If there are any noises coming from the timing chain area at all, then I would recommend having both the timing chain and balance chain kits fitted by Benny. I had a ticking noise coming from that area of the engine on cold start up which disappeared after a couple of minutes. After reading numerous posts, I suspected that the chains were at fault. My car is a 2.2 petrol vectra 04 with 73k covered and full Vauxhall service history. Being out of warranty period, Vauxhall were not interested, at least I tried! The noise started to get louder and last longer. Also the engine started to run like a sack of s&t and I was convinced that the exhaust was blowing somewhere.
I took it to my local garage as although I am a competent DIY mechanic, I've never tried changing a timing chain and felt a little out of my depth. The mechanic listened to it and couldn't decide what the noise was. He didn't feel confident tackling the chains and to his credit admitted that the job was too complex for him, he is a very experienced old school mechanic also.
I found a garage willing to do it, however, they wanted to charge nearly £1000 and said that they might have to take the engine out to replace the chains and it might take two days. I thought
boll%&”s to that and planned to do it myself in December. In the meantime, after reading good reports about Benny I contacted him through the forum and he arranged to fit me in on Saturday morning. I bought a balance chain kit and timing chain kit on Ebay making sure they were genuine Vauxhall parts. I travelled 120miles from Leeds and he was there to greet me bang on time. He cracked on and had the job done in three hours, charging a fraction of a specialist garage price. Watching him work was an education for me. He really knows his stuff. He is a top bloke and I would recommend him to anybody. He has worked on Vauxhall engines for years. He made changing the kits look so easy and took time to explain every step of the job. He really takes pride in his work. He found that a balance chain guide had snapped causing the balance chain to be slack, throwing the balance shafts out of time. Also the main timing chain had stretched. With the new kits fitted, the engine now runs like new, much quiter, smoother, no ticking etc. The exhaust blowing sound had been caused by balance shaft vibration with the saggy chains.
I was lucky that the chains hadn't jumped and killed the engine! I'm well happy.....engine saved by Benny! I would advise anybody with any similar noise to have both chain kits fitted asap by Benny if he can fit you in and make sure you buy genuine vauxhall parts.