Belt or chain in a Chevrolet Cruze: which is better. What is on the Chevrolet Cruze, timing chain or belt Nuances and timing for replacing the timing belt

Both the chain and the belt, in short. The first models from General Motors - Chevrolet first rolled off the assembly line in 1998. The line of engines at that time was represented by one copy with a volume of 1.4 liters (A14NET / NEL). A little later, engines with volumes of 1.6 and 1.8 liters were installed under the markings F16D4 and F18D4, respectively. The first engine with a volume of 1.4 had a pre-installed chain-type timing belt, the next two were classic in the form of a belt.

Briefly about the timing drive

The gas distribution mechanism is an important component of the engine. This unit drives the camshafts and crankshafts in motion. Under pressure, the combustible mixture is ignited in the combustion chamber, the car moves.

The belt, as a drive element, has become so popular that the percentage exceeds 75% of all technical equipment available on the market. Previously, the figure barely reached 25%.

Belt drive advantages and disadvantages

The vast majority of naturally aspirated Chevrolet Cruze engines are belt-driven. Among the many "pluses", we will designate the following:

• ease of replacement, installation;
• lack of lubricating medium;
• low noise level. The noise figure is a record 15%.

At the same time, there are drawbacks, more precisely one, but essential - short-term service life. In practice, the mileage indicator does not exceed 70 - 80 thousand km. Provided an aggressive driving style or engine oil gets on the belt, the resource is reduced by a third. Given the many forgeries, the lifespan barely exceeds the 60,000 km mark.

Chain drive advantages and disadvantages

As already mentioned, the chain is only used on a 1.4 liter engine.

Advantages:

• the duration of the vehicle's life. The real mileage is at least 150,000 km. With proper use of the machine, the resource reaches 180,000 km;
• reliability;
• structural strength.

Disadvantages are also present:

• the greatest and main "minus" is excessive noise during operation;
• the need to install additional parts for the full functioning of the mechanism, such as a tensioner, a damper;
• systematic prevention, replenishment of the missing amount of lubricant. Otherwise, the chain will simply jam.

The tensioning of the chain links is a complex process and is possible only if the tensioning rollers are in good working order. Under high oil pressure, the roller, together with a spring, regulates the chain tension during the rotation of the Chevrolet Cruze crankshaft and camshaft.

Chain or belt. What's better

It is impossible to answer the question unequivocally. Due to the fact that each has its pros and cons. The owner of a Chevrolet Cruze chooses a car based on his needs and requirements. There is a question about the choice of the type of drive, it is better to give preference to the belt drive. Despite its short lifespan, installing a new belt is a matter of five minutes, unlike a chain.

If the Chevrolet Cruze is planned to be used in special climatic regions with negative temperatures, choose the chain drive side. The belt is less adapted to the cold. And if you take into account the ingress of ice water, the final decision is obvious.

Regardless of the type of pre-installed timing mechanism, carry out a technical inspection, install only high-quality and original parts, use a moderate driving style of the Chevrolet Cruze.

Timing Replacement Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 liters (141 hp) are required every 150,000 kilometers. Yes, that is how much modern timing belts go. True, replacement may be required for another reason. For example, the timing roller is out of order or engine oil gets on the belt. In this case, you should not postpone the repair. Let's not forget that if the timing on the Chevrolet Cruze breaks, the valve bends and your car will need expensive engine repairs. The operation to replace the timing belt is very difficult. Since you will need a special tool to fix the camshafts from turning, a pit or an overpass. Plus, this procedure will take quite a long time to disassemble and remove various parts.

Let's start with the timing scheme for the Chevrolet Cruze 1.8, so that it would be clear what we have to do.

We hasten to please, this design has timing marks. However, to install the belt, we will definitely need to fix the camshaft pulleys from turning, otherwise it will not work to install everything according to the marks. We start disassembling the Cruz 1.8 liter engine. For work, we need a pit or overpass, since some of the work will have to be carried out from below.

Under the engine compartment of the Chevrolet Cruze with the "13" head, unscrew the four bolts securing the protection of the power unit to the front suspension subframe. We remove the protection of the power unit, supporting it with an adjustable stop. Next, remove the right mudguard in the engine compartment. We take out two pistons connecting the flap and the fender liner of the right wheel at the same time. Using the "8" head, turn off the three self-tapping screws for attaching the flap to the subframe. Sliding the right flap down, we take it out from under the wheel arch liner and remove it.

We unscrew the self-tapping screws for fastening the fender liner of the right front wheel to the front bumper and fender and take out the clips for attaching the front part of the fender liner to the body, bend the front part of the fender liner and put it behind the brake disc.

