Replacing the timing belt in the Opel Astra N Z18XER can be done by yourself. There is nothing complicated in the procedure, but all steps of the instructions should be followed clearly and carefully. Let's consider when to change the belt on an Opel Astra N with a Z18XER engine, what the delay in replacing the belt will lead to, and how, in practice, you can independently replace the timing belt of your car.
Timing for replacing the timing belt on an Opel Astra
For the Opel Astra H, the timing belt replacement schedule is 150 thousand kilometers. In practice, it is recommended to change the timing belt earlier, especially for cars operated in Russia. The harsh climate and poor quality of roads lead to accelerated wear of many car components, especially the gas distribution mechanism.
Experts say that the maximum time for replacing a belt on an Opel Astra N is 120 thousand km. Diagnostics of the belt condition should be carried out after 900 thousand km. If you do not follow the recommended timing, there is a high risk of the timing belt breaking on your Opel Astra.
If you find oil in the timing belt area of your Opel Astra, you should replace it without waiting for the specified period. The same applies to visible damage to the belt (cracks, stretching, wear at the ends, etc.). Oil indicates a leak in the system, in particular, damage to the shaft seals. Therefore, before installing a new timing belt, you need to find the damaged area and carry out repairs.
Often when a belt breaks, valves, pistons and guides bend. Therefore, if the timing belt on an Opel Astra breaks, it is necessary to carry out an accurate diagnosis, establish the scale of the disaster, and only then carry out repairs. In order not to lead to a break, do not be lazy to diagnose the belt in advance, without even waiting for the recommended period.
Engine and timing Opel Astra N
The Opel Astra N car was produced from 2004 to 2015, and since 2006 there was a restyle version. Over this fairly long period, the car was equipped with various power units:
- 1.4 l Z14XEP (90hp);
- 1.6 l Z16XER (115hp);
- 1.8 l Z18XER (140hp);
- 2.0 l Z20LER (200 hp);
- 2.0 l Z20LEH (240 hp).
The Z14XEP engine has a Twinport system and was installed exclusively on a 5-door hatchback. Z16XER and Z18XER have variable valve timing - this is the most common version of the power unit, which was installed on almost all cars (the exception was sports versions of the hatchback with 3 doors). The Z20LER and Z20LEH engines are equipped with turbocharging and are installed on a 3-door hatchback in the sport configuration.
Let's consider the process of replacing the engine timing belt on an Opel Astra 2008 (Z18XER). How to change the timing belt on an Astra N with a Z16XER engine, read.
How to change the timing belt on an Opel Astra (Z18XER)
- Removing the belt will help. units.
- Remove the air filter from the system.
- Unfasten the wheel on the front passenger side and remove the engine splash guard from there.
- Place the piston of the 1st cylinder at TDC.
- Unscrew the 3 bolts and remove the front timing cover.
(No. 1 – cover, No. 2 – fastenings)
Provided that you do not plan to change the timing belt (for example, you are carrying out diagnostics), be sure to make marks with a marker that will show which direction it was moving - otherwise, during assembly, you can confuse the direction, which will negatively affect the service life of the part.
- Unfasten the belt tension roller. units by unscrewing the fastening.
- Remove the crankshaft pulley.
(No. 1 – lower timing cover, No. 2 – cover fasteners, No. 3 – pulley fasteners, No. 4 – pulley).
- Remove fasteners No. 2 of the bottom cover (No. 1), and then dismantle the part.
- Remove the phase sensor (No. 2) from the block head – 2 pcs. fasteners.
- Support the motor with a support.
- Remove the right support (in figure No. 1) of the suspension - it is held in place by 3 fasteners on the power unit side and 3 on the body side.
- Do not completely unscrew the tension roller fastener (indicated as No. 2), then turn the roller counterclockwise with a wrench so that the tension device pointer (No. 2) is in the extreme left position. After this, the timing belt tension will weaken, and the bolt will need to be tightened again.
(B – location of the indicator when tensioning the new belt; A – location when tensioning the old belt; No. 1 – mark that allows you to control the tension of the old belt; No. 2 – indicator of the adjusting unit; No. 3 – mark that allows you to control the tension of the new belt)
- Remove the belt from the crankshaft timing pulley and then remove the spare part.
Recommendation! Together with the belt, change the rollers (tensioner and intermediate) and the pump every time - to replace these parts you will have to carry out all the previously described actions, and their service life, however, is not much longer than the service life of the belt. In addition, in cases where parts are not replaced, there is a high risk of damage to the entire system; the consequences for the internal combustion engine can be extremely serious.
