VE COMMODORE TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT (Part 3 Final)

This is the final instalment in the 3 part series on replacing a stretched timing chain in a VE Commodore SV6 with a 3.6L LY7 Alloytec engine. The replacement was a success as the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) P0007 and P0018 went away without needing to be cleared.

[@Tommygun243]

Followed from video 1 to video 3 step by step and have successfully completed a timing chain rebuild on my girlfriends VE sv6. Thank you mate for your tutorials. Legend.

[@TronnnTv]

Hey man did you buy the Ina kit from mace or did you get one elsewhere. I'm about to get the same Ina kit and do my missus VE

[@davidpercy9926]

Thanks for sharing. My gosh you are the best mechanic I have ever seen. Confident, fast, smart, calm and honest. If every mechanic was a clone of you I would never worry about my car ever again. When mine goes I will come looking for you but I think the waiting list may be huge by then. Great series of videos.

[@MufudziGambiza]

Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed them.

[@darrylcampbell4411]

do you know where all the bolts for the air conditioner are?? please do tell.

[@jasonthompson5880]

Best advice I can give to people because these are great motors to stop timing chain problems it's clean the PCV valve every 6 months with a oil change

[@glennyoung]

This guy really knows what he's doing very patient as well great videos

[@jimrodgers7042]

Hi Mufudzi, my VE has just put up the P0007 code and I was not confident enough to do it myself UNTIL I came across your awesome videos. You are an excellent teacher and should be training apprentices. You explain everything so simply and easy to follow. Thank you so much for your help.

[@rhianmichl6980]

Legend! Awesome video mate - massive job. I did mine over the weekend - wouldn't have even attempted it if I hadn't seen your videos. Followed your process step by step. Thanks so much for taking the time to put this up 👍🙏

[@omgcartyscharien8336]

All 3 Videos are fantastic and work for us in North America with Pontiac G8s which are basically the same car as the VE Commodore. Thanks very much Mufudzi for taking the time to make these great videos.

[@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.

[@TheKnasty333]

Mufudzi is a champion. Great video and really quick in responding to questions. Thanks again

[@MekazaBitrusty]

Wow 😮 No wonder they charge so much. That’s a lot of work. You made it look so easy. My warning light has been on for a few years now. The chains were replaced by an authorised repairer about 50 000km ago. I asked for the old parts and I don’t think there were 3 chains. I’m thinking of having a go myself although it looks rather daunting. Thank you very much for your videos. 👏🏻

[@mickyp9517]

Takes a very smart man to do all of that successfully. Brilliant presentations!

[@stevenklasen4933]

Hey man just want to say a big thank you for your videos I just changed the timing chain in my ve thanks to you, took me two goes and a little stressful to say the least but it’s running great now so thanks again :)

[@heatherellery8172]

Great video, we (hubby and I) did ours followed your video, car turned over but wouldnt start, battery wasnt charged enough.. nerve wracking but once the battery was up it runs smooth. Thankyou for the great video 👍👍

[@nigelmitchell4973]

Thanks to you I didn’t have to pay $2000 to get it done.... you the man

[@stovejavlin6008]

All your videos are very helpful, thank you for making them for us.

[@felipevalles8041]

This is by far the best Timming Chain video ..my wife's 2009 Saturn Outlooks needs to replace the Chain so here I go....Thanks again Amigo Mufudzi.!!

[@outseeker]

it's ironic that this video that shows me how to do the job myself has convinced me to never do the job myself lol what a pain in the ass! great work mate :)

[@darrylcampbell4411]

you can do it man. no problem. take your time. its easy really just time consuming. i swore after this vid i would never do it but i did. Great feeling knowing you fixed your own car. Side note.... I also swore alot while doing it too. LoL.

[@johnharrop5530]

Bloke if yah want to live in the northern rivers nsw there is a job waiting for you at Barry Marshall’s Garage ,we need people like you Thanks for your video

[@MufudziGambiza]

Thanks mate glad it helped you out. I actually live i In the Northern Rivers in Lismore 😀

[@johnharrop5530]

@@MufudziGambiza cool I’m at Goonengerry , I just picked up a VZ LX6 for $1500 with bad chains ,going to do the job when my parts arrive already started just about to pull the rocker covers and the timing case to day , I use too work at Barry’s full time but I broke my back in 2013 and have gone back 2days a week doing rego checks , thanks heaps for you’re video and love the bird noises in the background, that’s all I hear at my place as well

[@jonathansmith4380]

Best repair video ever, I was intimidated,by starting my project,not anymore.

