A complete repair would include a water pump, however since money is a critical issue I would defer the water pump until later. That is why I suggested changing just the cam chain kit and the two gasket sets listed. Cloyes offers several different component combination kits for varying degrees of repair. As you can see some kits have two chains and more plastic guides. The water pump on this engine is driven by the balance shaft chain and is on the back side of the engine. This engine has two balance shafts that are timed with the crank and the water pump which is not timed but driven by the same chain. The cam chain is timed with both cams and the crank, that is the noise you are going after. If it breaks then the repair is more complicated and more expensive. The cylinder head has to come off and valves replaced. I just did that job this month on on of my grand kids cars.

 

This is what we are trying to avoid by replacing the cam chain, anything else can be done later.

 

damn.. now thats what i call taking it apart! I cant even begin to imagine doing that lol

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I have, what i hope, is one last question on the timing chain components side of this.
Some of the kits from different brands that i saw, had those two big main gears that had those punch outs near the rim. One of a diamond shape, and one of a triangle. I believe in order to line it up the chain to them.
I noticed some other brand kits, had those two gears all with straight up circles punched out in them. No diamond or triangle. Im curious about that difference. Is there a reason for the difference?

vs

 

The gears on right are factory gears, those marks are used with a factory tool so you can remove the cylinder head without loosing time on the chain. The description of the factory tool and its use is described in a factory service manual. The replacement gears have the proper marks for first time setup. I think the factory overestimated the durability of the chain and guide setup. I have never needed to remove a cylinder head without replacing the chains on one of these engines.

 

Thank you. It seemed like quite an odd difference, so it had me wondering.

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I think this is the last component i had questions on. The thermostat. Iv never actually seen one, even a picture, until you mentioned it and i searched it.

1. Is this the right item?
2. IF it is the right item... i noticed in the specs box it said "Gasket or Seal Included : Yes" and then near the bottom it said "Seal Type : O-Ring" - Is that the o-ring we were talking about earlier? So i wouldn't need to worry about getting another o-ring for the thermostat separately? Or is it something completely different?

 

The seal for the thermostat is a different one than you saw before.

 

I am assembling the cylinder head for my 07 Cobalt today and came in to watch a little of the Xfinitiy race on CW.

 

thanks. So if i get that then i still need that o-ring.

This one feels a little stupid of me to ask, but which o-ring am i looking for? The descriptions vary a good bit on each of the listing titles. The pics vary even more. Some look thinner, some look thicker, some look... ribbed? for the water pumps pleasure maybe? i dunno.. And the actual 'info' pages dont seem to say much at all.

I was considering this one yesterday. A couple more dollars then getting the water pump gasket and o-ring separately. But the kit has several extras in it. So hopefully one of the o-rings would fit... Would hate to get everything and have the work done only to find out my one little o-ring doesnt fit.

 

The seal comes on the thermostat, that gasket kit is needed to replace a water pump

 

Ok, now im confused. You mentioned earlier that a thermostat needs an o-ring when replacing it. And you said the o-ring seal that comes on the thermostat is a different one.
Perhaps a misunderstanding somewhere?
Let me reset the question so i can get this straight in my own head.
So the gasket kit is for the water pump. Ok. - If the thermostat is to be replaced, does the thermostat need anything else with it?