Installing timing belt Opel Astra:
- Install the rollers and pump.
- The marks on the crankshaft and camshafts must match.
- Fix the belt on the crankshaft toothed pulley: the drive branch is wound behind the intermediate roller, after which it is tensioned and put on the camshaft pulleys. Next, fix the driven part on the toothed pulley of the pump, and then insert this part behind the tension roller.
- Unscrew, but not completely, the tension roller bolt (No. 2) and use a 3mm wrench to turn it clockwise until the pointer (No. 2) is opposite mark No. 1 (“USED” - used belt), or No. 3 (“NEW” - new belt). Re-tighten the bolt all the way.
- Screw the pulley bolt into the crankshaft shank and turn the shaft 2 turns so that the belt takes the optimal position relative to the pulleys.
- The alignment marks on the shafts must match. If this does not happen, you must repeat the procedure.
Opel Astra - how to set timing marks?
If you are going to change the timing belt on an Opel Astra yourself, use the diagram below to set marks on the shafts.
Once you have ensured that the belt is installed correctly - the Opel Astra timing marks match - you can install all other elements in the reverse order.
The cost of replacing the Opel Astra timing belt yourself
If you change the belt yourself, the cost of the work will be calculated from the cost of the parts being replaced. Below are the prices and catalog numbers of the necessary spare parts.
- the price of a timing belt for an Opel Astra is from 1100 to 2480 rubles. (Bosch 1987949590, Contitech CT1077, Dayco 94787);
- timing belt kit - from 3 to 8 thousand rubles. (RUVILLE 5535170);
- water pump + toothed belt kit - about 9,000 rubles. (RUVILLE 55351701);
- Timing repair kit Opel Astra H Z18XER – 5500-6500 rub. (Bosch 1987948215, Contitech CT1077K1, Dayco KTB562).
Now you know how long it takes to change the Opel Astra timing belt, how to replace the Opel Astra 1.6 and 1.4 timing belt (Z18XER engine), as well as how to check the belt and what signs will indicate the need for premature belt replacement.
The general principle can be found out by looking at the photo report, but a video demonstration has a significant advantage. Therefore, after watching a short video, you will probably no longer have all the questions regarding the correctness of replacing the timing belt on an Opel Astra with your own hands.
In principle, there are no difficulties, but everything must be done very carefully, otherwise disaster may happen.
When to change the timing belt Astra H
The exact frequency of replacing the timing belt has not been established; the maintenance regulations in the user manual advise check the belt every 30,000 km mileage or once every two years. If the inspection reveals abrasions, cracks, folds, undercuts, tooth wear, delamination and traces of oil, the belt must be changed.
If traces of oil are found on the timing belt, the belt must be changed immediately, the oil quickly corrodes the rubber. The reason why oil gets on the belt must also be eliminated immediately; usually the oil seals are to blame.
You also need to check the belt tension. With proper tension, it rotates no more than 90 degrees, with a finger pressure force of 15-20 N (1.5-2 kgf).
How to change the timing belt Astra H
We free access to the belt from above, then from below, remove the belt of the attachments, remove the pulley. Next, set the TDC and jack up the engine to remove the engine mount (otherwise the belt cannot be removed or installed). But before removing the old belt, you need to fix the shafts, and if you don’t have a special device for that in the garage, you can get by with a bolt and washers.
The video instructions are very brief without demonstrating the parts during replacement, but the main points are fully disclosed. Watch the video to the end and you will be able to replace the timing belt on an Opel Astra with your own hands.
When changing the belt, be sure to change the rollers (bypass and tension).
We begin to put on the belt from the bottom.
Engine Opel Astra n 1.6 liters 115 hp quite a popular power unit in our country. A reliable naturally aspirated engine was developed by German engineers taking into account all modern trends. The in-line 4-cylinder 16 valve engine of the Opel Astra h is an evolution of the Ecotec series. These gasoline units can be found not only on Opel, but also on other models of the global concern General Motors.
An engine that complies with Euro 4 environmental standards is marked Z16XER; if it is a re-flashed engine for Euro 5, then its name is A16XER. Although structurally, these are the same motor. Now let's talk about construction.
Device Opel Astra h 1.6
The basis of the engine design is a cast iron cylinder block. The cylinders are machined directly into the block. The 16-valve mechanism usually does not cause problems, since there are hydraulic compensators and there is no need to adjust the thermal clearance of the valves. The timing belt drive is based on the timing belt. But we’ll talk about the belt drive a little lower. The main feature of the engine can be considered a phase change system on both camshafts. It is this system that causes a lot of trouble. especially if you pour low-quality oil. After all, phase shifters work exclusively due to oil pressure, focusing on various sensors. If you hear a strange rattling sound (diesel sound) from under the hood, then do not rush to blame the hydraulic compensators; most likely it is the actuators of the CVCP variable valve timing system that have failed.
