VE COMMODORE TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT (Part 1)

This VE Commodore SV6 with a 3.6L Alloytec engine has the dreaded timing chain stretch. In part 1 of this video series i will be diagnosing the codes and disassembling the top half of the engine to have a look at the cam shaft timing marks.

[@bawagonwheels01]

This is an excellent and comprehensive video of how to fix the stretched timing chain. Done my VE myself years ago. At the time Holden wanted $6000 to do the job. I got it done myself for $1200 for parts and tools. Good job!!!

[@yeahmate6729]

Do you remember how much you spent on tools?

[@bawagonwheels01]

@@yeahmate6729 In my case I needed the following special tools: cam locking tool, crank bolt adaptor, flywheel locking tool, and tensioner setting tool and pulley remover. At least $200 worth of tools if I haven't forgotten anything else, its been a while.

[@nzmarco]

@@bawagonwheels01 Your local mechanic would have done if for far less than Holden dealership.

[@Smart_select_auto]

We’ll done brother, it’s very uncommon to see a brother mechanic post up like this with such composure, accurate and easy step by step guide. If your in Australia I’d love to catch up with you. You got me subscribed man. Good work

[@MeaHeaR]

yes it so strange see a foreigners work on aussie icon car

[@warmgunwarmgun3025]

Excellent,accurate vid man, will help so many people.

[@stevo3644]

Very informative and easy to follow techniques. Well done 👍

[@DJAakaAnsell]

WTH such a casual bloody mechanical GENIUS....Thank you man.

[@markusslesmale2819]

@Mufudzi Gambiza - What can I say but "BLOODY AWESOME MATE" I thank you for your wonderful videos to help as many as you can, this has helped me immensely, I'm your friend for life mate.

[@richardtester2859]

I wish all videos were like this. Five stars champ!

[@benhuntly2549]

Thanks man, saved me alot of headaches with the little tricks you show

[@Willsy-]

Brilliant vids brother!!!! Will be doing mine this week!! 👍

[@FPSRelic]

As always, love your work!

[@campcreekhill8933]

Thanks for the such detailed vid! A lot of others are all time lapse no explanation..... excellent

[@THXn11]

Good on you mate. Extremely helpful vid. Much appreciated ;)

[@peterwolfe2205]

Good video mate. I like the details

[@JohnSmith-wb6kq]

Good vid bro, thanks for amking the whole series 🙂

[@Sztupi100]

Very helpful, thanks mate!

[@andrewkilner6195]

Cant thank you enough for the awesome content Mufudzi Gambiza Really saved my ass with the crank pulley removal / re-fitment I could not find any info on refitting this online as i thought it needed to be timed and my timing marks came off on removal But it doesn't seem to be the case got it back together and works perfectly Was doing the oil pick-up in the pan which i would recommend you look into but its an ass of a job but it can clog then you loose pressure Just don't do what i did and take ALL THE BOLTS OUT otherwise you brake the sump completely in 2 but some JB-Weld and patience and its back together and seems to be oil tight, should be ok as there is no pressure in it its just a holding tank ;-) Hope to see some new vids when you can

[@StiLLJ]

Your a legend mate 🤘 gonna be following this tutorial step by step soon as my chain kit arrives! Cheers bro 💯🙌

[@ayeshak90]

How did you go? I got a timing chain problem as well and I live very remotely, so Im thinking of doing it at home but worried about the labour behind it...

[@StiLLJ]

@@ayeshak90 I ordered the kit & the camshaft tools but then someone offered a swap for the car as is so I didn't end up doing the timing chain thankfully 🤣🤣 I think this video is a great guide to go by though & as long as you have the parts & tools available then you should have no problem at all. All the best with it mate 💪

[@ayeshak90]

Ahaha 😅 damn it, where did you order from? I got scared half way through this video, I knew it was a big job but I got overwhelmed quick lol

[@StiLLJ]

@@ayeshak90 it is definitely overwhelming but you can do it! And in saying that, the learning process along the way is reward in itself ontop of having your car back on the road. 💪 here is the link for the kit I ordered, it was great quality, quick delivery for a good price >> www.ebay.com.au/itm/153111867586 The place I got the camshaft tools is out of stock unfortunately.

[@BerettaTV]

Thanks for posting mate

[@AdayinthelifeofIvan]

Great videos mate, thank you

[@millionchaser975]

Bro, you've earned a new sub..

[@kingwudz9308]

hey mate love the video, had mine replaced at the holden shop but afterwards i am getting this horrible sound coming from the engine, it sounds like a stick hitting a spoke on a push bike, speeds up when you rev the car more car drives fine and no errors

[@stevenlane729]

Good video, thank you

[@samperras]

Thank you

[@Aufknfalcon]

i already know this video is gonna save me quite a bit of headache

[@glensargent431]

Big job

[@OffGridInvestor]

HOLY SMOKE. And I used to complain about working on fords. And I thought the chrysler PT cruiser had it hard for doing the timing belt....