[@MufudziGambiza]

Good to hear. I was quite intimidated by it too at first but then I just started getting annoyed lol. Had to stop filming and came back to it the weekend after.

[@dinohopa9445]

Kia Kaha bro!!! Its just one of the best videos to do this....Just look at the comments.....Well done my friend.

[@gordinistanopolis]

Amazing work you obviously have done a few of these I would have everything marked with liquid paper !!

[@BenJenninngs-ub4ui]

thank for the detailed video. its giving me confidence to tackle my own one now. thanks ledgend.

[@MrMarkneilson]

Best instructional video I’ve seen thankyou mate!

[@rachelteariki6999]

What an amazing machanic you are champion. absolutely love the video as well as your tutorial. the best teacher ever. you should be teaching at a uni or Tafe. Your tutorial is easy and clear to understand. everything you did, you clearly expained and, followed through a sequence which made it easier for a person like me (backyard) handyman to follow. You are one in a zillion champ. Im gonna watch this over and over many more times to slowly understand it. it was by accident I stumbled across this. now, just loving it. wish you could teach me.... thanks very much. T.TeAriki.

[@ajeshwarprasad5302]

Best video and tutorial ever bro, love it, have watched it twice now. My 2009 VE SV6 has done 250K without the timing chain being replaced. Didn't encounter any problem, always serviced it on time but now there is a misfire at time on sudden acceleration so maybe it's time to get hands a bit dirty and change the timing belt as well while doing the service.

[@ShmeareD]

Loved all 3 videos mate, top notch👍

[@StiLLJ]

Thank you brother!! 🙌 I'm looking foward to seeing if I can achieve this! Appreciate you making these videos!!

[@poogzie]

Hi 8min 46 sec in to ur vid ur mention u just moved the cams on left bank to there timing marks ,why edit the vid, timing is the main [processes in the timing chain replacement and ur vague about it. can u tell me the prose's of the rimming on the ly7, do u start of at tdc bank 1 timming marker are cams flats facing up, ect ect .

[@cliveradvan3414]

That was really helpful. I am thinking of purchasing a model VE and can see while this is a big job it is not impossible. Thanks

[@waderogers2328]

Just seen this ! mate great job on your work youve really inspected everything and assembled with surgical precision

[@mikeellis52]

great 3 part video thank you, as peolpe have said your very good at what you do, thank you again im looking forward in tackling it myself and using your video's as a reference

[@ianbosman5202]

You're a legend mate, thank you very much for a comprehensive instructional video.

[@roixin4601]

Amazing instructional video mate! I've learned heaps. At least now I've got an idea on how my mechanic would replace my Lumina's timing chain. :) thanl you so much! Thank you for your help.

[@billybear1368]

Hi Mate... I not at the replace chain stage ... yet... but what part did you drill out at both ends at the rear of rocker cover on drivers side to let breath better.... Is the fitting in the line after the pcv valve..? Thanks

[@JT-fn4eu]

Brother your a fucking legend mate I seriously can’t thank you enough for this video , it’s like I was there with you showing me how to fix my VE . The best lesson I’ve ever had . Thanks again bro 👍👍🏽👍🏻👍🏿

[@prestigemind5304]

Got it done today! No engine codes. Thanks for the your help. I did this on a 2009 pontiac g8 3.6l

[@MufudziGambiza]

Good work. How long did it take you?

[@prestigemind5304]

@@MufudziGambiza I did each video per week and had to buy a pulley for crank. The only issues I had was the ac compressor bolts. "Took the tire off to get to bolts " and when installing the ac compressor the belt tensor pulley has to go on first. I would have not been able to do this without your video this car is very rare in the states so thank you 🙏 for posting this for us to use! My g8 motor is saved 🙌 thanks for your help!

[@trueblueozzy939]

Very informative and helpful, too stuff champ!!! I’ll be doing mine in a week or two 🙏👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@djmobn]

This blokes beyond a legend

[@daniellehill1348]

Thanks for the videos. Really helps me understand what's going on with my ve now

[@zf1141]

What did you do to hold flywheel in place to torque harmonic balancer pulley? I know you said you heated pulley a bit to tap on, but I don't recall seeing how you torqued.