The operation of the CVCP phase change system is shown schematically in the following picture.
Timing device Opel Astra h 1.6
Astra engine timing diagram A16XER in the next photo.
Characteristics of Opel Astra h 1.6 (115 hp)
- Working volume – 1598 cm3
- Number of cylinders – 4
- Number of valves – 16
- Cylinder diameter – 79 mm
- Piston stroke – 81.5 mm
- Timing drive - belt
- Power hp (kW) – 115 (85) at 6000 rpm. per minute
- Torque – 155 Nm at 4000 rpm. per minute
- Maximum speed – 191 km/h
- Acceleration to the first hundred – 11.7 seconds
- Fuel type – gasoline AI-95
- Compression ratio – 10.8
- Fuel consumption in the city – 8.8 liters
- Fuel consumption on the highway – 5.5 liters
- Fuel consumption in the combined cycle – 6.8 liters
With proper and timely maintenance, this power unit can travel for quite a long time, without any problems at all. The engine is assembled at the Opel plant in Hungary in the town of Szentgotthard. The A16XER/Z16XER engine can be found in the Opel Astra, Mokka, Insignia and, of course, in the Chevrolet Cruze (although there it easily produces 124 hp).
If you do not replace the timing belt on your Opel Astra in time, the intake and exhaust valves will begin to hit the pistons and become bent, and the cylinder walls may also become unusable. Therefore, when there is a suspicion that the timing belt is broken, do not start the car, but tow it to a service station. When the timing belt breaks, the oil pressure, “check engine”, car wrench and oil level gauge lights up on the dashboard.
After a break, oil begins to leak from under the valve cover, and on some Astras, antifreeze also leaks due to the fact that the pump also rotates from the timing belt. To prevent this from happening, we recommend changing the timing belt on your Opel Astra every 5 years or every 80,000 km. The instruction manual indicates a figure of 90,000 km, but in Russia difficult conditions and spare parts fail faster due to cold weather, bad roads and caustic chemicals that are sprinkled on the asphalt.
Specialists of the Opel-Robot service center strongly advise when replacing the Opel Astra timing belt to buy only original spare parts and use the services of experienced specialists. A low-quality belt can break at any time, after which the valves will bend and the entire engine will need to be rebuilt. Therefore, at our station we use only high-quality timing belt replacement kits.
How to change the timing belt on an Opel Astra
Without experience, it is almost impossible to replace the timing belt correctly. The fact is that the timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, and when the first makes two revolutions, the second makes only one. This ensures that the valves operate in sequence.
Therefore, when installing the belt, you need to accurately calculate the position of both shafts to ensure full operation of the gas distribution system. If this is not done, the valves will work out of step and the engine will start to stall. In addition, there are many more nuances that need to be taken into account when replacing the timing belt of a non-Opel Astra.
In general terms, replacing the timing belt goes like this:
- Remove the minus from the battery.
- We unscrew the front wheel on the side opposite to the driver.
- We dismantle the crankcase protection (if installed).
- From the timing belt side, unscrew the engine mount.
- Remove the generator and tension roller.
- Remove the timing case and unscrew the mounting bolt from the flywheel.
- Remove the crankshaft pulley. Rotate it until the marks on both camshafts are facing each other.
- We fix the camshaft gears, loosen the tensioner bolt and remove the timing belt.
- We dismantle the rollers, tensioners and pump. We replace them with new ones.
- We put on the timing belt so that the marks match.
- We assemble everything in the same order in which we took it apart.
It may seem that replacing the Opel Astra timing belt is a simple manipulation that can be performed even by an untrained person. This is wrong. To correctly install the timing drive, you need to do this operation a hundred times. It is necessary to learn the procedure and remember the location of the marks on the camshafts. Without this, it is impossible to do this work efficiently. Believe me. Many times we have had to re-mark camshafts after incorrect repairs. Only after proper adjustment does the engine stop stalling and start running smoothly.
Replacing the timing belt at the Opel-Robot service center
Opel-Robot center specialists replace timing belts on any Opel models. All work is carried out using professional equipment by experienced craftsmen. A timing belt repair kit for the Opel Astra can be purchased directly from the service station - all spare parts are located at the station and you do not have to wait for their delivery.
