Timing Chain

I have been advised that my timing chain is ok and no rework is required even though the VIN number is within the range of 1N000145 and 1N001492 The Service dept were told that my car was not affected, they were given a ref number DE2397-64818 to prove that they had checked it out with Vauxhaul. Has anyone else had this responce, not sure if I should be pleased or worried that they are trying to get out of doing the work. cheers

The whole business seems very strange. One Opel dealer told me it's not an urgent matter and they've been told to do the work into 2004 or even 2005 when car is in workshop for other reasons – but he also told me that if it did let go it would mean major engine failure so how can they be so laid-back about it? Local Opel dealer with no Speedster experience knew of the problem however – simply accepted it when I said I was in the affected batch. Booked in for next Tuesday, but a bit worried as I've since read on another thread that it's a rear clam off job and I don't feel at all happy about inexperienced Opel grease monkeys messing with my Speedy. Can't understand anyway why it should need the clam removed and why only some cars within this batch should be affected. Why can't GM come clean and give the owners the straight facts?

DO NOT LET NORMAL VAUXHALL MECHANICS DO THE RECALL ON TIMING BELTS!!! Thats all she wrote-rear clam off engine drop scenario so make sure its experienced VX mechanics....1 wks work And you DO need it if you fall in the VIN, believe me, as new engine, possibly outside warranty in later years aint cricket..

This can be done without a rear clamshell off job - the timing chain is accessible from the rear right had wheel arch (uk drivers side) - they just have to remove the wheel and arch liner - thats what the local vx technician found (after he had done mine of course!!) Jon

Thanks for the info guys! cheers I'll let my local Opel yokels know these facts and ask them if they really feel they can take the responsibity for this work.

sure about that John? I did ask about any other way of doing it and was told no there is no other way, but then again considering the service by Monorep im not suprised there is a better way.

Heck I wasn't actually there when the technician did the second VX just when they took the clamshell off mine!! When mine had to go back in to get the whining fixed he told me that for the second VX he'd discovered he could get at the timing chain from the wheel arch and that was how he got at the whine on mine!!! I think the instructions from Vauxhall technical only tell em to take the clamshell off and this guy has experimented and found a better way for him to do the job, Hang on how stupid am I Here I am believing what I'm told by a Vauxhall Technician..... Though this guy is pretty good, I've never had a problems with his work or anything he's said, he's not even used the old standard TADTS but gets on and has a look at whatever I'm trying to describe. Jon

Edited by JonP, 16 August 2003 - 07:59 AM.

When mine had to go back in to get the whining fixed ...

Hi JonP,

As a matter of interest, what's your whining noise like and did it occur all the time?

cheers

All very interesting but has anyone had the same response from the service department as I had and have told that the chain did not need replacement even thought the VIN number was in the range given. From other threads it seems that no one else has had this problem. Not sure what to do next, any help would be appreciated. cheers

Last Thursday (14th Aug) I booked my Speedy in for tomorrow (19th Aug) for two new rear tyres (VXT ones), new battery and timing chain work if they felt confident about it. Went round on Saturday morning to see them face-to-face and emphasise my concerns: workshop not open and bosses not there, just junior mechanic in charge of petrol sales. From what he said, they hadn't ordered anything . Gave him written specification and code no. for VXT tyres to give to boss and agreed I'd call on Monday morning (today). Went round this morning and quoted to them some of the info off the forum about other horror stories. They say that they are familiar with doing the timing chain work as Astras, etc. also affected. They can't see what problems there should be with Speedster. When I talked about damaged/misaligned clams, he looked at me with an expression implying that that was unbelievable and certainly wouldn't happen with them. Told him I needed the car at lunchtime on Thursday (off for supercharged Speedy testdrive ). He said they had to order the parts from Germany - if they came in time then they should be able to do the work by then. I suggested that if there was any doubt, they should not coomence with timing chain. Still had ordered neither tyres nor battery . I emphasised about tyres being Speedster specific and asked if he realised battery was special small one too. All no problem so he claimed. He remained super-calm and composed throughout conversation as if I had nothing to worry about... either this garage is so fantastically competent that they can effortlessly solve all my problems and everyone elses's or this guy is some sort of psychopath... I'll find out... one way or another , in the next couple of days. I feel completely at their mercy which, of course, I am... Watch this space for the next installment of "Speedy's Tales of Terror". Could include parental advisory content I fear <_<

Took it in this morning as arranged last week. Surprise, surprise – they haven't got parts to do it. "Have to come from Germany". Well... they knew that last Thursday didn't they? FFS, a bloke could have walked here with the bits by now. Also, no tyres. Claims none available in Switzerland acccording to Bridgestone until early-mid September. Now let's think think this through... first Speedster Turbos were delivered here in March-April. Say a new owner got write-off tyre damage driving it home new from the showroom back then... are they trying to say he would have had no car all spring and all summer because there are no replacements? Sorry, but even by the usual standards of incompetence, I find that just too hard to believe. So, left the car with them at 8am to have new battery fitted. Hoped to collect it at lunchtime. Think about it - I'd booked it in for timing chain, tyres & battery - all they have to do is swop the battery... should have plenty of time to do that then... Told it should be ready at around 4pm Once again GM dealer living up to their reputation as world-class incompetents who f*ck their customers about with an almost breathtaking effortlessness. And the best bit is, they don't even seem to realise what utterly, tragically p*ss-poor service this is. What is one to do??? If only I didn't love the car so much!