To check the condition of the timing belt head E-10 unscrew the two screws securing the top cover of the drive. Remove the cover.

Turning the crankshaft with the E-18 head clockwise for the screw securing the auxiliary drive pulley, we evaluate the condition of the timing belt.

To replace the timing belt, remove the drive belt for the Chevrolet Cruze auxiliary units and dismantle its tensioner.

To access the timing belt, dismantle the right support of the power unit. We install a height-adjustable stop through a wooden block under the engine oil pan. Remove the air filter.

Using the “15” head, we unscrew the two bolts securing the right support of the power unit to the side member, three bolts securing the support to the engine bracket and the nut securing the support to the mudguard of the body. We take out the support from the engine compartment.

We dismantle the spark plugs. To access the ends of the camshafts, remove the cylinder head cover. Pulling upwards, remove the engine control system wiring harness covers from the cylinder head cover holders. We move the spring clip of the crankcase ventilation tube tip. Remove the tube tip from the cylinder head cover fitting.

Head E-10 unscrew the 11 screws securing the cylinder head cover. Remove the engine cylinder head cover.

Before removing the belt, we set the crankshaft and camshafts to the TDC (top dead center) position of the compression stroke of the first cylinder. To do this, turn the crankshaft clockwise by the screw securing the accessory drive pulley until the mark on the accessory drive pulley coincides with the mark on the lower timing cover. The timing marks of the crankshaft are clearly visible in the following photo.

In this case, the grooves made on the shanks of both camshafts should be located parallel and practically at the same level with the surface of the cylinder head adjacent to the cylinder head cover. We look at the photos below.

If the grooves on the camshaft shanks do not occupy the indicated position, turn the crankshaft one more revolution (360 degrees) clockwise and again check the correct installation of the crankshaft and camshafts.

Head E-18 unscrew the screw securing the accessory drive pulley. In order to keep the crankshaft from turning, we put stops under the wheels of the car, turn on the fifth gear in the gearbox and ask the assistant to firmly press and hold the brake pedal.

If in this way it was not possible to unscrew the pulley fastening screw, then, by unscrewing the two bolts with the head "15", dismantle the dirt-protection plate covering the gap at the junction of the gearbox housing and the engine oil pan - next to the housing of the inner hinge of the right wheel drive.

We insert a slotted screwdriver through the gap between the flywheel teeth and rest it on the differential bearing cover, thereby blocking the crankshaft from turning. Having unscrewed, we take out the screw that secures the pulley of the accessory drive. Remove the pulley.

Using the “15” head, unscrew the three bolts securing the bracket for the right support of the power unit (the coolant pump pulley has been removed for clarity). Remove the bracket.

Using a slotted screwdriver, release the latch of the middle timing cover on one side and on the other.

Lift and remove the middle timing cover. Using the E-10 head with an extension cord, unscrew the four screws securing the lower timing cover. Remove the cover of the gas distribution mechanism of the engine of the Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 engine. We again check the correctness of the engine camshaft timing.

With the accessory drive pulley removed, check the coincidence of the mark on the crankshaft toothed pulley with the mark on the cylinder block cover. The marks on the toothed pulleys of both camshafts must be opposite each other.

If necessary, turn the crankshaft to the required position using the screw for securing the accessory pulley, screwed into place through a suitable thrust bushing.

In order to secure the camshafts from turning when replacing the belt, it is necessary to make a device from a metal plate or angle. The dimensions of the fixture are shown in the following photo.

The camshaft retention tool will help to properly install the new Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 timing belt.

We insert the device into the grooves on the camshaft shanks. The plate will fix the shafts relative to each other.

Attention! To avoid damage to the drive discs of the camshaft position sensors, install the plate so that it does not touch the discs. For this, two recesses are made in the plate.

To loosen the belt tension, insert the “6” hexagon into the roller hole and, turning the roller clockwise with the hexagon, release the belt tension and pull the belt off the roller. Remove the timing belt from the camshaft and crankshaft toothed pulleys.

The timing belt of the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 liter (141 hp) has 146 teeth, a width of 24 mm.

Caution: After removing the belt, the crankshaft must not be turned to avoid the valves sticking into the pistons. If it is necessary to replace the tension roller with an asterisk wrench Torx T-50 we unscrew the screw of its fastening. We shoot the video.

To replace the belt guide roller with a Torx T-50 wrench, unscrew the roller fastening screw. We shoot the video. When installing the tension roller, we insert the protruding end of its spring (on the reverse side of the roller) into the corresponding groove on the cylinder block cover.

