How To Replace Timing Chain On Chevy / GM 3.6L V6 - Full Length Removal and Install - With Tips!

[@ericalexander6175]

I am an ASE master tech w/L1 advanced tech w/over 40 yrs exp so i can tell you listen to this guy the way he explains in this video work easy with or without the engine in the vehicle. Don't be intimidated by this engine. like women It's easy after your first. Great vid young buck, keep it up , your the future

[@johnhymer1629]

It can be done in the car I I did it changed timing chain in the car

[@tcpnetworks]

Yeah - I got over 500,000Km from my 3.6 alloytech. They aren't a difficult engine if you are used to euros... Only put the car to the scrappers because of serious cracking.

[@mky9227]

Do you prime the oil pump before installation???

[@tcpnetworks]

@@mky9227 Hek yes... If you've taken the housing off - or you are using new years (smrt idea) just pack some grease in the housing first. You can't get neg pressure and the pumps leak like a mofo. The standard grease will be lost in the oil. You'll be changing oil out after a few weeks - so it's not a concern.

[@johnhymer1629]

@mky9227 anytime u still pump prime with oil to get air out

[@JamesBurnett-g3w]

My name is James. I have a 2009 Cadillac CTS with a 3.6. I watched your video and followed step by step procedures on how to replace my timing chains. It was so very helpful as I had not installed one on overhead cams before. I would highly recommend your video to anyone that attempts to do the chains for themselves. Thank you very much!!!

[@Surf_killa]

I am a tech who does most of our timing in the shop, this guy makes GM and mitchell look like they have no idea what they are doing, so well explained this is the second time in my career i have referred to this video because eveb GMs factory info doesnt explain the stages as well as he does! Amazimg work.

[@armi5382]

i’m at a gm dealership too, just finished putting chains on a cts 3.6. All my marks were on point before I rotated the crank, now they’re all off. Like he said is it normal for them to be 5-6 teeth off after a couple rotations of the crank

[@petesmith9952]

Hi all. Im a self taught mechanic. I started playing with cars when I was 12. Since then I have worked for a couple of big companies here in Australia. This is a great video. Well explained. I have done about 8 of these engines since I retired. The way he did those chains is how I always do them. You will not go wrong if you take your time. To GoTech, best video I have seen on this. Well done son :)

[@kevinsnyder2298]

Hands down, The best automotive repair tutorial and content ever

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks man! ~Mike

[@aaronwildman3652]

Good overall video on doing the timing chains on these GM 3.6 l One critical piece of information though before you even start the job. If you're attempting to do this with the motor still in which I have done many many many times for front wheel drive vehicles such as the Arcadia traverse terrain and Buick and even some old Saturns that use this motor The hardest part of the entire job can be just getting the effing crank pulley off. A lot of people grind down modify a three jaw puller From places such as harbor freight but there's not a whole lot of clearance between the frame rail where the crank pulley sits Get yourself the OEM GM or good eBay knock off crank pulley remover tool for this motor. It's not a three jaw puller it's a one piece design that slips perfectly over the crank pulley on these gm3.6 motors giving you the clearance you need Or you'll never even be able to start to get your timing chains off because you won't be able to pull the timing chain cover or anything else you will quit before you even start just trying to get the damn crank pulley off if you don't have the proper tool. Other side notes go with the cloyes timing chain kit spend the 400 bucks for the love of God there are lots of $200 Chinese timing chain kits for sale on eBay and Amazon everyone ive helped do one of these 3.6 motors with the Chinese kits the timing chain tensioners and other components always fail within a year You are not saving a couple bucks by going with cheap parts. You'll be doing the job again prematurely. Other notes would include this is an interference engine. If your cam phasers go bad if you're lucky the motor will just click But if this does jump out of time you will bend valves and if that happens of course you replacing valves by removing the heads You're also looking at replacing the cam phasers that's another part do not go aftermarket on there's lots of Chinese knockoffs on Amazon and eBay they only cost about $20 more a piece for the OEM GM cam phasers did make the note in this video which I've seen people miss Both left and right bank exhaust cam phasers are the same same GM part number But I've worked on 3.6l that are still throwing codes because people don't realize when changing the intake phasers there are separate part numbers there is a left and a right intake when lining up your timing chain marks Up top on the phasers when your cams are flat as he explains in the video you have a little circle and a triangle on the phasers One way to tell if you have it right is you should have 12 links between the exhaust and intake phaser on each Bank You can think you have it right assemble the whole vehicle it will start and it will run but after it warms up in the O2 sensors kick on and starts talking to the computer and running efficiently it'll start throwing codes Because your cam phasers or not installed correctly as in you ordered a cheap eBay intake phasers I sent you two of the same model number I've seen this happen many times not realizing there's a left bank right Bank intake phaser and the vehicle will run but not right and throw codes. It's not an overly complex hard job to do Just make sure you have every correct part and it's a quality part before you attempt this job. And one last very very very very important part for the do-it-yourselfer attempting this with oil pump replacement do not immediately when completing this job fire your vehicle up these GM 3.6 l they need a minute or two of cranking to prime correctly when you're completely done with the job leave the spark plugs out and make sure on the under the hood fuse panel you pull the fuel pump fuse verified I don't even hook the fuel line up to the fuel rail so when the keys in the on position nothing is being pumped from the tank up to the motor then crank the vehicle over when the mentioned above is verified I start with 5 seconds of cranking and let the vehicle sit for about half a minute Then I'll continue cranking for 10 seconds let it sit for another half a minute all the way till I crank it till about 15 to 20 seconds just to make damn sure the new pump is primed and has sent oil all the way from the bottom of the pan up through the heads lubing up the phasers in the Cam's good in the hydraulic timing chain tensioners before finally dropping the spark plugs back in popping back in the fuel pump fuse and finally allowing the vehicle to start then you won't have any clicking or knocking noise because the vehicle's been oil primed well. I mention this comment because one of the first traverses I worked on with the stretch timing chain issue and the oil pump changed and everything was done correctly but not properly primed newly installed oil pump And the vehicle ran dry for the first couple seconds which was enough to actually score the crank bearings on this gm 3.6 engine As with all engines especially this one some are more tolerant than others quality oil and oil pressure are everything to this engine I firmly believe half the timing chain stretch issues are related to this motor because people do not do enough oil changes gunking this GM 3.6 l motor up. And piss poor GM engineering on the right Bank crankcase ventilation system on this engine. This can be a Very good quality engine as long as you keep them clean a $50 full synthetic oil change every 6 months or 5,000 miles this engine easily make it to 200k Plus trying to skip oil changes driving 10 to 20K miles between oil changes and I've seen these motors grenade before they reach the 100K mark. And the very very last note People don't realize GM had a problem with this vehicle when it's throwing codes Saying the timings off and a vehicle is not making any clicking or rattling noises ie everything is nice and tight the way it should be the earlier year GM 3.6 l I believe it was the 2007 models the pulse ring which is a gear that is pressed onto the back of the crankshaft again was only pressed on from the factory and not welded and what happens is after a period of time certain 3.6 l motors because they were not welded onto the crank but only press fit pulse ring tone gear different people call them different things is what your crankshaft position sensor on the back of the motor reads to send a signal to the computer to make sure everything's timed and firing right if you are unfortunate enough to have one of these tone rings that slips in the crankshaft no amount of timing chains and switching sensors will fix it the only thing that does it is changing the crankshaft out which the labor involved it's normally cheaper just to get a new motor. Not a common problem but one that has been documented with this 3.6 l motor. And is one of the causes of the dreaded check engine light timing is not with in tolerance code.

