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How to replace timing belt on Vauxhall/Opel Combo C 1.6i

Published September 28, 2015

Replacement Interval Guide

  • Vauxhall recommend replacement as follows:
  • →96MY – replacement every 40,000 miles or 4 years, whichever occurs first.
  • 97-98MY – replacement every 80,000 miles or 8 years, whichever occurs first.
  • 99MY→ – replacement every 80,000 miles or 8 years, whichever occurs first (tensioner pulley must also be replaced).
  • Meriva – replacement every 80,000 miles or 8 years (tensioner pulley must also be replaced).
  • 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:
Corsa-C No information available.
Astra-G 0,80
Vectra-B 0,90
Meriva No information available.

Special Tools

  • Flywheel locking tool – Kent Moore No.KM-911.
  • Water pump wrench – Kent Moore No.KM-421-A.
  • Water pump wrench (Astra 2000→) – Kent Moore No.KM-421-B.
  • Water pump wrench (Meriva) – Kent Moore No.KM-6283.
  • Engine support tool (Astra →2000) – Kent Moore No.KM-6001.
  • Engine support tool (Astra 2000→) – Kent Moore No.KM-6001-A.
  • Engine alignment tool (Astra →2000) – Kent Moore No.KM-909-B.
  • Engine alignment tool (Astra 2000→) – Kent Moore No.KM-6173.
  • Auxiliary drive belt tensioner locking tool – Kent Moore No.KM-6130.
  • Engine alignment tool (Meriva →2004)- Kent Moore No.KM-6169-1.
  • Engine alignment tool (Meriva 2004→) – Kent Moore No.KM-6394.

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.
How to replace timing belt on Vauxhall/Opel Combo C 1.6i
How to replace timing belt on Vauxhall/Opel Combo C 1.6i

Removal

  1. Remove air filter housing.
  2. Raise and support front of vehicle.
  3. Remove:
      • RH front wheel.
      • RH inner wing panel.
  4. Mark direction of rotation on auxiliary drive belt with chalk.
  5. Except Corsa/Meriva/Astra 2000→: Turn auxiliary drive belt tensioner clockwise to release tension on belt. Use ring spanner.
  6. Corsa/Meriva/Astra 2000→: Turn auxiliary drive belt tensioner anti-clockwise to release tension on belt. Use ring spanner.
  7. Lock tensioner pulley. Use tool No.KM-6130.
  8. Remove:
      • Auxiliary drive belt.
      • Timing belt upper cover [1] .
  9. Astra →2000: Fit engine support and alignment tools. Tool Nos.KM-6001/KM-909-B.
  10. Astra 2000→: Fit engine support and alignment tools. Tool Nos.KM-6001-A/KM-6173.
  11. Meriva →2004: Fit engine support and alignment tool. Tool No.KM-6169-1.
  12. Meriva 2004→: Fit engine support and alignment tool. Tool No.KM-6394.
  13. Corsa/Astra: Remove:
      • Auxiliary drive belt tensioner.
  14. Astra: Remove:
      • RH engine mounting and bracket.
  15. Insert tool in bell housing to lock flywheel [2] . Tool No.KM-911.
  16. Remove:
      • Crankshaft pulley bolt [3] .
      • Crankshaft pulley [4] .
      • Timing belt lower cover [5] .
      • Flywheel locking tool [2] .
  17. Temporarily fit crankshaft pulley bolt.
  18. Turn crankshaft to TDC on No.1 cylinder. Ensure timing marks aligned [6] .
  19. Ensure camshaft timing mark aligned with notch in timing belt rear cover [7] .
  20. If not: Turn crankshaft one turn.
  21. Turn movable part of tensioner until holes aligned [8] . Insert suitable pin to hold tensioner.
  22. Remove timing belt.

Installation

  1. Ensure timing marks aligned [6] & [7] .
  2. Fit timing belt in anti-clockwise direction, starting at crankshaft sprocket. Ensure belt is taut between sprockets.
  3. Remove locking pin from tensioner [8] .
  4. Slacken water pump bolts [9] .
  5. Turn water pump clockwise to tension belt [10] . Use tool No.KM-421-A/KM-421-B/KM-6283.
  6. Movable part of tensioner must be against stop [11] .
  7. Lightly tighten water pump bolts [9] .
  8. Turn crankshaft two turns clockwise until timing marks aligned [6] & [7] .
  9. Slacken water pump bolts [9] .
  10. Turn water pump anti-clockwise [12] until tensioner pointer aligned with ‘V’ notch in support plate [13] . Use tool No.KM-421-A/KM-421-B/KM-6283.
  11. Tighten water pump bolts to 8 Nm [9] .
  12. Turn crankshaft two turns clockwise to TDC on No.1 cylinder. Ensure timing marks aligned [6] & [7] .
  13. If not: Repeat tensioning procedure.
  14. Insert tool in bell housing to lock flywheel [2] . Tool No.KM-911.
  15. Remove crankshaft pulley bolt [3] .
  16. Install components in reverse order of removal.
  17. Fit new crankshaft pulley bolt [3] . Tightening torque:
      • Corsa/Astra/Meriva – 95 Nm + 30° + 15°.
      • Vectra – 55 Nm + 45° + 15°.
  18. Remove flywheel locking tool [2] .
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Published in Combo C