10 replies to this topic

[GTS Paul]

Hi all, I have just had my car back from Vauxhall after some recall work and asked them if the oil feed to the timing chain should be replaced as this was a recall up till 2005. I was advised by "the VX220 specialist"!! that the replacement part was no different to the standard feed and the only reason they would block up is if a semi-synthetic oil was used instead of a 0-30w fully-synthetic, this causes the paper filter to break up and in turn blocks the feed pipe. My car has not yet had this work carried out and I am also told it is a 15hr job (yer right)!! Is any of this information correct? Should I get this done or not? Can any one help? Thanks Paul

[slindborg]

Depending on the eyar of manufacture of your engine it might have the small oil jet, you want the larger jet. the oil type used had/has fcuk all to do with it, its down to 20K service intervals causing the paper element to fail. Most VX's get a service every 10K or less so its a moot point, chains can still fail. also iirc the tensioner was changed too. Timing chain kit is approx £130ish with all the extras you need (gaskets, bolts etc) and then NO MORE than 8hrs labour. I did mine in 8 slow hrs on a saturday with helping my dad fit a gas hob in the middle It 'should' take about 4 hrs for someone who knows whats going on. If near Brum, Benny on z22se.co.uk can do them for bloody good value.

[soupdragon]

Hi Paul If your car requires the mod, I would get it done, but not at Eden! I can give you Dave's number in Kingsteignton if you want a quote from a guy you can trust. He's built a good reputation working on unusual/classic/less mainsteam stuff. We're swapping the turbo and a few other bits on mine next week. Doug

[Harry0075]

I have an 'old style' chain (2000 NA on approz 56k), and will be changing it next sunday. from what ive read its nothing to do with oil (at least I hope its not as I use semi-synth). the vx has always had regular oil changes, think that helps reduce the 'risk' of potential failure. have heard people quoting crazy money to get it changed...shop around.

[soupdragon]

I have an 'old style' chain (2000 NA on approz 56k), and will be changing it next sunday.

from what ive read its nothing to do with oil (at least I hope its not as I use semi-synth). the vx has always had regular oil changes, think that helps reduce the 'risk' of potential failure. have heard people quoting crazy money to get it changed...shop around.

I would recomend you use fully synthetic in your VX sir!

(The oil comment from dealer does whiff of BS though)

[vocky]

15 hours to change a timing chain, feckers between 2 and 4 hours

Edited by vocky, 18 June 2010 - 04:39 PM.

[GTS Paul]

Aaaaggghhhh, Dont know what to do, the car is a 2002 and has never had the mod done but am told it was only the jet on the oil feed that should be changed, then Im told there is no differance in the jet size by the main dealer. If the jet is bigger, where can I get it from? Paignton Vauxhall say they dont supply parts for this car, Exeter Vauxhall say the jet they supply is a replacement only and is the same size, now Im starting to beleive the chain and tensioners need doing as well but Vauxhall head office say not....Whats going on?! Never had these issues with an MR2!!!! Thanks for the support though guys, its always good to get feedback from people that know what they are talking about, unlike main dealers!!

[vocky]

check the engine number on the log book, if it's below 11064500 then it's the earlier spec chain to be honest if it doesn't rattle when the engine is cold then it should be fine, but if it rattles then replace the chain asap.

[james141]

After my close shave I will be getting mine done every 50-60k miles

[iceman]

check the engine number on the log book, if it's below 11064500 then it's the earlier spec chain

Oooo good info

My baby is a 2002 n/a and i was/am worried about the chain. Someone (very kindly) looked and said that one can tell something (i don't know just what exactly) by the bolts (don't know what bolts..lol..technical icey alert) and mine were ok but i'll certainly be checking my log book tomorrow

Edited by iceman, 19 June 2010 - 07:38 PM.

[Steve B]

The only difference is the jet on the early cars has a brass insert of narrow bore. The later ones just don't have the brass insert. I had mine changed at 44,000mile due to a nasty rattle. My balancer shaft tensioner had failed. Seems the whole chain mechanisms just a bit crap and better off treated like a cambelt that should be changed or inspected every x years or 50,000 miles.