[@dwreed63]

@Aaron Wildman, are you referring part# 25264 for the pulley/HB tool? Thanks in advance

[@NorWis744]

I purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse new. I changed oil at 75% to 90% of the oil indicator. I used oil specified by GM. API rating, oil weight and Dexos rated. Mostly Mobile 1. I used GM oil the first couple of years, as Dexos rated oil was difficult to find. I gave my Traverse to my sister in 2022 with 180,000 miles. My sister is still driving it. Has about 200,000 miles. Original timing chains. I was careful about oil changes and followed GM’s specifications. I made sure crankcase breathing system was operating correctly and oil level was maintained. It did not consume oil. Worked out for me. YMMV.

[@neiliewheeliebin]

Very good info thanks, I'm just preparing to do a 3.2L that has 3 out of 4 timing position sensors throwing codes. I'm beginning to wonder if someone already screwed it up

[@SpeakFastGame]

Thank you 👍

[@davidsepich6176]

Though Ive done a few 3.6l chains, I by no means remember every signal mark or step. Mike is absolutely correct about service info not having a signal spot to get all the steps from. its broken down into every piece , guide and sprocket. Having a video that goes through step by step insures not missing a mark on a very labor intensive job! Great work Mike!

[@esemexican100]

I bought the cloyes kit from summit racing but I used this video to install the timing chain kit because there is a whole lot more information than the cloyes instructional video. Your video is more real world scenario in my opinion.

[@T0tenkampf]

I feel the same way

[@Burgo361]

I have been looking for a detailed video for how to do this for literally years, thank you for making it.

[@GoTechTraining]

And thank you for watching and commenting :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@oscarontiveros5117]

Agreed

[@CeeJay-pr5eg]

Mike , I just did my first timing chain job I viewed several other videos before finding yours and in those other videos they don't have what you have your a damn good instructor you explained different scenarios perfectly you have taught me a lot I can't thank you enough, im a OSHA Investigator /Safety Trainer / Instructor myself you have a good way of getting your audience attention your gonna go along way in your career Sir it has been an honor to learn from you I sincerely mean you did an awesome job.Best wishes to you and yours thanks Mike

[@goonaticx6736]

just done my 4th timing chain on one of these 3.6s, always come back to this video, very well constructed and understandable

[@dnegel9546]

My rear middle spark plug was destroyed.. does this mean that i bent a valve? Do I have to do the timing chain. Code P0300 is the only code i have. Vehicle wont run.

[@goonaticx6736]

@@dnegel9546 sounds like chain has failed catastrophically, take off the head and inspect the damage

[@LeonardSpringer-m1j]

Sir, Thankyou for taken the time to make a video as well constructed like this. I work on all my own vehicles and Ive never done a timing chain before and my 3.6l needs timing work. Long story short, I was completely terrified to attempt this job until I found your video. Thankyou you a million!!

[@turboimport95]

I have done several of these engines timing chains. If you use the special tools on all 4 cams at once, You do NOT have to rotate the engine to phase 2 etc at all. Simply install tools and remove all the timing chains at once way easier then doing this turning over the engine part, The special tools are actually cheap. They keep everything locked down and in correct position. The Camaro 3.6 timing chains can be done in the car, while on Acadia/traverse/Srx 3.0/3.6 I simply removed the engine and transmission out the bottom and did it on the ground way easier and less fighting. Using a lift of course.

[@GoTechTraining]

I agree the rear wheel drive vehicles make this job much less of a task. I will have to look into getting our shop a set of these special tools. Ryan W, Technical Instructor

[@riseandswinefarm7522]

not using the cam tools . does the flats of the cams line up perfect? mine seem to be off slightly. is this normal or do you think I have a secondary problem I need to find?

[@turboimport95]

@@riseandswinefarm7522 the tools slide onto the oblong part at the back of the cams. you can use the timing marks on the cam gears to verify correct position though. the chains have colored links that link up with the dots on the cam gears.

