2012 Buick Regal 2.0: Timing chain time

[14Accent]

I dug into my Regal today to perform some major repairs: timing set, vacuum pump, and transmission fluid change.

I know everyone loves pictures, so here goes:

Plugs with ~8k miles

Old timing components:

New balance shaft components installed:

New timing components with ZZP upgraded main guide:

Updated 1 piece upper guide bolt:

New OEM vacuum pump installed:

2.5 quarts of HPL went into the transmission and a quart of their engine cleaner went in the sump. I changed the oil 3k miles ago with Castrol Edge Euro, I left it in there along with the Frame Ultra and I plan to run it for another 2k or so with the HPL cleaner. At that point it'll be getting another Ultra with Pennzoil Platinum Euro L.

 

[KGMtech]

Looks like the engine was happy? or maybe the old parts were happy to leave? How much time to do the timing job?

 

[Trav]

Did you do the water pump?

 

[vinu_neuro]

Thanks for sharing. What's the mileage on the engine, what were the oil change intervals, what oils were used?

 

[14Accent]

Looks like the engine was happy? or maybe the old parts were happy to leave? How much time to do the timing job?

It took me ~ 3 hours to do the timing components. Book time is 5.7. Access is REALLY good on this car. All that needs to come off is the valve cover, balancer, belt tensioner and idler pulley, and the timing cover itself. I also replaced the VVT solenoids with OEM units while I was at it. Replacing the vacuum pump and changing the transmission oil added another couple hours. All in all I was in the garage for ~ 6 hours. Keep in mind I have a hoist and air compressor at home which makes the job super simple.

Did you do the water pump?

I did not. Ecotec water pumps rarely fail, and replacing it requires removing the passenger half shaft and the catalytic converter. Not the easiest task on a northern vehicle.

Thanks for sharing. What's the mileage on the engine, what were the oil change intervals, what oils were used?

119,642 miles on the engine, and I have no idea on the intervals. I purchased the car last year with 112k miles on it and it wasn't due for an oil change until 116k. When I changed the oil I used Castrol Euro Car 5W30 and a Fram Ultra filter.

 

[JTK]

6 speed manual on this one? Cool!

 

[UncleDave]

119,642 miles on the engine, and I have no idea on the intervals.

Thanks.

What prompted you to go in - crank/cam position sensor alerts?

 

[14Accent]

6 speed manual on this one? Cool!

Thanks! It's an absolute blast to drive yet still incredibly comfortable to commute with. Handling is really it's specialty, though. With the suspension in GS mode it drives like it's on rails.

 

[14Accent]

Thanks.

What prompted you to go in - crank/cam position sensor alerts?

Actually, nothing other than seeing other people's chains at the same mileage. I have no history on this car and plan to keep it a long time, so I pulled the valve cover to inspect and found significant slack in the chain. Not enough to cause a rattle or set timing codes (yet), but it was ready to be done. These engines also have a habit of breaking their timing guides, so overall it was a "fix it before it breaks" kind of deal.

All in, including the vacuum pump and fluids, I'm in the job for about $600. Here's the total list of what got replaced:

Complete timing set incl. balance shaft: $320
OEM VVT solenoids: $30/ea
OEM valve cover gasket set: $25
Fel-Pro timing cover gasket: $22
OEM vacuum pump (new take-off from a crate engine): $30
6 qt. HPL 75w90 CC + 1 qt. of 5w30 engine cleaner: $140
OEM PCV seal: $5

 

[GMBoy]

We see probably 2-3 a month on those because people run them low on oil and they stretch. Good job and you're doing them the same amount of time we do. Nice pics too.

 

[14Accent]

We see probably 2-3 a month on those because people run them low on oil and they stretch. Good job and you're doing them the same amount of time we do. Nice pics too.

I never got to do just the chains back when I worked at a shop. My customers just rattled them to death and then junked the car or put in a crate motor. Usually Equinox's.

 

[GMBoy]

I never got to do just the chains back when I worked at a shop. My customers just rattled them to death and then junked the car or put in a crate motor. Usually Equinox's.

Very true!

 

[Egg_Head]

I see that 2.0 is rated at 295 ft. lb. torque at 2400 RPM, is it AWD and/or do you get wheel hop with FWD?

 

[14Accent]

It's FWD, they didn't offer AWD until 2014 unfortunately.

To be honest, I really don't drive the car very hard. It seems maybe one WOT run a week if that. If I DO get on it, 1st and 2nd will break the tires loose easily. The key is to kind of roll into the boost to about 15-20 miles an hour and then romp on her.

 

[Egg_Head]

What a sleeper!

 

[Cheetah-kins]

Sweet car, OP. I bet it gets good gas mileage too.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

***DELETE***

 

[14Accent]

Sweet car, OP. I bet it gets good gas mileage too.

It gets around 25 average, but I can squeak 30 out of it on a long cruise at sub-70 speeds.

 

[Cheetah-kins]

It gets around 25 average, but I can squeak 30 out of it on a long cruise at sub-70 speeds.

Which of course is amazing given the HP of the car. Gas mileage always is a factor to me when getting a car - sports car or not. Bad gas mileage quickly kills anything I'd have any interest in at all. Those Regals are really nice cars.