Customer Had Bigger Problems! GMC Terrain Came In For A Belt, But Had Timing Chain Codes

Hey Good People,
I had a customer come in because her drive belt popped off. The employee at Advance Auto Parts said she needed a belt and tensioner. She had the vehicle towed in and I discovered a bigger problem.
Timing chain issues are common issues on these vehicles. It's better to catch them ahead of time and do them as preventive maintenance rather than running the risk of damaging the engine by neglecting it.
gmc terrain timing chain tensioner replacement gmc terrain 2013 timing chain tensioner noise timing chain rattle

[@angeloperezceo8101]

You got a smart wife. She follows along perfectly

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thanks brother!

[@michaelm_713]

I watch a lot of your videos and they’ve helped me a lot cause you actually take time to explain things and show how the work should be done. Thanks for the videos keep making them. Much love from Houston, Tx.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there and thanks for watching, I’m really glad you are enjoying my videos

[@toddl1962]

I like the way you explain things. I also like the way you seem to care for your customers!

[@Blowinshiddup]

My troubles started 3 years back when I heard a bit of valve slap, and discovered I was down 3 litres of oil. Didn't know about the rampant problems with the 2.4 oil loss. I went to GM and they said the rate wasn't high enough to qualify for the repair program. I just have to keep adding. 1 litre every 1000km. Last GM product I plan to buy.

[@blacksheep4booking852]

Maybe I just need a oil change

[@ZukosGarden]

Mine got 138k miles and I modded it still running strong 💪 🏃‍♂️ I took out the factory air intake because they are known to clog up and make the rear main seal burst and not alot of people who own them know that. I also put better spark plugs in it.

[@diontaperkins5193]

Thats wassup i did tha same with a air intake on 2016 sle but sadly last Friday at 145,687 she wouldn't start. Got a P0016 code Mechanic saying sounds like timing chain 🥲

[@diontaperkins5193]

@Ant&Babyliz🐜💯 honestly if u dont wanna deal high oil consumption and timing chain right away get 1 with less than 80,000 miles. Its a great suv its capable of handling offroading ive gone thru the woods with it to find great fishing spots.

[@johnmurphy9688]

Thanks for the heads up, now I know. 👍👍🇮🇪🇺🇸

[@Kelsey_Can_Try]

Found this video while looking for an almost EXACT same issue on our 2013 Terrain my husband is currently working in. Same color, 130k miles, and everything. That same bolt had backed almost completely out, been shaved 1/3 of the way through by the chain, not gone though; and then where the platic was broken off on the bottom of that folded over metal piece (technical term here) but our plastic wasnt just gone, the whole top of the folded metal was sheared off at the fold. Didn't even realize at first, because it was such a clean snap. The chain had been slapping all over.

[@johnmitchell2741]

Well made guys . Im surprised it lasted that long

[@432b86ed]

It's a shame that GM has soiled it's reputation with that motor. I've been looking at a 2011 Terrain that is almost identical, with a "bad timing chain" for $2500. Owner got upset with me when I wanted to put my boroscope inside the cylinders first. That really is a good looking vehicle, but i'd be a fool to buy one with the 2.4. Wondering if the V6 version is any better. There is one for sale for only 3K with a "bad catalytic converter". Regards.

[@JasPlun]

Good diagnosis Alex and that is a common issue with GM. I sure miss the days of the GM in the early 2000's when they had the better engines. They got to meet emission standards though so all manufacturers are using new tech and designs to meet the emissions. Glad you caught that because that could have become a financial burden for the customer. New to your channel and really enjoy your channel so far. You are a down to earth mechanic that cares about your customers and it shows:P

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thanks brother I’m glad you enjoy my videos. It seems like I’m doing GM timing jobs all the time, especially on these

[@JasPlun]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor I do not mean to down the newer engines I know they are being forced more and more into these designs to meet new emission laws, but they have just gotten to where so many fail way to early for the cost of the vehicles. I think I am going to stick with my trusty 2003 GMC. I will be watching and look forward to watching your channel grow!