[@sc0tt530]

2

[@MrOctoadam]

Even with the tools you have to put engine in stage 2 timing the kit comes with 3 tools for exactly that

[@jessieandresen-tm3iw]

Just got done doing this job on a 2010 Camaro. Your video was spot on! Thank you for passing on your knowledge. My wife’s car is now running perfect.

[@angelbatista2416]

Hi Jessie. I have a question about turn the crank when oil pump marks for stage 1 to stage 2. I need only turn the crank clockwise stage 1 mark to stage 2?. Some users said and attention to 180 degree turn. Which step use the 180 degree turn? As you know, for stage 1, plug the camshaft holder tool for cyl 2-4-6 ( flat ) and turn the crank to oil pump mark 1 ( app. 5:00 oc ) and put the cahin as shown marks, for stage 2, turn the crank to oil pump mark 2 ( 09:00 oc ) and put the camshaft holder for cyl 1-3-5 ( flat ) + 2-4-6 cly holder ( app. 45 degree holder ) and put the chain. For verification test we use the both flat holder put cams left and right side. And we check the piston 1 TDC?

[@41GarageandGrill]

Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together. This has to be one of the best how to videos I've seen.

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@deanriemer1780]

Totally agree with you CHEERS

[@7KC9]

Thanks for the tutorial! My son just purchased a 2011 Traverse that has a misfire issue. We've changed plugs and coils and checked the cats, with no resolve. Our next adventure is going to be pulling the engine and doing a complete rebuild. I'm feeling a whole lot more confident about taking this job on now. 😊

[@HayabusaWorld]

Just wanna say this helped me so much, and I'm a GM dealership technician. Helped out so much more than Service Information did. Followed this and got it right the first time. So with that said, thanks so much for making this video!

[@GoTechTraining]

Hello, Thanks for the kind words. I agree, Service information is hard to follow. They split it up too much and make it impossible to use without switching screens constantly. Actually part of the reason it was decided to make this video! Glad it helped you and thanks for reaching out Ryan Wilsing

[@NoNo-iz8hd]

And you are a crooked union criminal that just towels the job.

[@mauricejackson5604]

What was the mileage on this motor

[@RicardoGutierrez-nq7xi]

It is the only video that explains steps 1 and 2.patiently. I understood the procedures of timing very easily. Thanks so much!

[@joshlindemeier2434]

Have watched over a dozen different videos on this…even a couple from the big names making the kits…this is THE BEST and most thorough video i have found…THANK YOU!!!

[@Hoserfishing]

Amazing job, appreciate how thorough and professional you are.

[@sleepyfox7671]

Amazing video! Using this to repair a Holden VZ Commodore, you've gone over a lot of things that the Australian tutorials haven't.

[@mrmcd5728]

Well Done, Thank You. No wasted verbiage, just great explanation of what to do. Now to be able to do this 1/2 blind while the engine is in the car. Glad Melling recognized your talent and provided quality parts for you.

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks for watching Mr McD! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@getreal4883]

Wait this can be done with the engine still in the car or are you being sarcastic. Just wondering because I have a 09 traverse with 170000 miles not sure but think I have a burnt valve ,ero compression on number 4

[@jacobmorse3280]

Can be done in the car 100%

[@mrmcd5728]

@@jacobmorse3280 Yes, it can be done, very tedious job, not easy and not a lot of room. I took my car fully apart, removed the timing, bought the $1,000 in parts to fix it but before starting the install I was cleaning and I put a magnet into my oil pan and came out with a Rod Bearing half. Not good, at this point I knew I needed a full overhaul. I purchased the car broken, the owner told me it needed a timing chain. He was wrong. The crankshaft was damaged. Parts and machine shop work were over $2,000, I found an engine with 34K miles on it and bought and installed it. The timing could have been done but not the full overhaul in the car. At 170K miles if you have not cleaned your valves they probably have carbon build up choking off your intake air flow. I have cleaned 2 engines now both at around 120,000 and the build up was substantial.

[@austinbishop8203]

​@@mrmcd5728how should I go about cleaning my valves?

[@leonwilson1983]

Bro this would be one of the best instructional of seen for this job i can actually understand it how you explain things and everything is displayed so clearly unlike some other videos where you cant see bugger all. keep up the good work

[@arttu5149]

Yeah, definitely one of the best to follow. Did my 2008 CTS4 LLT engine using mostly this guide, even had factory manual, but this was THE guide for me. So thank you very much!

[@justinoehlert4733]

Thank you. I couldn't find any info on timing marks to remove chains. Your video was exactly what I needed.

[@GoTechTraining]

Glad that it helped you! Hope you got your vehicle fixed! Thanks for watching! Ryan W. Technical Instructor

[@stevesinclair8329]

Really excellent video help, I do admit that the dot marks and the triangle’s were confusing me as to which ones to use to line up the chain’s, but when when I watched the entire video it became perfectly clear to me. I have always been mechanically inclined when it came to taking things apart and then putting them back together, but I haven’t changed a set of chains and an oil pump in many many many years .The oil pump was the easy part I must say. I should mention I did this with the engine in the car not out, a 2010 Camaro, with out the help of this video I wouldn’t have been able to do it. Thank you for that. I turned 65 this year and I have very limited funds ,so I end up doing almost all of my own repairs. Can’t afford the labour rates at most garage’s. Last time I had the crank replaced because of bad rod Bering it cost over $5000.00 at a GM dealer and it was never did run right after they were done, they wouldn’t give me an exact price for the work, had I known how much it was going to cost I would have picked up a new motor. Can’t trust most Garage’s. And by the way, it was just out of factory warranty by 500 Kilometres. Yes i am Canadian.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Steve, Nice Work! Glad you got it fixed! Thanks for watching ~Ryan Wilsing

[@adrianvargas9784]

So you figured out the triangles where the marks also? Lol I had the same issues when I did it ….by the way I did my 3.6 vvt with the engine still in car 💪

[@jameshodgson1280]

great job i watched the meling video first and it just left me confused they didnt give enough details. your video cleared everything up thanks great job

[@GoTechTraining]

Awesome, thank you for reaching out! ~Ryan

[@psav1520]

Hi Mike. Great video. Thanks. Recently did a 2012 Audi 2.0. I've done old American cars with a single chain before. This was a new experience for me. I wasn't sure how long it took for oil to start to lube the chains, so; I placed the chains in motor oil an let them drip off before installing. I figured that it wouldn't hurt, and maybe helped get oil into the chain links and pins. There was nothing in factory service data about this. All went fine.

