This post will provide a little visual insight and some tool information related to various service procedures on the engine camshaft and timing system on Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L turbo RPO LUV) engines. Whether working on a Cruze LUV or a Volt LUU, the same tools are required.

Whenever various procedures are performed, from camshaft phasers, timing components, camshaft replacement etc., precision alignment of the timing components is necessary. On this particular engine family, there are more tools required than on some earlier engines, which appear to be similar.

There is no provision for "guess and by golly" techniques of "yesteryear" to be the option when servicing these and many other modern engines. During a procedure, I had my camera handy and thought it worthy to share the photos of the main tools in use as a visual aid. Some tools referenced here are not shown, but are necessary for all of the timing components to be precisely positioned.

Note that when the camshaft bolts are loosened, they must be replaced, since they are Torque To Yield (TTY). Hold the camshafts with a wrench on the hex behind the camshaft phasers while removing or torquing the bolts.

Not shown is the crankshaft fixing tool EN-952 (KM-952). It is installed at the lower front of the crankcase, to engage in an alignment hold in the crankshaft, once a plug is removed from the cylinder block. The tool should not be forced or bind in the hole when the crankshaft is correctly position. While it is not shown, this is an important step, not to be omitted. Just as important, is to remember to remove the holding tool and reinstall the plug when the procedure is complete. If you think that you might forget this step, put a Post It note on the driver's door or steering wheel as a reminder!

[2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Engine/Propulsion Photo] shows the camshafts held in correct position, similar to other engines with slots at the rear of the camshafts. It may be necessary to use a wrench on the camshafts to engage the tool fully into the slots.

Since the engine has camshaft phasers, tools are required to ensure that the phasers are correctly positioned relative to the camshafts. This is accomplished by installation of a holding tool to the intake cam phaser sprocket. [2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Engine/Propulsion Photo] shows the tool as installed in the front view and [2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Engine/Propulsion Photo] show the installation rear view.

As mentioned, the camshaft bolts which also serve as the hollow hydraulic camshaft phaser control valves, are TTY. [2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Engine/Propulsion Photo] shows the intake camshaft solenoid removed exposing the bolt. This bolt secures the camshaft, phaser and exciter ring together.

Hold the camshafts with a wrench whenever loosening or tightening and torquing this bolt. The tools are intended for alignment of the timing components, not holding tools for removal and torquing of tight fasteners.

Locking pins EN-955 (KM-955) are used during chain and phaser procedures to maintain chain tension, but not shown in photos here.

Since the camshaft exciter rings camshaft phasers and camshafts have no dowels or tangs to maintain alignment, once installed they rely on a consistent clamping load of the new TTY camshaft bolt, to hold them securely in alignment. Shown in [2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Engine/Propulsion Photo] is the exciter ring positioning tool. The tool engages in slots in the intake and exhaust camshaft exciter rings and again, the tool is not used to hold components while loosening or torquing the camshaft bolts. [2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT, Photo] shows the slot in the intake cam exciter ring.

Without going into lengthy details of the various procedures associated with the need for the tools depicted in the photos above, it is essential that the set up steps of the procedures be followed in the correct order to accurately time the involved components. The tools are available through Kent Moore and where applicable the EN (Engine) and KM # or other is shown.

Note that the camshaft cover gasket is rubber and fits into a groove similar to many other engines. It should be replaced not re-used when the cover is removed.

Regards,

Martin from British Columbia

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