[@Trebior1]

good video. Just one thing to note when resealing the timing cover a 3-4mm bead of silicon is plenty. The amount used in the video is far to much and can even contact the chains.

[@patrickhenry2004]

Mufudzi awesome videos x3 appreciate this, cheers bro from Awanui Northland New Zealand

[@123nlusky]

You are a champion, great videos. Thanks mate👍

[@johnnyaroha4246]

Hey bud that king chrome extendable ratchet your using what size drive is that Ps great videos very helpful…

[@brodymcrae3936]

Hey mate just a quick question? The stage 1 & 2 you have done in this video is it the same for a 2008 VE commodore? Keep up the great vids, cheers

[@MufudziGambiza]

Yes mate will be the same.

[@Davidm1956]

We've had our VE SV6 since it was 18 months old and put 300k km on it. Still haven't got the error code but expecting it any time soon so I searched for Timing Chain Videos. Watched a few but man . . . this is the most comprehensive motor repair videos I've ever seen. 10 points man! Seriously . . . you should do this for a living! The only thing i missed was crank timing marks for right bank then turn engine back for left bank? Are there 2 timing marks on the crank?

[@aaronabdalla9424]

Around 9 minutes, what is the “right timing mark” for the pulleys without the chain on? on ‘LH of engine’ but if your looking at it while working on it it’s actually the RH of engine bay My timing chain stretched and gears jumped so I’m a little confused on to getting the cam sprockets aligned again properly with crank etc

[@1royalwolf]

Can’t say enough good things about this video mate. Absolutely outstanding. Clearly you have a lot of confidence and knowledge in what you do and it lets you explain this process with ease and so clearly even I’m thinking of having a go. One question though mate. My car is the sidi 3ltr and you showed an extra cam locking tool for the 3ltr so just wondering what part of the process to change the 3ltr timing chains is missing from this vid. Thanks again legend. Brilliant effort👍👍

[@darrylcampbell4411]

hey man. all the processes are the same. You om=nly need 2 cam locking tools. The reason there is 3 is that the sidi engines have adifferent lock tool on the drivers side compared to the 3.6 ve v6. He is showing all the lock tools for both engines. Hope Iwasnt confusing

[@johncitizen882]

Hi, great work, it certainly gave me inspiration to do the job on my motor. A few differences though as mine was in a RA Rodeo, but viewing your video along with the workshop manual made the job so much easier. I didn't have to remove as many of the ancillary units, Power Steering Pump, Alternator and AC, but besides that it was excellent. A few questions though, in your video when applying the cam lock tools you seemed to fit them in their final configuration when doing the removal. The manual said fit EN 46105-1 to the RH Bank and EN 46105-2 to the LH Bank for removal and the opposite to when doing the two stage install and timing, changing them and when to do it could be confusing for some. Mind you talking about RH and LH Banks confused me as I forgot it was referenced from looking from drivers position not looking in from front of vehicle. I would have loved to show you pictures of just how badly the old guides were chewed out in mine, down to metal on three, but ..... hence the codes I threw.

[@asmaguiamad7750]

i salute you Mr. V6 engine Doctor, i ll watching your other interesting vedio !!!

[@jameswoodward921]

Hey mate video is great!. I just have one question. on the "left" bank you say you moved the cams back to timing to lock them up with cam shaft locking tool. do they not correspond with the other bank?

[@MufudziGambiza]

The cams have to live up with locking tool as it is keyed to a certain position.

[@darrylcampbell4411]

Got my chains on bro. Taaaking my time. gonna pretty up the cover throw some gasket goo on and begin reasembly. thanks for your vids and encouragement from the word go.... Ill let you know when I kick her into life how she goes....

[@jsd05]

Some awesome info here, thank you so much for the series. I’ll be doing this myself in a few weeks and it’s great to know I have this as a guide. What is the name of the red gasket goo used to reassemble the timing chain cover plate? I need to get me some of that

[@nickl2548]

Great Video, thanks for the info on the cooling system. ( How and where to bleed )

[@MufudziGambiza]

All good. Glad you found it informative.