[@DarrelllCampbelll]

If you unplug the crankshaft position sensor and turn it over a few times it will pre lube the engine. With the sensor unplugged there is no spark or fuel sent to the engine.

[@psav1520]

@@DarrelllCampbelll Great. Thanks.

[@michaelslee4336]

@@DarrelllCampbelll Are you aware of what “clear flood mode” is by any chance? If you don’t, it is the ability of the ECU to not fire the injectors when cranking the engine if you have WOT, obviously to start a flooded engine. Very handy after an oil change to fill the filter before it fires up. Careful, not all cars have it so try it before you need it. Also good to scare the wife when you are far away from home. 😇

[@andrewjerome6644]

This is one of the best and clear information on how to time a gm 3.6 engine

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks Andrew!!

[@МихаилСтрельников-ш4ь]

Я из России. У меня свой автосервис. Это видео очень помогло при ремонте Шевроле Камаро 2013 года LFX 3,6 л. Отмечаю высочайший уровень профессионализма и доходчивый рассказ. Огромное спасибо!

[@GoTechTraining]

Это потрясающе! Спасибо за просмотр! :) Google Translate- ~Mike

[@geryloftis7985]

By far the best video on timing change replacement on the 3.6 liter motors.

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

Mike, A+ Presentation. Your are clearly an expert who worked hard to know what you know! 👍

[@GoTechTraining]

Aww thanks Mark! Appreciate it :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@robertkeeton2149]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I've done timing chains in all kinds of things but never a 3.6 gm.........this video is extremely thorough and informative and most definitely helped me out!

[@timothypifer4836]

This is an extremely well done and informative video on performing the replacement of the timing components on the GM 3.6 engine. Thank you!

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks so much Timothy! ~Mike

[@chain173]

Done several Acadia, Traverse timing chain replacements and your video is spot on. I take off the bumper, radiator, etc and pull motor from the top. Tedious but isn't difficult.

[@dnegel9546]

My middle rear spark plug was crushed. Is my engine done? Or can i just do the timing chain?

[@kevinsnyder2298]

I appreciate all the work you put into these videos. Thanks

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks so much Kevin! ~Mike

[@swbaligac]

Thank you so much.. I followed this video as I fitted the cam chain set and glad to say she's purring like a kitten... Cheers from Melbourne down under.

[@BrandonF601]

I've tried to count on several different engines....ALWAYS lose my count. You just basically spin for about 10 minutes straight LOL...awesome video sir.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hahaha around and around the 3.6L goes, where it stops, nobody knows! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@Trebior1]

I have done a couple of these now and when removing the chains, getting moving from stage 2 timing to stage one timing. simply rotate the crank counterclockwise 120 deg to align the stage 1 timing mark. no need to rotate 500 degrees clockwise

[@Akadectra]

Thank you very much for this excellent video. Mike, you are not only a master technician but also a master teacher! Appreciate that very much. Greetings from Bavaria/Germany 👍

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hey yes job appears intimidating especially an engine needing 3 timing chains. Excellent tutorial

[@Zanoviz]

Thanks so much for taking the time to properly explain the process, I was a bit scared thinking about doing the process myself, thanks to your video I feel a bit more confident on how to properly repair the timing chains on my 3.6l Pontiac G8

[@GoTechTraining]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching Ryan W, Technical Instructor

[@adrianvargas9784]

I just want to say this to all of you guys asking if it can be done with engine in car yes it can I’m doing it now as we speak in my 2009 Chevy Malibu not hard at all Chevy told me I had to pull the whole engine out they wanted five grand ….I paid 250$ for timing chain kit ….and I’m not a seasoned mechanic I’m a at home garage mechanic but thanks to videos like this guys I’m able to learn how to repair my own vehicles at home 💪 THANK YOU FOR THIS MY FREIND

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Adrian, Thanks for the kind words! Good luck on the repair! ~Ryan Wilsing

[@rey374]

bro im finna do my cts 2010

[@arnoldwilliamson8461]

Very excellent video out of all of my watch. This is the only one that is complete. And a great thanks to the guy who did the Presentation. Very professional.

[@worsttintentions]

You gotta give it gm. The 3.6 with the timing chains and the 2.4 with oil consumption, vvt, timing chains?, And water pumps. What an incredible decade for techs.

[@GoTechTraining]

What a time to be alive Bobby! I bet warranty repair time on these engines is HORRIBLE though. Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@pmscalisi]

The water pump thing is been going on since the 70’s. Some people never learn….☺️

[@Paul-vn5mi]

As a tech, the 3.6L is an absolute nightmare every time. No one likes doing them here.

[@tigeroftheeye7121]

@@GoTechTraining When I worked heavy line for Ford in the early 90s, the engineers told us that all labor times for warranty repairs were set with technicians in Detroit using hand tools. What a load of crap!