Before installing the belt, we check by the coincidence of the alignment marks (see above) that the crankshaft and the camshaft actuator housings of the phase control system are installed correctly. If necessary, turn the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys to the desired position. We put the belt on the toothed pulleys of the crankshaft and camshafts and wind the belt behind the guide roller. Turning the tension roller clockwise, we wind up the belt for it and release the roller. This will automatically tighten the belt.

We take out the fixing device from the grooves of the camshaft shanks. We turn the crankshaft two turns clockwise using the screw securing the auxiliary drive pulley.

Check the valve timing again. If the timing marks do not match, we repeat the procedure for installing the Chevrolet Cruze timing belt again.

If everything is in order, first tighten the screw securing the accessory drive pulley to a torque of 95 Nm. Next, turn it 30 degrees, and then another 15 degrees.

All other parts and assemblies of the Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 liter engine are installed in the reverse order.

FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN

The timing chain drive of the Chevrolet Cruze is part of the gas distribution mechanism and is involved in the transmission of torque from the crankshaft to the camshaft. The chain can connect them directly or participate in the work indirectly, for example, connecting the camshafts with each other, if there are two of them, while its functional purpose remains unchanged.

Monitoring the condition of the timing chain, replacing "dampers" and tensioners, is part of the scheduled maintenance of the car and plays an important role in the operation of the vehicle engine. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the gas distribution system regularly, as this directly affects the vehicle's power, sensitivity when supplying gas and fuel consumption.

FEATURES OF CHAIN ​​REPLACEMENT

In most engines of old car models, chains with roller links were used to transmit torque, often the components went in two or three rows, this made the timing chain a very reliable, almost eternal mechanism that did not need constant maintenance. Often the car traveled up to 300,000 km. and the chain of the mechanism received only lateral play, and the worst thing that could happen to the gas distribution mechanism was the jumping of the links, breaks were extremely rare. Over time, the trend in the creation of cars has become the production price, efficiency, environmental friendliness and the weight of the car's engine, which affects its power. In these conditions, manufacturers began to strive to replace the timing chain with a lighter, cheaper and easier to maintain timing belt. And those motors in the design of which the chains were preserved, the roller components were replaced with light plate links, more reliable than timing belts, but still not as strong as roller chains.

The Chevrolet Cruze timing chain has a number of features that fundamentally distinguish it from the timing belt.

1. The chain is a durable mechanism, its wear takes much longer than the timing belt, breaks occur, but much less often than in belt-driven engines.

2. An open circuit of the gas distribution mechanism occurs quite rarely, which means that an engine breakdown, which requires expensive overhaul, does not occur often.

3. Timing chains are quite noisy, but with the current level of car sound insulation, this parameter becomes not very important.

4. When the chain is worn out, its backlash and lateral runout occur, this indicates the need to replace the old chain with a new one. Since the metal part is sagging and lateral beating is accompanied by strong noise, it is simply impossible not to notice and not attach importance to it. The noise under the hood will be the first "call" indicating the need for vehicle maintenance.

5. The main disadvantage of replacing the Chevrolet Cruze timing chain is that it is located inside the cylinder block and it is rather difficult to assess its condition without training and experience. In addition, dismantling and replacement, with such a device, is a long and laborious process, which means it is expensive.

6. Tensioners and dampers are involved in the timing chain - these are consumables that wear out quickly and need more frequent replacements than the timing chain itself.

TYPES OF FAILURES

1. At the timing chains, with full serviceability, a natural course is observed, which is compensated by the tensioners when the oil pressure is applied. A malfunction is considered to be a strong lateral beating of the timing chain, which appears when the links are stretched. It is possible to determine the real degree of chain stretching only with a qualified inspection of the gas distribution mechanism.

2. Backlash is a direct stretch of the chain, which is observed during long-term operation, can lead to jumping of the chain links and malfunction of the gas distribution mechanism, this leads to a decrease in the sensitivity of the engine when the accelerator pedal is pressed and an increase in fuel consumption.

3. Opening the timing chain of the Chevrolet Cruze is the most dangerous damage to the engine, in the case of a chain drive of the motor it is not common, but it does occur. In the event of such a malfunction, the camshaft ceases to be associated with the crankshaft and can stop completely arbitrarily in such a position in which any of the valves of the gas distribution mechanism will be open. In this case, the piston, moving upwards, may collide with the valve, which will lead to its deformation and the car engine will face serious repairs. It should be noted that the timing chain breakage does not happen unexpectedly, almost always this is accompanied by changes in the operation of the vehicle, a decrease in its power, a change in gasoline consumption and the occurrence of extraneous noise.