[@waynecurtis8909]

@@MufudziGambiza hey buddy I have a Holden Rodeo same problem where do I get the parts from

[@aaronabdalla9424]

Is there a reason why I’ve cranked the engine over after getting everything perfectly aligned, it’s not hitting anything turns over fine, but now won’t line up? Hasn’t jumped any teeth and tension is applied on all three chains, was 100% sure everything lined up before and after tensioning and then also right before hand turning over

[@stephensmith7465]

Awesome.be able to do it myself next time.

[@TheKnasty333]

Great video. Just wondering at 8.51 you mentioned u lined up the 2 pulleys before you put the can lock on. What did you mean? Thanks.

[@MufudziGambiza]

You will have to spin the cam using a wrench if the marks aren't aligned.

[@kinderlindon]

Thanks for your great videos

[@specialized29er86]

A couple of questions: when undoing the crank pulley do we leave the engine/transmission in gear and when aligning the timing marks we take it out of gear.

[@MufudziGambiza]

When undoing crank pulley have it in gear so engine doesn't spin. Then when aligning timing marks in neutral so you can turn engine.

[@audreytheodore4828]

Hi mate can you tell me when you put the fluctuators back in did you use any lubricant on them before you put them back in. Thanks Steve

[@MufudziGambiza]

Not didn't put any in. You have to crank motor with fuel pump relay unplugged to prime everything. Especially timing chain tensioners.

[@clarkkent1340]

Thanks for sharing your talent brother.

[@raykaio9891]

thank you so much Mufudzi. learnt alot , much respect!

[@joshg4559]

Hey mate, great series except in part 3 you skipped over a really important part. How did you move the cams on the left bank to place the holders in?

[@Trebior1]

He turned it counter clockwise to line the timing marks up on the crank sprocket. there is two separate marks, 1 for each bank

[@Czechmate.z]

In USA 5.3 engines used in GM Chevy silverados trucks and about 10 other models including camaro is a pushrod design 355 hp( tyre smoking power ). No timing chain problems.

[@TheCicekdag]

I wish you was my mate .well done to you. explain everything good i still wish you were my mate 😁😁👍

[@lilatekani6033]

Hi just wondering. If the primary camshaft drive chain lower guide is replaced, do you have to replace the oil pump?

[@PeterPan-zc2hx]

hey mate what sealer did you use for the water pump and timing cover?

[@christylugosi5694]

How much did it cost you for all the parts, I bought my partner car and it got same problems wika timing chain

[@andrewx19x]

I got a Colorado with the 3.6L hfv6 , would this be the same install? Been going into limp mode with a p00016 correlation code

[@MufudziGambiza]

yes this is exactly the same as the Colorado.

[@hindustanipoetry3337]

hey why did you rotate at 5:10 , i didnot get the logic can you please explain brother. your videos are helping me alot. bless you

[@matt20092]

Great video Mufudzi, appreciate your efforts in bringing it to many people. Just one thing I had to encourage people not to do that you did, is use too much RTV sealant. That was a ridiculous amount. That will clog your oil pickup filter and possible the narrow oil channels. You only need a 3mm wide bead on one surface, thats enough. Not being a picky bastard but these motors are sensitive to oil flow as it is. Great job though mate.

[@MufudziGambiza]

Thanks for the tip mate will remember for next time.

[@oscar4595]

Great video mate, just wondering how many hours did you work on it?

[@MufudziGambiza]

I did it over 1 weekend. Not sure how man hours exactly cause I was filming aswell.

[@samperras]

Good onya mate

[@birdsandthingsbeachandbush1064]

Your great been looking for someone who's done this I really like you showed the hole process, what timing chain kit did you use? Cuz I seen there's a lot ? And where do I get those cam tools from? cuz I am about to try to do this job, my mates say I can't and I need a mechanic, pff

[@MufudziGambiza]

Thanks glad it helped. I used a mace engineering timing chain kit got it from their website. Dont use any of the cheap kits from china I've had terrible things about them, ur better off spending the money and doing it right. The alignment tools are just cheap generic ones from ebay. Haha dont listen to them I believe if you've got the tools you can do it ots not rocket science.

[@natetee2926]

Thank you brotha appreciate your hard work and talent

[@gracetandoc6767]

How long does the job take ?