[@tigeroftheeye7121]

Almost all of the 5.0 engines we would pull apart would have every ring Gap lined up perfect in a row. I used to say that they need to hire a monkey on meth to spend the piston rings before they slide them in the cylinder. Would have been much better. LOL They also horrendous piston slap when cold. They would usually have .009 to .010 piston to cylinder wall clearance from the factory. Instead of making a better product, they just lowered the warranty from 6-year 60,000 mi to 5 year 50,000 MI. They should have just fixed it right on the assembly line.

[@johnharrop5530]

Thanks Heaps I'm going to do it ,I had an accident and broke my back and now I'm an incomplete paraplegic it's been since early 2013 and now I'm back at work doing registration checks for cars as they have to pass every year to be on the road, I've never done a timming chain in these an you have given me great conference on doing this job as my young bloke has just bought his first car and it needs this done , I can follow your instructions easley ,awsome video, Thanks for Australia

[@TomAce5856]

Very pro how to video. Everything explained crystal clear step by step. Always appreciate guys like you putting out such useful content.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hi Anthony, Thanks for checking out the video! Glad you enjoyed it! ~Ryan Wilsing

[@SKANK_HUNT49]

​@@GoTechTrainingis there any kind of snake oil that will make this last a little longer

[@Calico_on_pawz131]

Thank you Mike. Even at the factory level those engineers have nothing over you.

[@axlejohnson9156]

Well done. Very accurate and intuitive video. If a person has the time and the tools. There should be no reason to mess this up.

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks a ton Axle Johnson! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@jodupont86]

Very good tutorial. My 1st ever time doing a chain job and everything is perfect. Very good teacher.

[@shaneheath4372]

Great video! You did an awesome job buddy! Extremely thorough on your descriptions including part names, placements, order/run sequence and especially the step by step in depth direction. Would be very easy for someone with little to no experience to use as a guide as I found out first hand just how easy it would be.id most definitely recommend this video to newbie mechanics and also old timers if they are needing some guidance or know how. Subscribe to this man and help him make more videos for folks like you and I. ( One recommendation I'd like to make to the gentleman responsible for creating the video would be to use a more visible color to mark out the timing marks and set position. I know it's probably very visible in person but for us watching the video the yellow is very hard to recognize. I've found white to work rather good from start to finish.)

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Shane, Thanks for the kind words and supporting our channel! We will definitely give white a shot next time and see how it turns out! ~Ryan Wilsing

[@afterthoughtsgarage320]

This has got to be the best video hands down! It just made me $700 😅 friends and family discount.

[@jeremyb4493]

Seems like a great engine on paper and when it works, but a few local shops hate them because of the chain issues. I still have a Chevrolet Uplander with the 3.9 and 240,000 miles, no oil burning and it's been a great engine so far, but it regularly likes to develop small oil leaks like a BMW which is annoying lol

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Jeremy, I don't think the 3.6L would be so bad if people would have just changed oil on them! Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@jeremyb4493]

@@GoTechTraining I've read that too and hopefully it's true, but unless it had super low miles with warranty or someone has regular oil change interval proof from the beginning, I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable buying one secondhand.

[@GoTechTraining]

Yeh, I feel you on that one. I was not "impressed" when I opened up this used one. She wasn't pretty inside. Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@chevytony122540]

3.9 will out last a 3.6 even with staying up with maintenance

[@mikeelek9713]

This video was excellent with plenty of explanation and little tricks like tapping of the socket wrench to slightly move the sprocket wheels. Using a yellow market to assist with alignment also is a great idea.

[@johnhnetkovsky8917]

I've done a gazzilion of these of these. G.M. wants you to bring it to Stage 1 then disassemble,that way when you put left side chain on and secondary you only have to rotate crank from 5 o'clock mark to 8 o'clock, a few degrees. That is an interference engine you do not want to rotate crank 360 with cams out of phase

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey John, thanks for watching! That makes sense. I maybe missed that part in the riduculously hard to interpret procedure. Fortunately, nothing bad seems to occour if you do bring it around over 360°. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@johnhnetkovsky8917]

@@GoTechTraining @GoTech That is good that you did not bend any valves,had lots towed into the shop where the cams came out of phase and bent lots of valves! Would not make a habit of it usually a death sentence for these older vehicles haha. John Hnetkovsky Senior Mastertech CMAT Dralle Chevrolet/Buick

[@gerardharvey1646]

Mike's way of disconnecting the right bank, then turning the left with the crank works too, but for sure you have to make notes and not get confused.

[@samuelhernandez3902]

@@johnhnetkovsky8917 why didn't he put a gasket on the i

[@samuelhernandez3902]

Oil pump , excuse me I tap on that sent by typ o

[@wyattpeterson633]

Great video! The detail helps so much, was pretty overwhelmed before finding this video.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Wyatt, thanks man! Glad the video helped :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@Javelin3o4]

I will most likely never do this job but watched it all anyways.

[@GoTechTraining]

Well thank you very much! I appreaciate that Javelin3o4! Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@aleshacantrell2134]

Awesome video!! I'm scrapping my malibu after watching this🙃

[@jayj6902]

@@aleshacantrell2134 I said that too and now my car is halfway apart

[@paulthompson7280]

Glad you mentioned to Replace oil Pump as most people I've done that job for don't think it is necessary then I have a argument over it I wouldn't do the job if it wasn't Replaced, oh yea and Replace Water Pump..

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Paul, thanks for watching! Sure, the waterpump could/should be replaced right away too. Why not, you're already there :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@beastmonkey17]

Just wondering why did he not have to turn crank 360 deg. to get into Phase 2 timing?