To prevent and prevent the operation of the gas distribution mechanism, it is necessary to periodically troubleshoot the timing chain, this will save the car engine from damage, prevent premature engine wear and increase its service life.

CAUSES OF WEAR

1. Operation of the Chevrolet Cruze car in extreme conditions. Frequent driving on unpaved roads, towing trailers, heavy loads, driving at high speeds leads to an increase in the load on the crankshaft, spinning it up to maximum speed, which leads to a stretching of the timing chain.

2. Since the timing chain is located inside the cylinder block, it is completely washed by engine oil and, as a result, is very sensitive to its quality. In the case of using high-quality synthetic oil containing specialized detergents in its composition, the service life of the timing chain is significantly increased.

3. The timing chain involves parts that regulate the tension of the chain, they are consumable and need to be replaced periodically. During the maintenance of the car, it is necessary to check the degree of wear of the tensioner and "damper"; untimely replacement of these parts can lead to a stretching of the chain and skipping of the links.

SYMPTOMS OF MALFUNCTIONS

1. Increased consumption of gasoline by car;

2. Decrease in engine power; 3. The appearance of clanking and noise under the hood of the car when the engine is running;

4. Complete stop of the car on the move, when trying to start the engine does not start, and the starter rotates easier than usual;

5. Unstable operation of the Chevrolet Cruze engine at idle and in motion;

6. The appearance of shots in the receiver of the injector and the exhaust pipe.

All these malfunctions may indicate a shift in valve timing and a loosening of the chain tension. If you notice one or more signs of this list on your car, immediately contact the service station for an inspection.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN

The frequency of replacement of any consumables for Chevrolet Cruze vehicles depends on the driving style and the mode of operation of the vehicle. With extreme driving style and aggressive use of the vehicle, it is necessary to replace the timing chain as it looses and wears out.

Under normal operating conditions, it is necessary to replace the timing chain as planned, every 100 - 150,000 km. mileage. If your car has an analog belt, it must be replaced a little earlier than the time recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Trust your car only to professional specialists who are able to correctly troubleshoot the timing chain, assess lateral runout and backlash, replace and correct the operation of tensioners, chain drive “dampers” and replace the Chevrolet Cruze timing chain.

The Chevrolet Cruze is one of the best-selling cars produced by the independent subsidiary of General Motors, Chevrolet (1911). The model first appeared in the car market in 2008 and, constantly improving, is being produced to this day.

In general, the range of engines that can be used to power Chevrolet Cruze vehicles is very diverse. However, in Russia, models were initially supplied, equipped only with atmospheric engines F16D4 and F18D4, having a cylinder volume of 1.6 and 1.8 liters, respectively. A little later (2010), a turbocharged power unit A14NET / NEL with a cylinder volume of 1.4 liters was added to them, which comes only with an automatic gearbox and is able to develop power up to 143 liters. with. At the same time, the F16D4 engine (EcoTec series) is considered the base engine of the Chevrolet Cruze.

One of the questions that worries buyers of any car is how the gas distribution mechanism (timing) of the power unit is activated. Cars of the Chevrolet Cruze model range are no exception, on which engines with different timing drive mechanisms can be installed.

Timing drive mechanism

The timing drive is one of the most critical components in an internal combustion engine (ICE). It is with its help that the camshaft of the power unit is activated, the rotational movement of which is transmitted from the crankshaft. In modern car engines, a rubber belt or metal chain is used for this.

Belt drive

In naturally aspirated engines used for Chevrolet Cruze cars, the timing camshaft is driven by a rubber belt.

Among the advantages of a belt drive, experts note:

• ease of replacement;
• no additional lubrication;
• lack of noise;

High-strength rubber belt fits over exposed crankshaft and camshaft gears. For a more precise synchronization of their rotation, the inner surface of the belt has teeth, which ensure engagement with the teeth of the gears.

The main disadvantage of a belt drive is a small (compared to a chain) service life, which is no more than 90 thousand km of run. At the same time, it is recommended to replace them every 50 ... 60 thousand km. In addition, during the operation of the car, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the belt surfaces and, if cracks appear, immediately replace it. This will avoid more serious engine damage that can occur if the rubber belt breaks unexpectedly.

Chain drive

In the A14NET / NEL engine, the camshaft is driven by a steel chain.

The advantages of a chain drive include:

• long service life (more than 180,000 km. run);
• strength;
• increased reliability.

As for the disadvantages, the use of a chain drive leads to increased noise and the need to install a number of additional parts (tensioner, damper), with the help of which, during operation, the chain is tensioned and its vibrations are damped. In addition, the chain requires lubrication during operation.

