A break in the timing belt can cause not only bending of the valves, but also the cause of the formation of microcracks on the cylinder head. And microcracks are unstable engine operation, a decrease in power. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the belt every 60 thousand kilometers, or once every two years if the car is rarely used.
The timing belt on the Chevrolet Lacetti is replaced every 45-60 thousand kilometers. Do not wait for the belt to break, as this is fraught with the fact that the valves will bend, or the cylinder head will be covered with microcracks. And this will end with repairs, which will result in a lump sum. Therefore, the maximum mileage of the timing belt should be no more than 60 thousand kilometers. If you drive a little, then every two years you must definitely change it.
It's much better for a car when it drives a lot. Downtime is destructive because all rubber products dry out and become covered with cracks. If it is a timing belt or a generator, then when started after a long idle period, it can quickly break. If we are talking about nozzles, then when the coolant is heated, the structure of the product may be disturbed, microcracks will turn into full-fledged holes. If the car has been in the garage for a long time, it is best to replace all rubber products, including timing belts and alternator before starting operation.
Checking the timing belt
On the Chevrolet Lacetti, checking the timing belt is to identify defects. These include cracks, cuts, breaks. To get to the belt, you will need to remove the air-purifying filter. This will make it easier for you to remove the plastic cover that covers the belt. After that, you need to unscrew the nuts that secure this cover to the engine block. The cover is attached to the engine with just three bolts.
When the protection is removed, you can also remove the alternator belt so that it does not interfere with diagnostics and replacement. After that, install wheel chocks under the left rear wheel, and lift the front right side on a jack and turn on the fourth speed. Now that you have a good view of the belt, turn the wheel slowly clockwise. The crankshaft will spin, so you can see the timing belt, carefully examine it for damage.
Replacing the timing belt
If the belt has reached the end of its service life, or if the belt is clearly damaged, it must be replaced. For repairs, you will need a timing kit that includes two rollers and a belt. It will be correct if you change the pump along with the belt. Once again, I don't want to get into the gas distribution mechanism, and the resource of the liquid pump is slightly longer than the resource of the belt.
When installing a new timing belt, pay attention to the marks that are applied to the crankshaft and camshaft pulley. Only after the shafts are correctly aligned according to the marks, you can put on the belt and tighten it. Note that the pump housing can also slightly tighten the timing belt. And look at the belt itself, as there may be arrows on it showing the direction of rotation. If there are no arrows, it doesn't matter how you install the belt.