[@spoonstein1]

And people wonder why some repairs cost so much, it's a tough job and you was great 👍

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@scuba422123]

nice work mike! you make look easy melling is a good aftermarket i would use those old chains had some wear! remember the quad 4 those chains never had a problem i had left the dealer in 09 so i missed the fun.... im independent now but havent done one yet

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Scuba, thanks for watching! Yeh, the Melling stuff seems good. Not a bad job overall if you end up with one. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@ryanhopkins2249]

Watched the video step by step and i love it, thank you so much for this video, you deserve a raise and God bless you !!!

[@deewayne757]

Is there a o-ring that goes between the oil pump & the block ? I noticed a recessed area on the oil pump where it looks like an o-ring should go.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Dwayne, no there is no o-ring between there. I was a little shocked by that when I put it in! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@stephensmith3018]

this video has really helped me get my daughters Saturn Outlook back on the road! Well done, easy to understand, very informative. THANKS!!

[@leekennedy2841]

Did you have to prime the oil pump?

[@jamesanderson4014]

Tight tolerance job. I would lubricate all guides with assembly lube and oil against the chains. Done a 2.7L with 3 chains. Is a little easy to time but you have to pull the four camshafts out. 2.7L engine stays in the vehicle. Really great job. Just a DIY guy. 2.7L are one and done. Great job. Thanks for the video.

[@mky9227]

With the oil pump, do you have to prime it??

[@nathangibson8669]

Hi Guys, great video thanks, I've read this elsewhere "Once assembled, the timing chain tensioners need to be fully released to maintain adequate tension. Simply pulling the pins is not enough. All tensioners must be pressed in by hand for the internal mechanism to fully pop out and operate effectively". Should this have to happen? Cheers Gibbo

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Gibbo, thanks for watching! Interesting, I haven't heard that. There's nothing in the procedure about it. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@tommdauenhauer3860]

@@GoTechTraining Hi Mike, Great video. Haynes online shows using a flathead screwdriver to twist the tensioner spring up into the tube and it locks. You can leave it there and hit it with the guide and it will pop out, like with the Primary Chain Tensioner - it doesn't have a hole for a lock pin, but the others do and you can put a paper clip in the hole and pull it when the chain looks correct on the marks. I "retimed" a 2012 Traverse 3.6 with old chains to see if I could get the engine to pass a leak down test and while following your video, I found that the Primary Chain had jumped/stretched a tooth. Things got happy once the chains were in time and the leak test was good. Then, knowing the internals were mostly OK, I purchased a new chain set including Phasers, Oil Pump, Water Pump, Thermostat, etc... and she's very happy. Not bad for a $400 dead Traverse and a lot of labor from a 74 year old enthusiast mechanic. Enjoying the ride now. Thanks!

[@ericcumming5906]

Thanks for breaking down what could be an overwhelming project!

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Eric, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@ericcumming5906]

Hello Mike, a couple of questions. I have a 2008 Cadillac SRX with the 3.6 V6--I assume this is the same engine? Have you ever done this timing chain swap with the engine IN the vehicle? I plan to remove/replace the radiator and water pump anyway, so I assume access would be okay? Or would it make sense to remove the front bumper cover/grille, as well? Looks like a job that you need good access for.

[@luisdominguez-gx8zj]

Awesome video with lots if information. Will this apply to a 2010 camaro LT?

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Luis, thanks for watching! Yeh, I believe the 3.6L in the Camaro has the same set up. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@arthurrodesiler3109]

When you are done with the timing chains to seat them and to check your timing marks again is easy. Am giving one of my secrets out but am sure other people with mechanical knowledge would no this. Mechanical knowledge is a god given gift. God gives everybody some sort of a gift. You turn the engine over clockwise 4 turns over then counter clockwise 4 turns with a tad more then go clockwise slow and your timing marks should line up if done right. You should oil the timing chain with a oil can as you rotate the engine clockwise the first time to lube the chains. After that I put it all back together the timing chain cover with just a few bolts without sealant but just lay the valve covers on with a few bolts to...be sure to put the oil filter cover back on with the water hose on and torque the oil filter housing....Pull out fuse so it cannot start and the fuel pump fuse and leave the spark plugs out. Put the damper back on to make sure the gear wont walk out. Just snug it up as you have to take it off again to seal the timing cover back on. Crank the engine over to fill the oil pump and the timing chains tensioners to fill up and also the oil filter housing to make sure you have no leaks were the oil filter housing does not leak at the block. Take the valve cover back off and the damper and chain off and check to make sure the timing chain tensioners are tight from oil. If you don't and one of those are bad you are going to take it all apart aging to fix it and maybe more. Check timing chains marks to make sure it did not skip a tooth. You should have one of the chains yellow mark you put it on and check it to the cam phase timing marks. You should have 10 links between the two or 12 from timing mark on phaser to the timing chains at TDC. Check both sides and if in this way you know everything is right. I have seen bad timing chain tensioners before. Then you have to take it all apart again and do the job again and mess with that timing chain silicone sealant. You should replace the phaser since you are into it. And you should really replace the oil filter housing which also is a engine cooler also. They love to leak oil or coolant making a mess. You will not make the time they give you on this job but better than doing it twice and if things go sideways you could bend valves in the head also. New plugs and belt while you are there and maybe a water pump if it has miles on it. You should really do these things since you have it apart. All you are doing is replacing parts that will need it if you plan on keeping it. There should be no labor as you have these thing apart anyhow. If you are doing it yourself you my as well do it right. I still hate this engine when it needs to be fixed.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Arthur, Thanks for watching and sharing your methods when doing timing chains! ~Ryan

[@PhillyDee215]

Make all engines pushrod again😉

[@GoTechTraining]

Let me correct that Philly, Make all GM engine pushrod again. They excell at it. Many other brands do pretty well with DOHC motors. Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@PhillyDee215]

@@GoTechTraining agreed😉

[@pmscalisi]

Really!!! 🙂

[@PhillyDee215]

@@pmscalisi yes sir😏

[@andrewstribling9330]

great video, just got a 3.6 and the timing was already torn apart for heads, it shall be interesting to get it back in time, im sure with this video i should be able to get it all back in time! very well presented! this is no easy timing set up by all means.

