Around 3 months ago I had my 2005 Zafira 2.2 Auto recovered to the local main dealer because the engine had suddenly become noisy following a short 2 mile journey.
Initially I was advised a cam chain tensioner had probably failed and I was looking at a £1000 bill to replace the cam chain and tensioners! I was stunned at the cost but had no alternative but to authorise the repair.
30 mins later the dealership called to say they'd found the oil filter had colapsed and an oil change and new filter would also be required. (The car had been serviced around 6 months earlier and only covered 4k miles since the oil change)
Later in the day the dealer rang and said the oil and filter change had cured the noise and the car was ready to be collected without the need to replace the cam chain etc
Over the last few months I've been driving the car around with a niggling worry in the back of my mind that the cam chain and/or tensioners may be knackered after all but haven't done anything about it due to the cost. Occasionally there is a rattle for around half a second when the engine is started from cold.
I'm no mechanic but if I do indeed need a new cam chain & tensioners then I'm guessing the issue has most likely been caused by the colapse of the oil filter and oil starvation of the chain etc. Would you agree?
From the posts I've read most premature wear of the cam chain was on vehicles of 2001 and earlier. Are there known issues with cam chains on newer vehicles, eg 2005 having only covered 37k miles?
Given it's age I doubt they'll help but if there are known issues I may take it to another main dealer and see if I can get Vauxhall to contribute to the cost of a cam chain replacement.
Is £1000 to replace the cam chain, tensioners, etc excessive as I've tried two local main dealers and one independent and been quoted similar by all.
Thanks