My z22se chain(?) saga

peester

Hi. I washed my astra yesterday (at my parents house) and afterwards came to fire it up to move it and right away its rattling. I gently eased the car off the drive onto the side of the road and 30 secs later switched it off. I think its the chain, and have since left it at my parents and got in touch with benny who's requested a vid.
I just fancied posting a link to the vid up on here to get some opinions perhaps, whilst i await benny's verdict. (If its possible to guess from the video i shot)
The more i watch the vid (i dont fancy to keep starting the car in real life to draw a conclusion) the more im thinking manifold blowing.. But at the time shooting the vid i just focused on the chain area and top of head/rocker area.
Anyway, link to said video.

https://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v11/p ... CN1598.mp4

Feel free to comment. Car is a dec 2002 astra g sri z22se 53k i use 5-30 gm oil, last change about 1500 miles ago. Ive only owned the car since August (51k) came with FSH- none of the services stamped show the chain being serviced/replaced or any other major work - nor any details of what oil was perviously used.

peester

:thumbdown: hmm. Is it too tricky to tell from the video?..
Was hoping for some replies lol.

jwalker

Take the heatshield off and check the manifold to see if it's cracked, then you can see if it's causing the problem before worrying about the chain

vocky

a bit difficult to tell, does seem raspy so possibly a cracked exhaust manifold, the chain noise is usually in the first few seconds when starting, so perhaps a vid of the start up might help

MikeS

has it got enough oil ?

when the chains go they sounds like a nasty diesel engine with a tapping sound

peester

Thanks for the replies. Ive looked at the manifold and its nice and clean, we leak tested it as best we could anyway but its all fine .. it is too obvious the noise is coming from the chain area- the car sounded like its misfiring a bit now too..

Vid of startup. Smoke is the leak test spray evaporating off manifold.
https://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v11/p ... CN1603.mp4

EDIT:- oil wise the level was just below half. Still very clear since the change in October.

vocky

don't start it any more, get the chain inspected and most likely will need to be replaced 🙁

peester

Just to update; as I'm rounding up quotes and possibilities I've had the odd person claim fai kits and other non gen brands are as good as genuine or even are made for vauxhall Gen kits.. Also that only timing can be got away with changing..

astra22bertoneauto

its best to replace both kits with genuine Gm ones. you get the new version tensioner with GM kit. A couple of people on here have complained about FAI kits, how good they are i dont know as ive always got genuine kits.

Where are you from?

peester

Yeah I thought as much.. I'm in stafford mate , midlands. Been talking to Benny amongst others.

astra22bertoneauto

peester said:
Yeah I thought as much.. I'm in stafford mate , midlands. Been talking to Benny amongst others.

You wont go wrong with Benny, a lot of people recommend him :thumbup: