How to align the timing belt on a Buick Excelle engine?
2 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.