Once again GM dealer living up to their reputation as world-class incompetents who f*ck their customers about with an almost breathtaking effortlessness. And the best bit is, they don't even seem to realise what utterly, tragically p*ss-poor service this is.

or do they just not care
d

I get the honest impression that they think they are doing fine. If they didn't care, I don't think they would make the effort to try to explain why they haven't got the bits. Would be as easy to get them in the first place! Anyway, whatever the reason, it's pathetic service.

Collected it at 5.45pm

They've fitted the battery, so I can drive it again at least.

Admits it's a bit odd that Bridgestone have no tyres for the VXT seeing as its been out nearly half a year and this is the only approved tyre for it. Says he's only reporting what Bridgestone, Switzerland told him. So, is Switz. a third world country now?

Spoke again about timing chain. Told him in UK dealers have had a 6-page fax on how to do it. Said he had something, but had not looked at it yet

There then ensued "gentle persuasion" from me that we should look at it together NOW! to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Turns out he simply had a two page document with the message, and I quote, "Timing chain may break" and some general info. He will need to download full info from Opel. I "helped him" to the decision that he should do that soon!

Booked in for next Monday now for timing chain. He reckons it should be done by Tuesday evening.

One good thing is they've washed the car (was still under a thick fly and brake dust coating from my last Hockenheim trip where the clutch hydraulics failed).

Now it's clean and sparked, I can finally get the hardtop off again and have a little burn this evening.

Taken it in this morning for timing chain. Fingers crossed...

Phone call this afternoon at around 3pm from garage to say work completed. They say timing chain not so difficult. Reached it via right rear wheel arch as I had mentioned posted on the forum. Apparently only one long bolt had difficult access. They said if there had been an access hole in the chassis at the relevant place, it would have been much easier. Also checked front brake callipers – they were OK. So... pretty competent I thought. But... I'm afraid it just is the case that GM garages are used to the everyday dross cars and they have no love, enthusiasm or feeling for the cars. In contrast, atmosphere at Delta-Motor tuners was of appreciation of cars. Here's the evidence to support my case: I polished up my matt cam cover in situ by hand as well as I could so I could enjoy looking at it more ( and removed the ponky Ecotec label). Delta-Motor's supercharged Speedster has a lovingly shining, high-polish finish cover that they've obviously put some effort into (see Ecotec Supercharger thread for pics). When I opened my engine cover after the timing chain job I was confronted by this view:

I asked what the black smear on my cam cover was.

Answer: "Oh, that's a mark to show that the timing chain has been done"

"Oh, and we put a white blob on the calliper to show that's OK too"

Sure enough one of main bolts on calliper is now white - looks totally ludicrous.

See what I mean about no feeling for cars. What does Mr. X care if his Corsa has a daub of black paint across the engine? Not all – won't even notice it. But your average Speedster/VX owner has a slightly deeper attachment to his car on the whole I suspect. Your average GM garage just does not appreciate this ! Here's the daub in all its glory

Sorry to bring this back to the top, but I have to laugh. Vauxhall techies have been saying that the rear clam has to come off - NOT TRUE!! The TIS CD actually says take the BONNET off i.e. the little flappy engine cover that attaches with two hinges! How many of us have had their rear clam removed for no reason! <_<

Sorry to bring this back to the top, but I have to laugh.

Vauxhall techies have been saying that the rear clam has to come off - NOT TRUE!!

The TIS CD actually says take the BONNET off i.e. the little flappy engine cover that attaches with two hinges!

How many of us have had their rear clam removed for no reason!


<_<

!!!

What utter baffoons!

At least my local yokels did it via the wheel arch, even if they did some cavemen-like paint daubings on the camcover afterwards to record the event.

Just been to pick CAY up from Drive Vauxhall in Leamington Spa, been in for a week to sort out rattling timing chains. They have replaced the tensioner and guides, and this covers the "recall" work as well, They didn't take the rear clam off. But I've now also got a nice round blob of paint on the cam cover, least it's green to match the car. Whilst it was in, they found three other reworks, the ABS which I knew about, drivers seat fixings, and somthing to do with the wheel hubs which I didn't. They have done all three. Cleaned it and vacumed the inside. Good service Well done if your watching