[@PaulysAuto]

Excellent video as always Mike. Thanks for making a detailed video for this job. It's really how confusing it is in SI that gets um 😉

[@evelynvail124]

How long does it take to change a timer

[@ezequielmartinez3455]

Thanks for taking your time explaining the process of this puzzle

[@Knackersjewels]

The whole job can be done from stage 2 timing position. Just set stage 2 as shown here, then remove all chains, and replace. the cams and crank won't be moved, so it can't be incorrect.

[@user-dz2jd2pz1g]

hey mate have u done it in stage 2

[@Knackersjewels]

@@user-dz2jd2pz1g yeah, it's how I do all of mine. Never had an issue.

[@Darrylmc63]

@@Knackersjewels do you have any instructions...we did ours but ended up with a rattle from RH side when we started car...stripped down again and the chain tensioner is not working properly

[@Knackersjewels]

@@Darrylmc63 did you use an aftermarket kit, or a genuine GM one? I've had a few customer supplied aftermarket kits where the tensioners are DOA

[@Darrylmc63]

@@Knackersjewels aftermarket one unfortunately

[@bryanspier]

I feel this may be my issue on my Buick. The engine light is not on but rpm’s seem to hop a little and car kind of chugs at highway speeds and in town. This is a great video for learning about the engine.

[@waiting4aliens]

At 6.50 are the flats of the camshafts showing unusual wear? What is the service life of these chain sets in your experience? Any idea of the mileage of the donor engine? I enjoy your quiet competence and through presentation. I am able to transfer these attitudes displayed to dissimilar projects. Thanks for another good video.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Xombi Xombi, thanks for watching! I'm not sure on wear on the flats, but the cams were very dirty. This used engine didn't have the best oil change intervals I don't think. That used motor had about 120K on it with original chains. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@vulture710]

Great video man. I have one im doing right now and the rear bank lost its chain. Thanks to your video and being so in depth with it, i was able to work backwards and make sure my crank was in correct position to get the timing in with out having to guess and spin the motor over a hundred times to verify correct timing

[@GoTechTraining]

Hi Billy, Glad you like the video and it helped you on a repair! Thanks for reaching out! ~Ryan Wilsing

[@KANDiagnostics]

When it Lost it's chain Did it warp any valves or do any head damage

[@rp5029]

great detailed information as always. thanks Mike.

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks for watching RP 502! Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@16Tango]

I am getting ready to do this on my 2011 SAAB 9-5 with the 2.8l version of this motor. Thanks for the excellent walkthrough. I was going to take it to a shop but it actually doesn't look to be that bad of a job, once the motor is out of the car.

[@tonyq4358]

Doing the same thing on my 09 Aero. Working up the nerve, it looks like you don't need to rotate to phase 2 if you have both tools lined up.

[@jojonels]

alright mike, just wanna say a job well done, it's always stress releasing when seeing someone doing a job both graciously and logically. though i'm more of a motorcycle mechanic, but i still learn a lot from your videos. out of curiosity, maybe it's my ocd kicking in, but is there a reason that loctite was not applied on the secondary sprocket and chain tensioner guide, or even the tensioner mounting bolt? i tend to put loctite on the moving parts mounting bolts, cos i've seen those bolts came off, and it wasn't pretty. cheers, fan from Taiwan Nels

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Nels, thanks for watching! So, if the bolts had loctite from the factory, I would have put it on there. But, they did not, so I simply torque them to spec and trust that the service information is correct :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@MikeForeman-qy4em]

Mine was a P0008 on a Camaro I changed the timing chains and tensioners that's $539.00 job for the acdelco timing kit plus a tube of acdelco engine sealant, bought from the dealership parts department. a jug of coolant $15, and a full synthetic oil change $25 5qt jugs at Walmart $38 with the filter. I did just have to grab a felpro timing cover gasket set $39.99 for the water outlet gasket and oring which wasn't included local car parts store. Water pump wasn't leaking into the weep hole left it alone $631.99 in parts. tools to do that job are 10-19mm ten piece ratchet set $15, one parts puller $20, one 3/8 torque wrench $20 harbor freight. I did use one large adjustable wrench to hold the harmonic balancer in place while I broke the 19mm bolt loose.

[@emmettthompson3332]

Well, if someone brings one of those over, they will not be happy when I say I'm not going to attack that without the engine being pulled. I can't imagine attempting that job in the vehicle.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Emmett, thanks for watching! I couldn't imagine doing that job in the car. There's such little clearance. Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@throttlebottle5906]

not worth the parts an labor cost anyway ;) best bets is slam a whole reman engine in or get a different vehicle, unless you're a mechanic and can handle everything yourself! planned obsolescence, Billary Clinton and Obama following the "save the planet green noise".. yes because saving the planet with green junk reduces end pollution slightly whilst producing massive volumes more of waste and energy usage from massive amounts of production, handling and waste. why cannot anyone see the big picture? especially the government sheeple, which need flushed out hard

[@roscopsoultrain5875]

Doing this for the second time in the vehicle right now. It iss not fun at all. I tried to get a shop to do it this time and no one would even touch it.

[@jonathanham5598]

@@roscopsoultrain5875 i know how you feel. With my limited knowledge, it took 5 hours just to get the valve covers off and another 5 to get the engine cover off. Good luck!

[@michaelvance9412]

Thank you for this clear and professional video. I changed my chains on my 2008 didn't

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Michael, thanks for watching! Glad it helped. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@armandoceballos8098]

Great video, really appreciate the details. Quick question what type of markers did you use to mark the timing.