[@patrickherbert1018]

I had a 2.2 that jumped at 162k because I didn't know there was a maintenance that could be performed. I now have a 2.4 with only 50K on it that I plan on keeping forever. At what point should I have the tensioners replaced? TIA

[@got2getit204]

100.000 it a kit you can buy that comes with everything you need just google front end kits for your pacific car instead of doing just the chain and tensioners you can change censors and sprockets and all the other stuff you didn’t know you would need to change!

[@tnolton2497]

I have a GMC terrain 2010, just bought it 2 months ago used and already putting in new timing chain and a belt for over $2,000. Any suggestions on how to prevent this from happening in the future?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Honestly, I can say is be religious! With your oil changes!

[@Q-gf8vb]

Getting rid of it

[@tnolton2497]

@@Q-gf8vb good idea

[@barry8462]

is that engine the eco tec?

[@savannahwestmoreland5178]

I have a 2015 Chevy equinox and it’s running rough. Sometimes when you start it it idles high and will die and other times it’s fine and won’t die. When I drive it sometimes it loses power and I can push gas a couple times and sometimes it will straighten out and sometimes it will die. We have changed o2 sensors and throttle body.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there is the check engine light on if so what is the code

[@savannahwestmoreland5178]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor p0420 but they said it’s not the catalytic converter. Someone suggested it may be the vvt solenoid.

[@splicezone]

Alex - I love your shirt, great video great info..

[@michaelallen2501]

I'm currently fighting one of these piles of shit. I'd walk before owning a 2.4 ecofuck engine.

[@atx-cvpi_99]

Yeah it is a POS.

[@jimdent351]

Is that the 3.6 liter engine?

[@Joe-mo3bl]

Wondering if you, or anyone reading this, have heard of or repaired a lunging issue? At a stop light or wherever, car in drive at a stop the whole car starts lunging/jumping forward! If I put in in neutral it stops. And it's not all the time... I've changed the throttle body, those 2 valves, regular oil changes... 2012 terrain.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there,is your check engine light on

[@Joe-mo3bl]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor hey, sorry for the late reply. I didn't see your msg here. But, no check engine. I actually just did an oil change and added 8 oz of that BARDAHL STOP LEAK +NO SMOKE. It's been almost 2 weeks, hasn't acted up once! Hope this is the Band-Aid that works.

[@rarebreed4512]

this happened in my gf 12 equinox... replaced vvt solenoids after getting po14 codes or something... dealership did something else two weeks later the engine blew

[@arnise77]

Yes my 2014 was doing that. I just had the throttle body cleaned

[@OGKushie]

14months and $12k on a new motor. Now on the 2nd warranty motor

[@Junior323L]

I see a lot of videos of first gen Acadia , but what about a 2019 ?? Any good ? I’m currently looking into one

[@JoseRamirez-ie2bk]

Tools box tour 😀👍😁

[@LakissaJ]

What year is this Terrain?

[@timbonjovi]

If got 3.0L V6 in a 2012 GMC Terrain. How's that engine?

[@TRE4RAISEDME]

4:51 you just lied, Alex just said he dove it in 😂😂😂

[@LakissaJ]

Is the Terrain losing oil

[@key981]

Yesss she should do a flip it series like pimp my ride

[@noafrancis14]

I have the same issue you were explaining. Where are you located so I can have my vehicle fix’s pls. The check engine light is on but the car runs good.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

I’m in Georgia. Near the Atlanta airport

[@masterofnone7846]

Them cars' pcv system sucks!!Very poor design.

[@demigod217]

can the vvt solenoids going out cause strain on the chain and stretch it or cause it to jump time>?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

A Bed VVT gear will definitely cause chain problems not necessarily the solenoid, the solenoid, just activate the gear

[@jameswaas2405]

I have a 2013 3.6.i plan on replacing timing chain at 100.000 miles regardless.

