Going to try it myself

Mark_Dj

What tools do I need to do a timing chain? It's about time I learned how to do it. Whats the trade price for a cam chain kit from Vauxhall? I am bound to need a torque wrench also. Is it a hard job? I know a few members on here have done it before. Cheers for any info

vocky

no special tools required, just a decent socket to fit the crank bolt and a long bar lever thingy

trade price probably under £100 including gaskets for the chain kit, very easy to change the chain kit especially with the front end off

you do need a torque wrench though 🙂

Mark_Dj

Can you recommend a decent torque wrench? I will buy one then get the kit for my car. Cheers Neil 🙂

vocky

buy a good one and it will last years, mines over twenty years old !

Mark_Dj

I might be able to get a lend of one from work, if the mechanic has one. He works on the trucks next to me so he should have one. If not I will grab a decent one, I could do with one anyway. Cheers

george

vocky said:
no special tools required, just a decent socket to fit the crank bolt and a long bar lever thingy

trade price probably under £100 including gaskets for the chain kit, very easy to change the chain kit especially with the front end off
you do need a torque wrench though 🙂

especially with the front end off sorry for being thick vocky but what do you mean by this? Also please :-

What size socket is crank bolt?
Is it possible to remove sump with car jacked up on driveway? Cos apart from changing chain kit have to remove head to investigate oil smoke problem and zero compression on No.1 cylinder which may mean looking at piston rings ( sump removal ) if its not the oil seals and/or burnt or valves.

vocky

Mark Dj has the front end removed from his vectra, so easy access

crank bolt is 21mm

sump can be removed with engine in situ, but you need to use some blue silicone sealant as there is no gasket !

oil rings are probably 'gunged' up

george

vocky said:

oil rings are probably 'gunged' up

Just a thought is there any way of 'un-gunging' them without having to take head off, sump off, and pistons out? Like some penitrating oil/ additive or is this just wishfull thinking and any ideas why it appears to just be happening on no.1 cylinder only? notsure.gif

vocky

no easy fix, remove piston rings and clean the ring slots

it's possible no.1 might have a bent valve, removing the head will reveal all

winstar

Mark Dj said:
Can you recommend a decent torque wrench? I will buy one then get the kit for my car. Cheers Neil 🙂

The halfords pro torque wrenchs are good ones

You'll also need an angle gauge for the crank pulley and cam sprocket yeild bolts. Oh and a 24mm (IIRC) spanner for the holding the cam shafts while you undo tighted the cam sprocket nuts.

Mark_Dj

I have a few spanners at home. I just need a torque wrench next. Can I strip mine all down now and take the chain off, or wait til I get the new chain first? Do the gaskets come with the chain kit? If not do you have a part number for them please

vocky

Timing Chain Kit = 12577385 £93 +VAT

Crank Seal = 90571925 £11.40 +VAT

Timing Cover Gasket = 24435052 £7.40 +VAT

Crank Bolt = 11589123 £2.76 +VAT

Mark_Dj

Thanks Neil 🙂

Mark_Dj

If I take the top end off now can I tell if I have the old oil jet Neil? Or can I tell by the colour of the links on my chain? I am bored, might strip it down a little then put the top back on til I get the chain.

vocky

just remove the cam cover and turn the engine over with the crank bolt, see what colour the links are; blue + purple = late spec

vectra2k9

did you get it done ?

Matt

Well it was 18 months ago, but I think he did.

vocky

vectra2k9 said:
did you get it done ?

he did, I found the thread and made it a 'sticky' as it's a DIY how 2 :thumbup:

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