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Just for fun, I looked it up. Sorry for the small image, but 18 is the primary and secondary timing chain. They are $25 and $29 respectively from gmpartsdirect.com. If you like belts, you could buy a Honda with a timing belt and pay $500 every 60k miles for a new one.
 

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So you think after 15,000 km it's acceptable? I'm not too worried about the price since it's under warranty anyways it's just the idea have one going so soon.
Sorry if I sounded snotty, that was not my intention. My point was we don't have this part, so it is not an issue.

My other intent was to say that we have a timing chain that will likely last longer than most everything else in the car. If we had a timing belt, it would have to be replaced as "routine maintenance" and would be a large additional expense.

If whoever told you the timing belt was bad meant a timing chain, then it was probably just a fluke. There is discussion on the SRX website about some bad timing chains in the old 3.6 (which uses a different chain), but it appears to be a bad batch found mostly in the 2005 model year cars. I would bet they were all built around the same time as well, but the discussion has not been that specific. Even if a bad batch was out there, it is doubtful your replacement will also be bad. I would venture to say it is not a design deficiency since there haven't been any other complaints I've seen and they've made hundreds of thousands of these motors in various applications. Good luck.
 

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Cadillac CT6 (2019)
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2,396 Posts
Timing chains can last hundreds of thousands of miles (though an abused engine can see failures at a much earlier time). No, your timing chain should not go out in 15K km. I/we are all assuming that you are talking about the cam timing chain and not the serpentine belt that drives the accessories. Even that, the serpentine belt, should last longer than you describe (unless you have a bad pulley or just got a bad belt).
 

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2008 CTS 3.6L DI RWD, GMPP new engine 11/2013
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2,092 Posts
Cygnus X1,

Just curious...have you experienced many delayed kickdowns?

Don't know if it's harmful to the timing chain, but the engine drive belt (owner's manual p. 6-14) can squeal like a pig during kickdowns - i.e., you're cruising 30-60 mph, auto tranny in "D," punch the gas pedal for sudden acceleration (to avoid getting rear-ended or broad-sided when changing lanes, passing, or turning left across oncoming traffic), but instead of instant response, the car's forward momentum stalls as engine rpm's rev to near-redline, tranny disengages to search for correct gear, and eventually downshifts to a lower, often too low, gear.
 

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2019 CTS
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2,899 Posts
from what I have read, there was a bunch of bad timing chains. The article did not mention how many just that there were some and the warranty was picking up those beyond the warranty period if the identified chain was with-in the build dates. It's interesting that the few I have seen on this forum involved non-USA vehicles. I wonder how that is possible.
 

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2008 CTS 3.6L DI RWD, GMPP new engine 11/2013
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2,092 Posts
There appears there was a problem with an inordinate amount of chains...
What is the basis for your comment? How about sharing with the rest of us?

from what I have read, there was a bunch of bad timing chains. The article did not mention how many just that there were some and the warranty was picking up those beyond the warranty period if the identified chain was with-in the build dates.
What article? When, where? Any attribution, name of author, title of article, publication, or website (link, cut-n-paste) might help others find and save for future reference in the event of a timing chain failure.

Thanks, guys.

BTW - I googled and found nothing about defective GM 3.6L DI timing chains, only this item about the design: "The 3.6L V6 VVT DI has a new timing chain with a smaller pitch (7.7 mm compared to 9.5mm previously) and more links. The chain features an inverted tooth design. The smaller links engage at a lower impact speed, which decreases the noise generated. In conjunction with the new chain, the number of teeth on the sprockets is also increased, increasing the meshing frequency and further reducing noise and vibration. The new timing chain is a running change that will occur in all of GM Powertain’s V6 VVT engines through the course of the 2007 model year." http://www.gmpowertrain.ca/Product/3.6%20VVT%20DI/LLT%20Summary.pdf
 

· Cadillac Technician
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11,053 Posts
There were chain issues in production. I haven't heard anything that would indicate it is a widespread issue but if the car is under warranty it will be getting better parts installed.
A lot of the updated chains are on backorder.

It is a machine, machines break, that is what a warranty is for.
It has been happening since before the invention of the automobile, not sure why it is such a surprise to anyone but yet it seems to be every day.
 

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2014 Standard SrX grey/black 2006 GTO
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1,799 Posts
Known problem especially on 2007s.
My '07 SRX had to have it replaced and my '04 SRX had to have the camshafts replaced. I am of the opinion that the 3.6L engine in all variations is not class leading. Especially when it comes to NVH.
 

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2012 Crystal Red CTS Coupe with Ebony Interior
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452 Posts
I just had my timing belts on my 2007 STS V6 changed at 40,000 miles. The first local dealer that I went to ordered them and after waiting 3 weeks I went to another dealer about 25 miles away and they had none in stock. I then went to a 3rd dealer still about 25 miles from where I live and they had them and fixed the car 2 days later. They seem to be hard to get. I don't know why and I don't know why this one dealer had them when nobody else can get them.
 

· Cadillac Technician
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11,053 Posts
GM charges us to have parts sitting on the shelf, most (if not all) stores won't stock parts they don't sell on a regular basis.
That one store may have ordered some for someone else and not used them or some variation of that theme and still had them on the shelf.

In many cases there are none out there to get, so they actually have to be manufactured and shipped directly to the dealer or come through the parts distribution network which would take even longer.
 

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2014 CTS VSport Premium
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130 Posts
I have an early production 2008 CTS 3.6 DI. Last month, at about 29,000 miles my engine light starting to activate. Took the car into the dealer who determined that both timing chains needed replacing due to factory recommendations; something about the chains manufactured/designed too long. Mine was the second car they had to replace the chains on. After two days with a Chevy Impala rental, I got my car back. No cost and I got a free car wash and oil change required for the service work. This was the first warranty work on the car after nearly 30,000 miles.
 

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08 White Diamond CTS DI RWD FE2 all options
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2,540 Posts
GM charges us to have parts sitting on the shelf, most (if not all) stores won't stock parts they don't sell on a regular basis.
That one store may have ordered some for someone else and not used them or some variation of that theme and still had them on the shelf.

In many cases there are none out there to get, so they actually have to be manufactured and shipped directly to the dealer or come through the parts distribution network which would take even longer.
Talk about JIT supply! It seems GM "perfected" it.....bad for us...
 
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