[@Turshin]

Looks like paint markers

[@kingdotsize86]

in case you were wondering 1 484 392 rotations to line the marks up to the gears

[@Spiritusanto16]

Great video and demonstration Mike! Do I have to replace chains if I rebuild one head because a bent valve?

[@Spiritusanto16]

@Lecrima Nevelke Thanks

[@shanebryan8151]

I want to say thank you for this video it should help me a lot on reassembling or doing this engine that I've got I hired a mechanic that screwed it up and I was a waste of money having him do it I shouldn't I knew I should have done it on my own but thanks to you I will go ahead and do it on my own I just got my fingers crossed that we didn't punch a hole in the piston so next week I ordered head gasket kit the timing tools that you recommended and then I went ahead and ordered a new oil pump so hopefully next weekend I will be busy putting this thing tearing it apart and putting it back together hopefully with your video I will be able to put the thing back together correctly although I will say that I'm going to be doing it with the engine in the engine bay as I don't have the equipment to pull the front clip out so to speak so wish me luck God willing I will do the job right the first time and it will run just fine.

[@juergenscholl2843]

Thank you once more Mike. So this is a non-interference engine? Apparently you turned the crank more than one revolution to put it into stage one position with the right side secondary chain off,

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Juergen, that's a good point. I didn't even think about that. Hmmm...I have heard of these engines bending valves though. Insteresting. Mike Becker, Senior Insturctor

[@jccarnut]

This is a interference engine and has very small valve stems, they will bend with minimal force. This is why the phasers only have 12° of ± variance. the later years only have one set point. There is a set tool "key" guide for the back of the camshafts. This is a A level tech job.

[@samuelhernandez3902]

@Dev JB so what does he do now

[@kiaragarth8591]

@@GoTechTraining are the timing chains on a 3 litre V6 the same as a 3.6 litre

[@Ender_Wiggin03]

@@kiaragarth8591 LF1, yes.

[@3dauto]

Thank you for this video. Much more descriptive than Pro-demand and All-data

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks for watching! Yeh, I wasn't thrilled about the way Alldata and GM lay it out. its super confusing for sure. ~Mike

[@roadking01234]

Awesome presentation with a lot of patience. Thank you so much. Cheers.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Cadir, thanks for watching! It's funny, I actually don't have much patience. Glad the video makes it seem that way though :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@KristianSartin]

Never thought I'd be doing this but here I am now.

[@prevost8686]

To think that GM canceled the 3800 for that abomination.

[@GoTechTraining]

Ohhhh Wayne, I miss the 3.8L. I owned many of them! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@papabeargarage]

That's why I am keeping my Dodge minivan with the 3.8 and avoiding the 3.6 I am guessing that Chrysler and GM engines are a different version of the same engine concept?

[@darrollcubit3870]

The first series 3800s were an abomination, as a master auto tech 46 years experience, Gm has made garbage than any 5 car companies combined

[@darrollcubit3870]

This guy is nuts I would never put an oil pump on an engine without priming it with Vaseline

[@andybehe9091]

Wow, this was a really infomrative video. I've seen several of these timing chain videos and have learned from each but this video has the greateset level of detail, plus the oil pump replacement makes me feel more comfortable about tackling that as well. Can't wait to get started. Thank you very much for the video!

[@GoTechTraining]

Woah Andy thanks so much, what a compliment! Thanks for watching and good luck with the job! ~Mike

[@rcwrecker78]

If it matters to anyone, to reinstall the harmonic balancer without that special binding tool I used a rubber mallet and tapped the balancer just far enough to get the balance bolt to catch. Once it caught I sloooooowly started to tighten the balancer bolt. It drew in the balancer in until the engine started to turn, at that point I got a HD strap tied it to one of the balancer spokes then wrapped the strap around the balancer like a top. Once you get it tied just find a good anchor point and start your tightening process for the balancer. It worked like a charm for me. Ain’t no way I was buying a one time $100 tool.

[@GoTechTraining]

Great tip Rcwrecker78, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@lman2677]

should have taken a video. I'd love to see it

[@mikes9939]

I have a Honda with a V 6 and it uses an old fashioned timing belt. It is way easier to change than this mess and apparently more reliable. I can easily change the water pump at the same time for very cheap. The belts last at least 115,000 miles and there is just one of them. There are also no plastic guides to worry about since the belt runs outside of the crankcase behind a simple plastic cover. I feel that it is a much better idea even though it is a belt and has to be changed at very long intervals. Belts are quieter and isolate the valve gear from the harmonics of the rotating assembly. Smoother engine.

[@garmin1488]

The idea is that the chains never need to be replaced, unfortunately these engines use so much oil that they go dry at some point causing the chains to stretch.

[@JuanPerez-dr9to]

Thank you for the time for explanation of the time belt position and installation procedure, best video washing about timing 👌 Thank you so much for your time, and God bless you.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hi Juan, Thank you for watching. Ryan W Technical Instructor

[@MikeForeman-qy4em]

Thanks for the vid this was helpful but I was using the factory vvt actuators sprockets. Triangle right bank, and circle left bank. Also used the acdelco kit which is the same yellow and pink links. It appears the reason the right bank is dirtier is because you dump oil into and fill the left bank cylinder head

[@jd5179]

Most detailed in youtube. Thnx a bunch

[@tomislavzivkovic7106]

Wooow....over here in aus everybody hates these motors because of stretched chains....even tough on my car which is 04 year i have double row chain....and after 07 they changed the chains...but yeah....i been looking for a video like this for 3 or 4 years now...and wanna say thank you..... Also here the motor comes in 2 guises....mine is the high output with intake and exhaust cam time...where other lower output motors of same type have just intake side VCT.... THANKS AGAIN