Hi people, new to the forum but had plenty of vauxhalls over the years.
I have the dreaded timing chain issue with my 55 plate Signum 2.2. I'll give you a quick run down of events. I know there's multiple threads on this, I apologise, but would like a few more opinions.
It was running totally fine, only use it the odd day in the week or usually just use it at the weekends. Noticed a bit of noise when starting it the last few times I used it. Jumped in it on a Saturday and thought it felt a little low on power, the misses used it on the Sunday to go work, she said it felt really slow and sluggish, then it wouldn't start after she finished work. No lights, on the dash no noises etc. Towed it home. Called the RAC the next day just to see if it was anything silly. He put all the diagnostic equipment on it derby thing came back ok, no codes, checked spark plugs, coils etc. Initially I thought it may have been the fuel pump but when he removed the plugs the engine was flooded with fuel, so that wasn't the issue. Then he said it was turning over a bit fast so could be low on compression, suspecting timing chain slippage/timing out. I left it that.
I've done a compression check on all cylinders, cylinders 1,2,3 read 55psi and cylinder 4 60psi. Obviously these are well below what they should be at 1/3. So my thought was that if the timing is out, the valves have not been damaged as if they were bent surely the cylinders wouldn't hold any pressure for any length of time??? Any other opinions are welcome.
Over the weekend I made a start on getting it apart. Took the cam cover off, all looks well, I'm no mechanic but have done a fair bit of engine work(head/cam swaps, timing belts etc)with mechanics and friends who are a bit more knowledgable than myself. I was obviously worried about valve damage so I thought I'd see evidence of this??? Opinions/advice welcome :-)
Just thought I'd ask for tips/advice on how/if there easier ways of getting access to make the job easier? I've got as far as removing cam cover, aux belt, set cylinder 4 to TDC, removed crank pulley. Next step from what I've read is remove the offside engine mount, supporting engine from underneath, exhaust etc
Now when I was setting cylinder 4 to TDC the chain was snagging and the rear cam sprocket teeth(exhaust?) began to just skip under the chain,lobes should be facing up 12 o'clock position according to the manual I have, but as the chain was skipping as I was doing it they were not, more like 3 o'clock???
I set #4 cylinder to TDC using a long screwdriver and marker pen as I slowly turned the crank pulley.
But when I fit my new sprockets and chain I should be able to reset this???
Anyway, that's my first post, a bit long winded I know but just want some advice from people a bit more in the know. Not the most positive either but hey ho.
Thanks for reading, all of it lol
