how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I buy?

astracoupelady

I am looking at buying an Astra Coupe 2.2i 16v Bertone. It's on an 03 plate and I'm sure it's still the z22se engine. How do I find out if the cam chain problem is sorted on the '03's?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks,
D

vocky

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

03 plate should be the later spec engine, it's the early 52 plates which might still have the old type chain :thumbup:

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

vocky said:
03 plate should be the later spec engine, it's the early 52 plates which might still have the old type chain :thumbup:

so my 51 plate could still have the old type chain?

JohnnyN

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

Unless you have proof that the chain has been changed then yes. Old kit.

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

JohnnyN said:
Unless you have proof that the chain has been changed then yes. Old kit.

would it have had the oil feel modified.
wouldnt it have snapped by now if there was a problem with it?

its been supercharged for over 25k now so i would have thought so wouldnt you?

JohnnyN

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

As said, unless you have paperwork then its running on old style oil feed jet. The chain needn't have broken yet. Regular oil change intervals will help keep things healthy. Not all the chain kits suffer breakages.

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

JohnnyN said:
As said, unless you have paperwork then its running on old style oil feed jet. The chain needn't have broken yet. Regular oil change intervals will help keep things healthy. Not all the chain kits suffer breakages.

is it an expensive excersise to do a chain and feed change?

vocky

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

all vectra B's had the old type chain kit 🙁

parts cost approx £300 for both chains, gasket and engine oil + filter

Benny changes them for a good rate 😃

the dealer quotes £1050 for a vx220 cam chain change :silent:

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

vocky said:
all vectra B's had the old type chain kit 🙁

parts cost approx £300 for both chains, gasket and engine oil + filter

Benny changes them for a good rate 😃

the dealer quotes £1050 for a vx220 cam chain change :silent:

is there a specified time limit/life for chains like there is belts?

JohnnyN

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

100k is the recommended but having been a member of this forum for 4 years, there haven't been many that have made it that far but in this world, we don't get to hear about all the success stories. If nothing is wrong at the moment then leave it alone. There is a tell tale noise that comes with it, the dreaded rattle. Though when you get that noise it isn't far off breaking point.

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

JohnnyN said:
100k is the recommended but having been a member of this forum for 4 years, there haven't been many that have made it that far but in this world, we don't get to hear about all the success stories. If nothing is wrong at the moment then leave it alone. There is a tell tale noise that comes with it, the dreaded rattle. Though when you get that noise it isn't far off breaking point.

ill keep my ears peeled then!

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

JohnnyN said:
100k is the recommended but having been a member of this forum for 4 years, there haven't been many that have made it that far but in this world, we don't get to hear about all the success stories. If nothing is wrong at the moment then leave it alone. There is a tell tale noise that comes with it, the dreaded rattle. Though when you get that noise it isn't far off breaking point.

when do you hear the noise?? startup?? whilst drivinh what sort of a rattle?? very loud?? obvious?

astra22bertoneauto

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

My old chain & oil nozzel lasted till 117k until 1 day i arrived at work and it sounded just like a noisy diesel clunking away so yes it is possible to hear it. However some people on here have said it has just snapped - not sure if they noticed a noise first thou. its worth checking your paperwork and engine number.

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

astra22bertoneauto said:
My old chain & oil nozzel lasted till 117k until 1 day i arrived at work and it sounded just like a noisy diesel clunking away so yes it is possible to hear it. However some people on here have said it has just snapped - not sure if they noticed a noise first thou. its worth checking your paperwork and engine number.

where do you check that?

JohnnyN

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

And again...the z22se in the Vectra B will have the old kit unless you have the paperwork to prove otherwise.

poundy

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

JohnnyN said:
And again...the z22se in the Vectra B will have the old kit unless you have the paperwork to prove otherwise.

do you need to change the entire thing?? or was it just the oil feed that was at fault, and can you just change that?

seems a waste to do the whole thing if you can just do the problematic cause

vocky

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

the chain guides go brittle with age, so replace the complete kit

jonvec22sri

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

mine went at 68k, didnt even give any signs 🙁

solorider

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

have a look at the tensioner.the later tensioner has slots cut into the flat edges of the tensioner,like these in this pic viewtopic.php?f=22&t=15533 the original type will not have any slots

JohnnyN

Re: how do I find out if cam chain sorted on '03 before I bu

The tensioner proves nothing regarding if the chain has been changed. My engine had the new style tensioner along with many other engines but was still using the old smaller oil feed.

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