[@aaronaaaronson7296]

Awesome video - so helpful. Thanks heaps!

[@grahambate3384]

where did u get the kit from and price please

[@MufudziGambiza]

Mace engineering kit. Can get it off their website.

[@aussieone3988]

bloody awesome work watch all u videos its a big job changing the chain but u save a lot of money doing your self come back to melbourne

[@PetesBuilds]

Really bloody good. My old man got a quote for $3700, i reckon ill knock this one out myself for no cost to him.

[@mahfa7513]

really great thanks mate you done very good job, all videos are helpful thanks

[@chrisking6155]

agree great clear and concise work mate.

[@shanzo1997]

Hey mate, do you know what order the bolts with the rubber bits go? All my bolts fell out and cant remember which ones go where

[@lilatekani6033]

My partner followed your videos and changed the timing chain, water pump, gasket goo. My battery was pretty dead on start up, but once we got it going it sounded smooth. Just wondering why the engine light might still be on though?

[@MufudziGambiza]

Thats great. Engine light might need to be cleared or there may be another fault logged will need to be scanned to be sure.

[@markkrawczuk1943]

6:35 how come your not replacing the whole guide , ? why just the other bit where the chain runs on ?

[@jyetraval6722]

I like the tensioner grenade pin design

[@ivegottaloverlybunchacocon9535]

You sir are a bloody champion!

[@ManuelTorres-pm8el]

What did he say about the white mark and spinning the chains ? At the beginning between minute 2-3. Couldn’t understand him

[@TheKnasty333]

Hi . Just a quick on . For a ve wagon 3.6 would I use the 2 flat cam locks or one flat and one on the diagonal. Thanks again

[@MufudziGambiza]

Depends which engine you have. There are a couple different ones. The ID plate near the airbox should say which one you have eg LEO or LY7

[@TheKnasty333]

Awesome thanks. Just checked its an ly7

[@MufudziGambiza]

@@TheKnasty333 will be one flat and one diagonal like in this video.

[@keifferlloyd6082]

Great videos thanks heaps for sharing. Small tip is to have cam shaft alignment tool, part no 304732 Cheers 😁

[@SunnieSnell]

That was good. Just bought a VE 110,000 kms and was wondering what problems i may have. THe only prob for me is keeping the timing right.

[@Mr811251]

Hi what kind of silicone (red) do.you use..my vf oil leaking from timing chain cover..

[@mw292]

Good thing you made the holes on the PCV valve bigger. Probably the main cause of the problem in the first place

[@Farren2012]

@MichaelKingsfordGray agree

[@peterjohndesmond369]

Impressive mate really well explained

[@timw678]

what was that terrible ticking noise at the end of the clip while u bled the the coolant

[@MufudziGambiza]

That's the purge solenoid part of the emissions it's normal for it to do that.

[@peterbrady2165]

how many times did you turn the motor over to get the timing marks to line up again?

[@MufudziGambiza]

A lot lol, I would just skip that step. Rotate a couple of times to make sure it doesn't get stuck or hard to rotate.

[@patrickfirth5774]

Awesome tutorial Brother. Excellent and detailed easy to follow step by step instructions. Saved Yourself a fair wad of cashola by doing it Yourself. Question - What was the information You were using on the tablet? And did You follow a re-torquing sequence, when re-installing the timing chain cover? Cheers and You now have one more subscriber... P.S - Sad why someone would dislike this video....?

[@MufudziGambiza]

Thanks mate. I sure did. I was just referencing my timing with the service manual to.make sure I was doing it correctly aswell. And yes everything was torqued to spec as per service manual too.

[@patrickfirth5774]

@@MufudziGambiza Thanks Brother...

[@kesta977]

Great video mate, what was that ticking noise at the end?

[@MufudziGambiza]

That was the purge solenoid. Very common that hey tick but if it annoys you you can replace it.

[@fullthrottle716]

Can I use a 1/2" torque wrench and would you be able to send me a list of all the torque specs please bro

[@sidibelal1175]

Bro why you didn’t replace the guide for the oil pump ? Do you have to replace the oil pump if you replace that guide ?? Thanks for the video

[@MufudziGambiza]

I did replace the guide. Just the surface is what you need to replace. And yes it asks you replace the pump if you unbolt that guide.

[@jcdragon77]

Great Work mate