[@yingyangorca4124]

Dude, very impressive and very motivational. Are a mechanic or is this all self taught? Either way thank you for being so forthcoming. Very very helpful.

[@closertothetruth9209]

I wonder if better than oem kits exist like upgraded components, since these engines are notorious

[@poogzie]

Hi great vid, can i ask what the cost was for the parts and are they holden parts i have a 2009 ve commodore code came up p0008 yesterday car still runs fine any advise would be apriciated.

[@user-st2ys3yn3v]

Thanks Muf, awesome video, very informative. Where are you based these days?

[@aaronobrien6122]

great job brother one thing if i where you fit a breather filter on top of the engine valve i did that gold colour both side let that worse side breath this the reason it has timing chain suffer eveyone do this

[@millionchaser975]

I bought a VZ 2006 Ute and am quite sure it got a stretched timing chain. Loss of power and check engine light. But the buyer told me it needs a service and spark plugs changed.

[@MufudziGambiza]

It's quite possible it is stretched. Have you checked what codes it may be throwing? Just in case it's not the chains.

[@brantwinter]

Where did you get the cam alignment tools

[@stevethedonful]

Do you work at subway? Cause you just got yourself a sub...

[@nathanharris2541]

Hi mate. How did you crack the bolt on the harmonic balancer on this engine? Did you just put the cam locking tools on and then use the breaker bar or did you put in gear with handbrake on? Am doing this job shortly and not sure if the rattle gun I have is going to be strong enough to crack it. Cheers

[@MufudziGambiza]

Hi i put the car is gear and used a breaker bar with a jack handle to get more leverage.

[@1mach28914u1]

Does anyone know if the fault codes have been reset on a ve commodore, can you access history of faults? Will any obd2 readers show the history of faults? Thanks

[@clintbindley702]

Hey mate did all your timing marks line up before removing the chains? Or did you move cams once chains were off?, Awesome videos by the way

[@MufudziGambiza]

Marks did not line up. You have to move cans into position then install cam holding tool before removing chains.

[@clintbindley702]

@@MufudziGambiza cheers bro got all my chains off and cams locked in, had chains done 8 months ago but the fuckwit didn't tighten up one of the sprocket bolts and it came loose hit the front cover and snapped, the front cover was holding the sprocket in place I'm lucky I didn't be d valves

[@clintbindley702]

Hey mate did you use new sprockets or old ones? Where did you get you timing chain kit from?

[@robertnabajero7830]

Looking forward to going this to my 2007 sv6 . It's had it's latest service yesterday ODO @ 112,000 kms what bullshit OEM parts if I was going to buy replacement kit from ebbets holden NZ they want 1300nz for the same shit chains. And the cam lock tool is $99 in New Zealand and $10 approx from mace . What the hell.

[@joshpevitt9105]

Does this apply to the VZ LY7 too same way and procedure like you just did

[@MufudziGambiza]

Yes it does.

[@lachlancashion3200]

where did you buy the kit from?

[@owenscanlan7096]

What’s gadget are u using for diagnostic

[@wiseone8749]

Hey bro I'm in New Zealand it's hard looking fr parts here is there a australian company I can order the timing chain kit set from? Fr the 07 holden commodore gtr

[@mickkimmings6186]

That's it baby I'm gunna do it And your gunna show me

[@johnmatsacos4692]

Thanks for awesome set of vids on this chain issue , it's my turn now 😰 I've heard that there is is much stronger kit available for the USA compared to the genuine Holden one . Is the genuine one ok if it's properly maintained?

[@MrMadhousedave]

John Matsacos I’m told they replacement kit is a bad as the original kit. I think it’s a design fault. A mate replaced his damaged engine and only a 12 month stint later after $5000 work from Holden Tamworth and is having the same issues as before the engine change, he serviced regular with Holden and ran it to warm ever day before driving, he used all the good oil’s according Holden Tamworth and treated it like a baby with all the best money and care. And the engine is having the same issues and Holden want no part of his problems. It’s absolute rubbish and that’s from a Holden threw and threw guy. He’s buying a Toyota next he’s done with Holden and he’s glad they are not in Australia anymore. Unimpressed

[@ianmoone2359]

Typically how many kms before the timing chain stretched enough to throw a code? I’ve done 137k so far and no code yet.

[@MufudziGambiza]

They are all different depends on how the car is used/maintained my other VE has not stretched and it's now got 245000km on the original chain.

[@ianmoone2359]

Mufudzi Gambiza Does the owners service manual specify at what kms the timing chain should be replaced under Holden servicing schedule?

[@bradenhue6066]

@@ianmoone2359 never

[@GoldCoast85]

Are you in Gold Coast?

[@aussieheath1429]

what app is that your using?

