Vauxhall Zafira 2.2 Direct Timing Chain Advice Needed

[mabseuk]

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum. For the 2nd time in the cars life, the timing chain has started rattling again. I've already had the chain replaced once before, and Vauxhall met half the price, and after just 30k miles more, The Car had a service, including full oil change around 3 weeks prior to the noise appearing again. I took it into Vauxhall and they advised I needed a New Chain and a New Oil Pump, does this sound right? They wanted to charge £1,700 for the work, which is about as much as the car is worth. I'm in the Essex area, do you think I can get it cheaper than this as my only other options sounds like scraping the car now?

Thanks

Mabs

 

[vocky]

genuine chain kits are on ebay for £250 the pair, dealer price is more than double that, someone local should be able to help fit them

I have a brand new oil pump if you cannot locate one, £200 including postage

£750 is about the max you should be paying for all the work, including parts. Vauxhall labour rate is crazy.

 

[mabseuk]

genuine chain kits are on ebay for £250 the pair, dealer price is more than double that, someone local should be able to help fit them

I have a brand new oil pump if you cannot locate one, £200 including postage

£750 is about the max you should be paying for all the work, including parts. Vauxhall labour rate is crazy.

Thanks for this, do you know why they would have said the Oil Pump needs doing as well? Symptoms of the car are, got a slight rattle to start but when the engine got hot, the noise dissapeared. This went on for a few weeks. Now there is a constant rattle from start and it wont stop at all. Also the oil level of my car is no longer dropping like it used to.

Thx

 

[mabseuk]

I've tried a few Garages now, and cheapest so far is £900 exc V.A.T just for the chain without Oil Pump. Vauxhall are now quoting me £1300 for Chain with Pump. Seems local garages are not that much cheaper

 

[vocky]

not really likely to be the oil pump, more likely to be a failed tensioner

 

[mabseuk]

Well, here I am 10 months later, and the work is still not done and my car is still driving with the rattle from the chain. Money was not great so I took the view to keep driving it and if it went, then so be it, luckily she is still going. I've gone onto a mechanic comparison site, and for the Oil Pump and Chain kit had 3 quotes so far. For for £470 another for £699 and a final one who said they are a Vauxhall Specialist for £899. It feels like such a lottery and its a large job for someone to get something wrong.

 

[KevinH]

When the timimg chain was replaced previously was a new balance chain kit installed at the same time?

Ideally they should be changed at the same time because once you have the timing chain off it is prudent to renew the balance chain rather than do it at a later date to avoid labour costs.

Another possibility is the balance chain has stretched causing some 'slap' and the balance chain tensioner could have reached the end of its adjustment.

What year is the vehicle and how many miles has it covered?
Vauxhall recommends that both chains are replaced with new chain kits at 100.000 miles or 10 years whichever is sooner.

 

[KevinH]

If you are still looking to have the work done, I would recommend using genuine GM kits as aftermarket parts are just not reliable and some members here have found themselves having to do the job again.

Genuine part numbers for the Z22YH (Direct):

Camshaft Timing Chain Kit - 55569838 (This is the latest spec kit which includes the Z20NET timing chain tensioner)
Available here

Balance Chain Kit - 55563405
Available here

It's also a good idea to renew the front crankshaft oil seal which is seated in the water/oil pump/timing cover, as they tend to leak once disturbed. (part # - 55564509)
A new gasket is sometimes required for the cover but they can usually be reused (part # - 24435052)
...and an oil and filter change is prudent at the same time.

Not sure where you are located in the UK but I would thoroughly recommend evocarlos (based near Telford) as he has carried out timing and balance chain work for numerous members on this forum. He knows these engines thoroughly and will look after you. It's probably best to contact him via the forum using PM (conversation utility) for costs, but you'll be pleasantly surprised as he is very reasonable if you are willing to travel.

Hope this helps.