2003 Astra Convertible Chain

m_p_rogers

Hi,

I'm sure this sort of thing gets asked all the time by noobs so I apolgise, I just couldn't really find anything in old posts or stickys.

I'm due to pick up a 2003 Astra Convertible Edition 100 this weekend, its quite high mileage (82k), am I correct in saying the issues surrounding the chain and lubrication should be resolved on a 2003 Z22SE (car was registered July 2003).

Should my chain be ok ? And just expect to change around 100k providing its not rattling when cold ?

m_p_rogers

Spoke to VX Customer care, no outstanding recalls on the car and engine number is 11223576 so significantly over 11065400 which was the cut over point for the new chain kit... Fingers crossed!

MikeS

dood the recalls were based on the z22se engine

they stopped putting the z22se engine in vauxhalls a good 5 years ago so any manufacturer recall will not be upheld

vauxhall released a statement a good 2 years ago that they will not finance any z22se engine replacement

m_p_rogers

Sorry I should have been clearer, I was phoning them to understand whether my engine was a pre Mar 2002 unit and should/had been recalled for the modified kit, not for them to actually replace it.

MikeS

no astra's had this problem however if you are uncertain of the service intervals and has around 80k then i would suggest thinking of having the timing chain replaced as they only last for around 100k

m_p_rogers

oh really ? I thought all Z22SE's built prior to Mar 2002 had an issue with the oil lubritcating nozle ? I didn't realise it was specific only to vectra's and VX220's...

MikeS

mainly vectra b's and some vectra C's

dont quote me on the astra though as i am not 100% sure myself

but as i said around 80-100k get the chain replaced if you are feeling nervous about it

m_p_rogers

Thanks for your help matey.

solorider

the timing chain issues affects all astra,vectra,zafira and signums and it does not matter what year the car is,even the z22yh have timing chain issues,the 2.0 turbo as used in the vectra c has had no issues with the chain and the latest timing chain kits from vauxhall have the turbo tensioner,any pattern kit and kits off ebay do not have the latest tensioner.
as to your car if it does not rattle on start up you should be ok,if you are unsure get the chain kit changed

comet

Sorry if this goes a bit off line - but the information above seems to indicate that pre-2002 Vauxhalls fitted with this engine were subject to a recall. I've got a 2001 Vectra and never got any recall information from Vxhall. Did such a recall actually ever take place?