How to align the timing belt on a Buick Excelle engine?
4 Answers
Buick Excelle's timing belt is located next to the engine. The method to align the timing belt on a Buick Excelle engine is as follows: 1. Remove the right tire, accessory belt, and crankshaft pulley. 2. Remove the engine mount on the right side and the timing belt cover. 3. Rotate the crankshaft to align the timing marks. 4. Remove the timing tensioner, timing idler pulley, and timing belt. When installing the timing tensioner, ensure the internal protrusion and spring are correctly seated in their respective slots. 5. Install the timing belt. When installing the timing belt, use a hex wrench to adjust the timing tensioner to its loosest position for easier installation of the belt onto the tensioner. 6. Rotate the crankshaft two full turns and recheck the alignment of the timing marks. Finally, reinstall all removed components.
I must say, I've done the timing belt alignment on the Buick Excelle's engine several times. First, you need to rotate the engine to the top dead center (TDC) position of the first cylinder. There's usually a mark on the crankshaft pulley that needs to align with the pointer or marking line on the engine block. The camshaft gears also have timing marks that must align precisely with the indicators on the timing cover - even a slight misalignment can cause valve damage during startup. Then install the new belt and adjust the tension using the tensioner; it shouldn't be too loose or too tight, otherwise it might skip teeth or wear out quickly. After installation, manually rotate the crankshaft two full turns to verify the marks still align. If they've shifted, there's an installation issue. I recommend using professional tools like timing locks or consulting the service manual, as details may vary for the Excelle's 1.5L engine. For regular maintenance, the belt typically lasts about 60,000 km - when replacing, conduct a thorough inspection and don't cut corners.
Replacing the timing belt on my Excelle was quite a challenge. The key is aligning all the marks precisely: first stop the engine at top dead center, align the crankshaft notch with the block mark, and match the cam gear's triangle symbol with the cover scale. If installed incorrectly, once the belt is tensioned, you'll hear a loud clunk when starting the car, or worse, the engine might stall immediately - that's serious trouble. I nearly made that mistake myself, but luckily my friend was there to remind me to double-check. For beginners, I recommend following online video tutorials step by step, preparing all necessary tools like wrenches and marker pens, and disconnecting the battery for safety before starting. Always keep an eye on belt condition - replace immediately if cracks appear to avoid roadside breakdowns.
For the Buick Excelle's timing belt, the method is quite straightforward: First, locate the marking points on the camshaft and crankshaft, ensuring both are aligned at the top dead center position of the first cylinder. Second, install the new belt, making sure the direction is correct and not reversed. Third, adjust the tensioner's tension—neither too tight nor too loose—then rotate the engine two full turns to verify that the marks haven't shifted. On the Excelle 1.5L, the marks are usually quite visible and easy to align. After completion, test the ignition; if it starts smoothly, the job was successful. Common mistakes include neglecting proper tension or misaligned marks, which can cause engine vibration or stalling. Regularly replacing the belt can prevent this issue.
