Timing Chain/Nozzle Pictures

Thorpester

I have now got problems with my SRI timing chain rattling, and is curerntly parked on my driveway.

It is an X plate, approx 64.5k mileage, and registered Nov 00.

My Engine Number is TA009687, Chassis Number W0L0JBF6817011551.

I've checked the recall info, and it wasn't on the recall list, but had a re-work for the air con, which I don't know whether has been dealt with.

I've been told by my local mechanic that it is definitely the timing chain rattling, and Customer Services have told me to take it to the dealership where I got it from. They also gave me a Customer Care Case Reference Number. They initially tried to fob me off to say my mileage was too high, and that I needed a full VX service history. I told them straight that this was a major problem that vauxhall are aware of and even though my car wasn't in the recall, I shouldn't have a faulty chain at 64.5k mileage. I also quoted to them Field Remedy 1532.

I actually bought the car from the dealership in May 04, and am only the 2nd owner. My car has had one private service to date as the car hasn't even done 20K since I bought it.

I have searched thoroughly several websites/forums to get the picture straight in my head on the problems surrounding the timing chain and am fully going to pursue this as far as I can with regards VX stumping up to rectify the problem without any extra charge to myself.

Having regard to my model, would it be fair to say that I have the old oil nozzle in my engine?

Does anybody have any pictures of the cam chain tensioner before any cut outs have been made?

I just need to know what I'm looking for before I go back to the dealership.

Cheers
I've given Customer Services a call and advised them that

JasGriff

Have a search in this thread m8e there are plently of pics

https://z22se.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1603&highlight=chain+pic

https://z22se.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8&highlight=chain+pic

Mark_Dj

Here is a close up of the Nozzle. I hope it all goes well for you at Vauxhall 🙂

[albumimg]1[/albumimg]
And again...
[albumimg]2[/albumimg]

Thorpester

Thanks for the pics and links, very much appreciated 😃

I'm aware of the chassis numbers on the recall, but I'm unsure how to check mine.

Can anybody tell me anything on the details listed earlier?

And, can anybody answer the previous question on whether my SRI would have the old oil nozzle?

Cheers 8)

vocky

which vehicle do you have: astra, vectra, vx220, zafira notsure.gif

but basically the oil jet in the upper picture on the left is the new jet, the old jet is on the right

the new jet is about 4mm and the old is about 1mm

Thorpester

Its the Vectra SRI 150 2.2.

As above, it's an X plate, registered in Nov 00. Chassi/engine numbers are also above.

vocky

your vec was built in Luton, so should be a hatchback or estate (all saloons were built in Germany)

it was built before the affected range started, but that is not a guarantee that it's ok

the only way to tell is to look at the oil jet, but this is inside the engine, behind the cam chain cover

but I would certainly fight over the bill, it's outrageous that vx never recalled the timing chains

I had to pay for my replacement chain, luckily I spotted that oneside of the oil jet was blocked, whilst I was fitting a ported head + cams

Thorpester

I have my mechanic as I write this actually taking the cam cover off to have a look to see if the old style oil nozzle has been fitted. He is going to take photo's with my digital camera.

My next move, if discovered I have the faulty nozzle, is to take a trip to VX and get them to replace the chain etc. The car is still running and the chain hasn't snapped, so do VX want to pay for a replacement chain and nozzle etc, or do they want pay £1000's for a new engine!!!!

I'll keep updating this thread as I go on.

Cheers

vocky

chain kit is £92, if the chain cover is off I would fit the new chain kit

it would only take your mechanic about 45 minutes longer

then claim back off vx the costs involved

Thorpester

Surprise Surprise, my car has been fitted with the old style oil nozzle!!!! and I have the pictures to prove it. See below.

Looks like the recall on the chassis numbers is blown to bits, as mine is an an earlier model.

If VX were aware of the faulty nozzle on models prior to the recall models then why wasn't a recall made on other models outside the chassis range on the recall. The S**t is going to hit the fan because it obviously effects cars before the recall.

I have to take my car to VX tomorrow in any event as they won't do anything until they have had the chance to look at my car. Hence my mechanic taking the necessary pictures before VX get their hands on my car. I'll have a trip down to VX tomorrow to have them consider the rattle of the timing chain, and to have them replace my nozzle, other parts and the timing chain. Further pictures prove the chain is also brown in colour to indicate the old chain.

I actually bought my car from the dealership in May 2004 after they were aware of the recall, therefore why wasn't it checked before they sold it me!!!!!!! Another question to ask VX.