[@MufudziGambiza]

The app is called torque

[@sindromerecords6667]

From vid 1 to 3 ..start to finish .. how long did this take?

[@MufudziGambiza]

I did it over two days on the weekend. Took me longer because I was filming. Probably could have done it in a day and a half.

[@AVVIELMA]

Do you have to drain the oil first?

[@MufudziGambiza]

No need to drain the oil.

[@OffGridInvestor]

When I saw how much it took just to get the coils off, I suddenly realised how hard it is to JUST change the SPARK PLUGS....

[@offchops6722]

Takes about an hour not that bad

[@justinlangley9522]

Really isn't too difficult. Probably be able to replace coils and plugs In 30mins tops

[@teekaywarrior8830]

Are you in Penrith?...lol

[@darrenm1667]

Hey can you give me the link where you check code

[@ambienceanytime6983]

Where’s the timing chain sensor on VE’s my chain is slightly stretched and is keeping the damn check engine light on, I want to disable it the car is mechanical sound otherwise was at the mechanics yesterday

[@MufudziGambiza]

You cannot disable the check engine light if timing is slightly out. As the ECU is always monitoring two cam sensors in relation to the crank sensor to determine position of the engine stroke. By disconnecting or disaing the sensors you will also disable spark and fuel pump as ECU needs to see signal from the sensors to keep car running

[@ambienceanytime6983]

@@MufudziGambiza damn so no way to remove the check engine light? I’m trying to sell the car and there’s no way someone will touch it if that’s on that’s all, other than that it’s mechanically fine hey, no issues under 190,000 ks just unfortunately this light keeps coming on

[@MufudziGambiza]

@@ambienceanytime6983 you can clear the code but it will come back after a set amount of runtime. Best bet is to just let potential buyer know. But probably safer to replace chain as it will most likely let go at any time now that it is stretched.

[@wubman535meme7]

@@ambienceanytime6983are you silly in the head or something?

[@davidbell1676]

5 grand is the quote ive had for this chain swap.. better off with a falcon with the ecotec gold chain swap..

[@OpinionStatedAsFact]

That's a rip off. Most places are doing it for around 1200 these days - prior to that you could get it done for 950. Even 10 years ago you were looking at about 3k, but never 5k. They probably didn't want the job.

[@danielmansoury2446]

what app is it to diagnose that issue? please if anyone knows let me know.

[@MufudziGambiza]

App is called torque you also need a obd2 Bluetooth dongle to plug into thr car.

[@wills3zr422]

Are U in lismore?? Could I get a quote on doing my chains and oil pump??

[@MufudziGambiza]

hey mate, yes im in lismore, im not actually a mechanic but i can give you a hand if you want.

[@wills3zr422]

@@MufudziGambiza I'll send U a friend request on fb

[@adrianblong2751]

@@MufudziGambiza LOL feel like coming over to Mur'bar today?

[@jonasgrumby1093]

Here in the USA we say screw you, your on your own

[@kingsick96]

@@MufudziGambiza legend

[@tylercashmore8427]

Most videos don't go this in depth Although I'm just watching to see how it all goes together so I can cam mine lmao

[@robertnabajero7830]

How did it go mate . Just took my ve In yesterday for service . Been throwing fault light for couple of weeks . I'm doing mine in couple of weeks . Have been on blower to Mace Engineering for their kit . Lower intake manifold gaskets. .

[@PUNCHARD800ftlb]

some nice brown water been leakin there

[@michaelcarydakis790]

thanks were do you live now days nsw

[@MufudziGambiza]

Yes NSW Lismore

[@mrpcrepairs]

Does this apply to the ve omega please

[@MufudziGambiza]

Yes it does. They are the same engine

[@mrpcrepairs]

@@MufudziGambiza thank you very much for answering you are awesome

[@michaelcarydakis790]

hi Mufudzi i in frankston can you do my timing chain how do i contact you bro

[@MufudziGambiza]

Sorry man don't live in Victoria anymore otherwise I'd do it.

[@specialized29er86]

Can we purchase a better quality chain so not to repeat the job again in 100,000 ks.

[@clintbindley702]

Oil changes every 5000 ks and don't flog fuck out of it and they should last as long as you have the car

[@helenellsworth9556]

Unfortunately, people declear that the VE is the better than the last VZ 07 commodore, lol at 200,000 the VE throws their timing chains, the VZ don't. Especially the 07, the last and best of the VZ Holden

[@aziwazzi3352]

??? Its the same motor

[@andysaunders3708]

Gimme the old push-rod engine any day, sorry. They had a reasonable amount of grunt and driveability. The 3.6 is nobody's friend. Bit like the Chrysler 4.7 OHC V8. Great while they're running. Especially the High Output version. Best part of $8K went they aren't healthy, and they'll deffo stop...

[@trevorward1690]

Hey great vid . But these engines are just rubbish a sludge factory.