The price of service at Opel-Robot is low when compared with official dealers, who artificially inflate the cost. We do not raise prices, because our reputation and the impression we make on clients are important to us, because satisfied clients come back again and in addition bring friends, and for us this is truly profitable. Therefore, we pay special attention to the quality of repairs. Call for details and to sign up for maintenance.
Probably no one will doubt that the condition of the car must be constantly monitored. This statement also applies to the gas distribution mechanism. This unit is responsible for removing gases and synchronizing the operation of shafts and cylinders. The camshaft is connected to the crankshaft using a drive. This is the detail we will talk about here. The Opel Astra h 1.6 uses a belt as a drive. The quality of functioning of the entire unit depends on it. The belt is a closed ring, which has teeth on the inside, with which it engages with the gears of the camshaft and crankshaft.
The timing belt also drives the pump and oil supply pump. Such a load leads to premature wear of the belt, after which the question of replacing it arises. In order not to trace the moment of final wear of the drive and other parts of the car, you need to periodically look under its hood. The car's power may well be weakened by sagging drive.
What are the dangers of a broken belt?
Sometimes the belt breaks. As a rule, this happens to careless motorists who do not want to take care of their car. After a belt breaks, a meeting of pistons and valves is inevitable. The valves will then bend and the pistons and cylinders will suffer. Repairs after this will be expensive, so it’s better not to let it get to that point and change the belt on time.
At first glance, this may seem like a very difficult task, but this is only at first glance. Many, even inexperienced, car enthusiasts cope with this task themselves, without the help of professionals. It is recommended to change the belt after 150,000 kilometers. This recommendation should be taken as a guideline, but you should still not forget about periodic diagnostics, since the belt may wear out ahead of schedule. This can be caused by various factors, including special driving conditions on Russian roads and incorrect installation of the belt. If the drive is installed incorrectly, it may fly off, which will inevitably lead to premature wear.
If during inspection of the unit you notice that the drive is covered with cracks, if bulges or depressions have formed on it, this is a clear signal to replace it. Finding oil stains doesn't bode well either. This means that it is time to change the belt, as the oil corrodes the rubber. In this case, you will also have to change the seals, because if this is not done, then little will drip onto the new belt. It won't last long like this. Sometimes chips appear on the teeth. Obvious signs of wear are also a signal to replace the belt. It is necessary to change it both when the structure delaminates and when hanging threads appear at the ends.
Replacement process
Replacement should only be done when the engine is cool. It is better to do this on an overpass, but it is quite possible to get by with a jack. If during the diagnostic process it is revealed that the pump also needs to be changed, then do not forget to buy antifreeze, since the old one will have to be drained.
So, first we turn off the power to the car. To do this, disconnect the battery terminal. We remove the front wheel on the right, first lifting the car with a jack, and remove the air filter and the right mudguard. The timing mechanism cover is secured with two bolts, unscrew them and remove the cover.
It is not at all necessary that you remove the belt to replace it; the drive is sometimes removed for another purpose. In this case, mark the direction of its movement with a felt-tip pen. The whole point here is that the teeth get used to the gears during operation, and if the direction is changed, this may well cause their premature wear. Now unscrew the pulley fastening bolt and remove the pulley.
The pulley bolt will not be easy to unscrew. To do this, you need to secure the crankshaft from turning. This is done as follows: the assistant, while driving, presses the brake all the way in 5th gear. Now we remove the drive roller of the auxiliary units.
Now we need to dismantle the lower timing case. To do this you will have to unscrew 4 bolts.
Now, using a hexagon, we release the tension on the intermediate roller. There is no need to remove it completely. After this, use the second key to turn the roller clockwise until the very end. After this, the timing belt will loosen.
Unscrew the intermediate roller and remove the belt from the crankshaft pulley.
After this, you can completely remove the belt.
Do not forget to inspect the condition of the rollers, and it is better to change them immediately when replacing the belt, so as not to disassemble the entire mechanism again to replace the rollers. If the rollers are not replaced on time, this may cause their destruction. They are easy to remove, just unscrew the mounting bolts.
Be sure to check the marks on the crankshaft and camshafts, and then place the new drive on the crankshaft pulley. Then the belt is put on the camshaft rollers, for which it needs to be wound behind the intermediate roller. We turn the tension roller clockwise and wind the belt behind it. Now the spring will stop acting on the tension roller, and it will take the desired position. To ensure sufficient belt tension, you need to turn the crankshaft 2 times, for which a pulley mounting bolt is screwed into its shank.
Check the alignment of the marks on the shafts again. If they do not match, the belt installation will have to be repeated. All other parts are installed in the reverse order.
Replacement video. Step-by-step instruction