Chain tensioning is a complex process and is provided by special tensioning rollers. In this case, the tensioner is paired with a special spring and, in addition, the engine oil pressure is used. A steel toothed chain drives the camshafts by contacting the teeth of the sprockets attached to them. The condition of the chain and its service life largely depend on the pressure of the engine oil in the lubrication system of the power unit. The use of high-quality consumables also has a significant impact on the operation of the timing chain drive.

Which is better: a chain or a belt

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question which is better - a steel chain or a rubber belt. In practice, both chain and belt drives occur at approximately the same frequency. And if earlier the presence of a belt in the timing drive met with misunderstanding, now the belt drive has begun to dominate over the chain drive.

Important! This is primarily due to the fact that the quality of the drive belts has improved significantly.

For their manufacture, the most modern synthetic materials with high technical characteristics are used. They retain the necessary elasticity, while withstanding harsh operating conditions, characterized by high mechanical loads and ambient temperature drops in the range from 45 to + 120 ° C.

Many are attracted by the fact that the service life of the chain is more than double that of the belt drive, but we must not forget that the chain stretches during operation and requires periodic maintenance.

Car owners who choose an internal combustion engine with a timing belt drive believe that it is better to replace the belt several times, since this procedure is much easier and cheaper. It is easy to carry out with your own hands.

The frequency of replacing the timing belt on a Chevrolet Cruze is 60,000 km, or every 4 years (whichever comes first). However, it is recommended to check the timing belt every 100,000 km. When checking, pay attention to the condition of the belt. Replacement is needed if its teeth are worn out, cuts, cracks, folds appear, the fabric begins to peel off from the rubber. There should be no protruding threads or delamination on the end faces, and the normal outer surface of the timing belt has no bulges or grooves.

What you need to replace the Chevrolet Cruze timing belt

In addition, traces of oil are unacceptable on it - it quickly destroys rubber materials; such a belt should be replaced immediately. As a rule, oil stains the belt due to leaky crankshaft and camshaft oil seals. Be that as it may, the cause of the oil leak must be eliminated.

It is worth noting that the direct procedure for replacing the Chevrolet Cruze timing belt will have several preparatory stages. The simplest of them are recommendations to install a car on a pit, overpass or lift, and acquire the necessary tools and consumables.

To replace the timing belt, you will need: keys for 10, 14, 17, sliding pliers, a hexagon for 5, a timing belt kit.

Before replacing the Chevrolet Cruze timing belt, it is necessary to remove the accessory drive belt, dismantle the air filter housing, remove the front right wheel and set the piston of the first cylinder to TDC. All these procedures (with the exception of wheel removal) are worth mentioning separately - these are the first steps in the instructions for replacing the timing belt.

Removing the air filter housing Chevrolet Cruze

To remove the air filter housing, you need a flat screwdriver and a 10 wrench. First, loosen the clamp of the supply hose and disconnect it from the air filter housing connection. Then squeeze the retainer and disconnect the power steering hose, which is held by the bracket on the air filter housing.

Next, you need to lift and pull the body holders out of the mountings on the body, and then disconnect the intake air sensor wiring harness from the bracket. Then disconnect the harness connector from the sensor. Remove the air filter housing by pulling the lower tube out of the throat from the air duct.

Removing the alternator belt Chevrolet Cruze

Removing the accessory drive belt, in principle, gives an idea of ​​how the Chevrolet Cruze alternator belt is replaced. To work, you need a key for 14.

Before proceeding with the removal of the belt, for convenience, you should remove the air filter housing.

It is very easy to remove the drive belt with your own hands - you need to loosen the belt tension by turning the tension roller clockwise with a key. After that, you can remove the strap from the pulleys, remembering how it was installed. Installation is upside-down.

Tags when replacing the timing belt Chevrolet Cruze

In order not to disturb the installation of the valve timing when replacing the timing belt, the piston of the 1st cylinder is set to TDC (top dead center) of the compression stroke using marks on the camshaft pulleys. If set according to the marks on the crankshaft, the piston of either the 1st or 4th cylinder may be at TDC.

Having installed the piston at TDC, you should check if the marks on the crankshaft pulley match. If they are not aligned, then the phases are violated - you need to remove the belt and turn the crankshaft until the marks coincide.

When installing the piston of the 1st cylinder at top dead center, the marks of the camshaft toothed pulleys should be opposite each other, while the mark on the crankshaft toothed pulley should be opposite the slot on the rear cover of the timing drive.

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