How to replace timing belt on Vauxhall/Opel Frontera B 3.2i

Replacement Interval Guide

• Vauxhall recommend replacement as follows:
• →95MY – replacement every 54,000 miles or 6 years, whichever occurs first.
• 96-98MY – replacement every 60,000 miles or 6 years, whichever occurs first.
• 98½MY→ – replacement every 80,000 miles.
• The previous use and service history of the vehicle must always be taken into account.

Check For Engine Damage

CAUTION: This engine has been identified as an INTERFERENCE engine in which the possibility of valve-to-piston damage in the event of a timing belt failure is MOST LIKELY to occur. A compression check of all cylinders should be performed before removing the cylinder head.

Repair Times – hrs

Remove & install:
Monterey (→1998)	2,00
Monterey (1999→)	1,60
AC	+0,20
Frontera	1,90

Special Tools

• None required.

Special Precautions

• Disconnect battery earth lead.
• DO NOT turn crankshaft or camshaft when timing belt removed.
• Remove spark plugs to ease turning engine.
• Turn engine in normal direction of rotation (unless otherwise stated).
• DO NOT turn engine via camshaft or other sprockets.
• Observe all tightening torques.

Removal

1. Remove:
   • Air filter and hose.
   • Upper radiator shroud.
   • Lower radiator shroud.
   • Cooling fan and viscous coupling.
   • Auxiliary drive belt(s).
   • Cooling fan pulley.
   • PAS pump pulley.
   • Auxiliary drive belt tensioner.
   • Oil cooler hose.
   • Crankshaft pulley bolt [1] .
   • Crankshaft pulley [2] .
   • Timing belt RH upper cover [3] .
   • Timing belt LH upper cover [4] .
   • Timing belt lower cover [5] .
2. Temporarily fit crankshaft pulley bolt [1] . Turn crankshaft clockwise until timing marks aligned [6] & [7] .

   NOTE: Some engines have alternative location for timing marks of camshaft sprockets [7] .

3. Early engines with eccentric tensioner pulley:
   • Slacken tensioner pulley bolt [10] .
   • Turn tensioner clockwise away from belt.
   • Lightly tighten bolt.
4. Remove:
   • Automatic tensioner unit bolts [11] .
   • Automatic tensioner unit [12] .
   • Timing belt.

Installation

1. Ensure timing marks aligned [6] & [7] .

   NOTE: DOHC: Due to uneven gear ratio between camshafts and sprocket idler shafts, correct camshaft alignment may have been lost if engine has been overhauled or timing belt was broken.

2. Fit timing belt in anti-clockwise direction, starting at crankshaft sprocket. Ensure belt is taut between sprockets on non-tensioned side.
3. Ensure marks on belt [8] & [9] aligned with marks on sprockets [6] & [7] .

   NOTE: Letters on belt should be readable from front of engine [13] .

4. Slowly compress pushrod into tensioner body [12] with a force of approximately 100 kg until holes aligned.
5. Retain pushrod with 1,4 mm diameter pin through hole in tensioner body [14] .
6. Install automatic tensioner unit to cylinder block. Tighten bolts [11] . Monterey →1998: 19 Nm. Monterey 1999→/Frontera: 25 Nm.
7. Early engines with eccentric tensioner pulley:
   • Slacken tensioner pulley bolt [10] .
   • Turn tensioner anti-clockwise to tension belt.
   • Tighten bolt to 42 Nm.
8. Remove pin from tensioner body to release pushrod.
9. Temporarily fit crankshaft pulley [2] .
10. Turn crankshaft slowly two turns clockwise. Ensure timing marks aligned [6] & [7] .
11. Check extended length of pushrod is 4,0-6,0 mm [15] .
12. If not:
    • Slowly compress pushrod into tensioner body [12] with a force of approximately 100 kg until holes aligned.
    • Retain pushrod with 1,4 mm diameter pin through hole in tensioner body [14] .
    • Install automatic tensioner unit to cylinder block. Tighten bolts [11] . Monterey →1998: 19 Nm. Monterey 1999→/Frontera: 25 Nm.
    • Early engines with eccentric tensioner pulley:
    • Slacken tensioner pulley bolt [10] .
    • Turn tensioner anti-clockwise to tension belt.
    • Tighten bolt to 42 Nm.
    • Remove pin from tensioner body to release pushrod.
    • Temporarily fit crankshaft pulley [2] .
    • Turn crankshaft slowly two turns clockwise.
    • Check extended length of pushrod is 4,0-6,0 mm [15] .
13. Install components in reverse order of removal.
14. Tighten crankshaft pulley bolt [1] . Tightening torque: 167 Nm.