[@designstudio52]

Hey Alex I am having problems with my 2011 terrain for the first time. I had it diagnosic twice and p0011 aans po430 no one wants to take off the valve cover They just want to replace the engine whixhbis vwry costly bc no has a 3.0 engine for my model. Now the shop where I have it rn is saying its the compreasion in the cynlinder to have no powee but the other 4 are working. Can this be fix without a whole used engine? I was low on oil very low. Thats what start my engine jumping and stalling.

[@michaelallen2501]

You killed it with low oil. Needs an engine.

[@atx-cvpi_99]

Just find a 3.6 LFX or LFY engine that originally came with the 6T75 transmission and put it in. The 3.0s are harder to come by.

[@luismontes134]

Where are you located? Nice videos man

[@narrowminded7694]

Don't forget the Buick regal.

[@blacksheep4booking852]

Hello Y’all my GMC TERRAIN SOUND LIKE A DISEL WHEN CRANK IT UP THEN IT Idles down after one minute Can YOU MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT I NEED TO HAVE CHECK FIRST

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there, I will have the valve cover, pulled off and check the timing chain guides there are notorious for going out

[@blacksheep4booking852]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor should I drive it to the shop or not

[@blacksheep4booking852]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor THANK YOU SO MUCH @AlexTheCarDoctor

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@blacksheep4booking852 it’s best not to drive it until you know the timing chain components are in good shape. If you drive on bad timing chain components, you could risk damaging your engine internally.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@blacksheep4booking852 my pleasure happy to help

[@danielamangiore1108]

My terrain struggles going past 2.5 rpm to 3.5 rpm. slows speed, especially going uphill or when I need to gain speed. What could that be?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Is your check engine light on,if so what is the code

[@TheScottieShowTV]

I made the mistake of buying a gmc getting my timing chain replaced thankfully it didn’t go out while I was driving after I get it replaced I’m trading lol

[@shanteh1009]

I have a 2012 GMC terrain, mechanics suggesting new engine but said the timing chain is loose and a little debris in engine component. Not sure if I really need a new engine 😣🤔☹️

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

You don’t Need a new engine. Just replace the timing chain. Unless, it has bent valves or something like that.

[@shanteh1009]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor This is what their written diagnostics says: "found metal cam shaft actuator solenoids. Removed valve cover to further inspect down timing chain failure. Timing chain had play camshaft actuator gears spinning on camshafts"

[@__NJ__]

@@shanteh1009what did you end up doing

[@damianhaynes3181]

My car has a Reduce engine power reading and has many codes related to the camshaft do I need a new engine? Plus it has over 200,000 miles​@@AlexTheCarDoctor

[@DavidWilliams-vc2ms]

Another garbage terrain, cobalt and equinox. They are all horrible. GM has to do better!

[@lashawnwb3517]

What about GMC Acadia? I'm having some rattling noise even after the mechanic changed the sway bar links and bushings.

[@statesauce]

@@lashawnwb3517 same thing Acadia is also Junk if you want a reliable suv stick to Toyota and Honda

[@atx-cvpi_99]

@@lashawnwb3517those are bad too.

[@got2getit204]

Mine did at 100 thousand I replaced timing and sprockets and every censer valve cover gaskets and any rubber parts and now she runs top top shape I no now how to take car of these engines!

[@nicholaslandolina]

Put a guide

[@Q-gf8vb]

These things are hot garbage.

[@johnmurphy9688]

Buy a Toyota. Gmc=Junk cars. Gmc used to have great engines in the 2000s. I have a 2010, 92k miles, 2.4 Engine oil burns a quart every 1000 miles. Transmission slips. Electronic and brake issues. Junk junk junk But a Toyota if you can

[@Q-gf8vb]

Japanese in general. Toyota, Honda, Mazda, etc.