Cruze 1.8L uses timing belt

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
11,196
Location
NY Capital District
Found this out tonight, just letting you all know that if anyone is interested, the Cruze with the 1.8L, uses a Timing BELT, instead of a timing chain (1.4 has a chain). Figured I would pass along this info.
 
Thanks Nick
laugh.gif
 
i would buy 1.8, it gets much better mpg...performance might be another story
 
Originally Posted By: chet2
i would buy 1.8, it gets much better mpg...performance might be another story


Cruze 1.8L Auto is 22/35
Cruze 1.4T Auto is 24/36
 
Timing belts are quieter, use less power ans supposedly easer on the valve train. However: from my experience the extra maintenance cost to replace and the potential for catastrophic engine failure (interference engine), I really don't want an engine with them. What is the change interval on the Cruse?
 
Low maintenance
Measures contributing to lower running costs include: timing belt change intervals every 10 years or 160,000 km;
 
I would bet the water pump also drives off it. So it's usually replaced at the same interval.

I'm sure the service departments love that they went with a timing belt for it. Charge 2.5 hrs. labor, do the job in 1 hr.

And then the service writer will talk people into drive belts, oil change, trans service, coolant, hoses, a leaky gasket, struts, etc. etc. and people that don't know will keep throwing money at them. Perhaps money they don't really have, which was why they bought this so called 'economy car' in the first place.
cry.gif
 
Originally Posted By: toyota62
I would buy 1.4T over [censored] 1.8L.Don't you guys have the diesel Cruze?


That car of legend is rumored to be hitting our shores in 2012 as a 2013 model. While I'd like to believe that, we've been burned on diesels so many times before.
 
Maybe the 1.4T isn't selling as well because someone buying the new car knew someone else with a problematic turbo engine.
 
Timing belts are a turn off for me after a bad experience I had with a used Honda Accord that with a lot of luck and me paying attention did not end up with a blown engine. All because the previous owner did not want to pay for a proper timing belt job and went to some hack that damaged an oil seal on one of the idler pulleys, which resulted in a total oil loss when the seal popped off.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Maybe the 1.4T isn't selling as well because someone buying the new car knew someone else with a problematic turbo engine.


Haven't seen a 1.8 in dealer stock yet. Probably because you can't get one with factory cruise control.
 
Originally Posted By: chad8
Low maintenance
Measures contributing to lower running costs include: timing belt change intervals every 10 years or 160,000 km;


Until you need to replace the timing chains, tensioners, guides, etc. Pepople seem to think timing chains last forever, but given the other timing chain issues on GM engines, I wouldn't be sold on a car one way or the other based on this use of a chain or belt.
 
Originally Posted By: MrCritical

Haven't seen a 1.8 in dealer stock yet. Probably because you can't get one with factory cruise control.


I think you mean "Cruze" control..
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny248
Originally Posted By: chad8
Low maintenance
Measures contributing to lower running costs include: timing belt change intervals every 10 years or 160,000 km;


Until you need to replace the timing chains, tensioners, guides, etc. Pepople seem to think timing chains last forever, but given the other timing chain issues on GM engines, I wouldn't be sold on a car one way or the other based on this use of a chain or belt.


I've replaced timing belts and timing chains on 4 cyl engines and really could not say one way or another which was a bigger job. Needless to say though for overall peace of mind I would much rather have a chain which is one reason I was OK with an 8th gen Civic. (timing chains since 2006)
 
Originally Posted By: MarkM66


I'm sure the service departments love that they went with a timing belt for it. Charge 2.5 hrs. labor, do the job in 1 hr.

And then the service writer will talk people into drive belts, oil change, trans service, coolant, hoses, a leaky gasket, struts, etc. etc. and people that don't know will keep throwing money at them. Perhaps money they don't really have, which was why they bought this so called 'economy car' in the first place.
cry.gif

You hit the nail square on the head.
 
My Cruze (1.4T) is a very nice car. The materials used in the interior are far, far superior to previous small Chevys like the Cavalier and Cobalt. It rides like a larger car.....the problem so far is that it uses fuel like a larger car too.
I'm not impressed with 25 mpg average in a car that is supposed to get 24/26. I'm hoping it improves (to at least 28 mpg average) as it breaks in. I was expecting an average of 30.
My Corolla gets over 30 in all around driving.

PS: In all fairness the Cruze is a much smoother and classier ride than my 2008 Corolla....and yes the timing chain over the belt in the 1.8 is a big positive in my book.
 
Originally Posted By: MrCritical
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Maybe the 1.4T isn't selling as well because someone buying the new car knew someone else with a problematic turbo engine.


Haven't seen a 1.8 in dealer stock yet. Probably because you can't get one with factory cruise control.



A Cruze, without cruise?? What kind of world are we living in?! Whats next cats and dogs living together?!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top