Another update soon!!!

vocky

there has never been a recall for the timing chain :shock:

General Motors are aware of the problem, but it affects ALL the early z2.2se's in the world, so that's serious money - millions of pounds :shock: :shock:

so they have turned a blind eye to it

Mark_Dj

I wonder if mine is ok? I have a 2000 X reg Astra Sri with full dealer service history with 43.000 on the clock. I might ask them about it next time I visit them. The recall was for the oil nozzle I believe..

Thorpester

As far as I understand it, it was for the nozzle. But how long do you have to wait before your engine gets F*****d when the timing chain isn't oiled properly and it snaps?

Mark_Dj

True mate. I would think a new chain would be needed if it's been getting dried up from lack of oil for sure.

vocky

my jet only blocked one side, but comparing the new chain to the old, I found the old chain had stretched

it is best to fit the new timing chain kit, it's only £92 + fitting and then it will last 100k 🙂

Thorpester

Having now had VX dealership consider my timing chain, and having the same referred to customer services, I have had confirmation that VX will contribute 50% towards the costs of the repairs.

I haven't accepted this yet, or refused, but have been on to customer services myself again, and basically informed them that when I bought my car from VX dealer, they sold me a car with a faulty part, oil nozzle. The car was therefore inherently faulty and was not of satisfactory quality. Breaching the sale of goods act.

They are to get back to me!!!

Mark_Dj

Keep at them mate. I am sure it will all go good for you in the end 🙂

Thorpester

I've yet again been speaking with a customer services 'manager' and VX dealer on the outstanding problem with the oil nozzle. It seems I'm being passed from pillar to post on this issues I keep raising with them.

Basically I wanted to know whether there was the possibility that the oil nozzle on my car is the same/identical to the one fitted on the SRI's on the recall list. CS's reply in trying their best to put me off, said that the nozzles on the recall list were from a 'faulty' batch. How were they faulty and how are the ones not on the recall list not faulty? They couldn't tell me!!

Then how do I know, and how can they prove that mine wasn't one of the faulty nozzles? They couldnâ€™t tell me either, but it was a VX decision that the faulty nozzles only related to the chassis numbers on the recall list.

I also asked surely they have records relating to the manufacturing of my car, which would tell them. They probably do was their reply, but it would take an absolute age to get this if they needed to. CS's did say that the nozzles have a parts number. OK, what was the part number for the oil nozzle on my car? They couldnâ€™t tell me, but their Technical Department may have this. I asked for this department's number, but unfortunately they donâ€™t speak direct to customers and I couldn't have it!!

As far as I'm aware there have only ever been 2 nozzles. The old faulty one, then the new one fitted after March 2002. How can a mechanic possible tell if the oil nozzle on my car was/wasn't part of a 'faulty' batch? Do the nozzles have any specific numbers imprinted on them to identify them? â€“ Please let me know anyone, and if anybody knows - Where were the oil nozzles manufactured? Were they all from the same place?

OK, getting pretty pi**ed off by now as I'm not getting anywhere with any straight answers.

I asked if I have the VX mechanic strip my car, and it is discovered that my oil nozzle is completely identical to the one for the recall list, what will happen next? Apparently the dealership will then have to discuss matters further with VX?

I just have a few questions if anybody can answer them:

1 â€“ Does anybody know of the 'faulty' batch issue? Or is this just something to try and put me off?

2 â€“ How do I know if mine wasn't part of any 'faulty' batch?

3 â€“ Do the old oil nozzles have any kind of imprint on them to say where they came from?

4 â€“ I have a picture of the old nozzle, courtesy of the forum, and my nozzle is indeed identical to the photo. Therefore as far as I am concerned I have an identical nozzle to the faulty one. What do you think VX/dealership will do once they discover I have the old one?

5 â€“ The forum has specific accounts of oil nozzles not in the recall that have been faulty, and caused untold damage. Therefore, can/should Vauxhall admit liability for all other oil nozzles that weren't on the recall list?

I just want to have a fair crack at what I think is a fundamental issue with VX, and canâ€™t see any other way at the moment that this is going to settle quickly without the threat of legal action at the moment.

Again I have had the old chestnut of having an old car that's nearly 6 yrs old with high mileage. My car may be an older model, but it doesn't escape the fact that my car may have a faulty part on it. Also it's only done 64.8k miles, and I've told all of them that the chain should last longer than this.

Back to VX Dealer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

vocky

it's quite simple,

there's the early type oil jet - which blocks and you have in your engine

then there's the later type oil jet - which doesn't block and is part of the new timing chain kit

they are trying to fob you off 🙁

Jatie_150

Why modify the oil jet on the new cam chain kit & after 2002 ??????? notsure.gif

They know the problems keep @ them cos I will be myself if they fob me off on Monday :evil: