specialty) if your kit includes them. A holding tool keeps the cams from snapping when tension is removed.

Step 9: Remove the front timing cover

• Remove front cover bolts using metric sockets and E-Torx sockets.
• Gently separate the cover. Use a plastic razor scraper only—no metal screwdriver prying on sealing faces.
• Clean sealing surfaces with brake cleaner spray and a plastic razor scraper until dry and smooth.

Step 10: Remove the timing chain, guides, and tensioner

• Remove the tensioner using the correct socket. The tensioner is spring-loaded (it pushes on the guide).
• Remove chain guides using a socket set.
• Slide the timing chain off the sprockets carefully.

Step 11: Install the new chain kit and verify timing marks

• Install new guides and tensioner from the timing chain kit using a torque wrench.
• Install the new chain with colored links aligned to the sprocket timing marks (common on timing sets).
• Release/activate the new tensioner per kit instructions (some use a retaining pin you pull).
• Rotate the engine by hand two full turns using a breaker bar, then re-check timing marks alignment.
• If marks don’t line up, stop and correct.

Step 12: Reinstall front cover with correct sealant application

• Install a new crankshaft front oil seal (often pressed into the cover) using a suitable driver from your puller kit or a seal installer.
• Apply GM-approved RTV sealant only at the specified joints (typically where the cover meets the oil pan and cylinder head corners).
• Install the cover and hand-start all bolts, then tighten evenly using a torque wrench.
• Torque to factory specification (front cover bolts are different sizes and have different specs).

Step 13: Reinstall crankshaft balancer and use a NEW crank bolt

• Install the balancer straight onto the crank snout (do not hammer it on).
• Install a new crankshaft balancer bolt (single-use) and tighten using a torque wrench 1/2" and torque angle gauge (specialty).
• Torque to factory specification (this is typically a torque-plus-angle “stretch bolt” procedure).

Step 14: Reassemble valve cover, mount, belt, shields, and wheel

• Install the valve cover with a new valve cover gasket using a torque wrench and tighten evenly.
• Reinstall the right engine mount using metric sockets and E-Torx sockets. Torque to factory specification.
• Reinstall the serpentine belt using the serpentine belt tool 3/8".
• Reinstall splash shields with a trim clip tool and 7mm/10mm socket.
• Reinstall the wheel using a 19mm socket. Torque lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Refill fluids and reconnect the battery

• Refill coolant using a funnel with DEX-COOL compatible coolant.
• Change oil and filter using the correct socket and oil filter wrench if needed.
• Reconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm socket.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle. Listen for abnormal rattling at the front cover area.
• Check for oil leaks around the timing cover and crank seal.
• Bring the engine to operating temperature and confirm the heater blows hot (helps confirm coolant circulation).
• Recheck coolant level after the first full heat-soak and top off as needed.
• Any MIL light? Scan before driving far.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,400 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $950-$1,750 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-10 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.