Review on ECCPP 94201S Chevrolet Malibu Equinox Buick Timing Chain Kit for L4 2.0L 2.2L 2.4L: Tensioner, Guide Rail, Crank Sprocket, Shaft Sprocket (8-13 Malibu, 10-15 Equinox) by Arturo Reyes

I bought this kit knowing it was a cheap kit and decided to see how long it would last. I installed the kit a little over a year ago. The problems started about 2 months ago. When I started the car after it had been sitting for a few hours, I heard a rumble coming from the timing chain area. Recently I finally inspected the timing chain. I pushed on the chain where the tensioner was after removing the camshaft cover and noticed the tensioner was sticking. I removed the tensioner and disassembled to check. I found that it fell apart on the inside and the return ball dangled inside and drained the oil back into the crankcase. That caused chain slack and caused my noise. The tensioner looked like it had been machined and never deburred. Lots of metal particles in the tensioner. I replaced it with an OEM tensioner from the GM parts department and it works perfectly. You get what you pay for, this kit is cheap for some reason and the quality really doesn't match the other items in the kit. I was unable to use the water pump/balancer shaft chain tensioner guide as it did not move when tightened to spec. It must move/rotate to tighten the chain. I highly recommend spending more money on quality OEM parts if you don't want to do the job twice.