Vauxhall Corsa B (1993 - 2000) - 97 1.2, any tips and technical data?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Sat 17 Nov 2007 17:27
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Just bought a 1997 Corsa 1.2LS 3 door for a newly qualified driver.
One or two things to sort out. A Haynes manual is a priority.
Think the thermostat needs changing as the temperature only climbs a bit on hills.
Where is the thermostat?
Not got a handbook or manual yet. Any free downloads around?
Drives very nicely but a bit pre distressed bodyworkwise.Watch this space.

Edited by Pugugly {P} on 17/11/2007 at 17:33

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 17 Nov 2007 18:36
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - ChicksFan
Plenty of manuals come up on eBay. Can usually get for a tenner or so.

Thermostat is a pig. You need to remove the timing belt and camshaft sprocket as it is behind the upper rear timing belt cover. If I were you, as long as the heater works, i.e. gets hot when required, I would leave the thermostat and change it when the timing belt is next due for renewal (every 36,000 miles).

Don't use supermarket petrol in it, ours won't run properly on it. I stick to Texaco, Shell, BP, Esso and Total.

Servicing is a cinch.

Best Wishes, Ron
1995 C280 Elegance (for comfort)
1995 Corsa Swing (for daily commute)
2005 206CC Allure (for fun)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 17 Nov 2007 19:46
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}
Thanks for the info.
Mileage is 72000 so I guess the cam belt change is now due!
Oh well. What is a rough figure for an independent to change (plus thermostat)?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 18 Nov 2007 01:07
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - ChicksFan
I normally do my own. The belt costs about £15 max and a thermostat less than that. Fresh antifreeze might be an idea at the same time.

A garage would advise changing the water pump too, because if that goes shortly afterwards you have the same amount of work all over again. I GUESS a garage would charge around £200 all in.

As I do my own maintenance though, I wouldn't change the water pump (unless there was any sign of a leak) because its only a morning's work anyway. However if you're having to pay a garage it's worth getting them to do it.

I bought a 1.4 Corsa for a friend recently, and negotiated the price down because it had done 72k and the seller couldn't confirm that the belt had been changed. When we got it home I slipped the cam belt cover back to sneak a look at the belt. Guess what, it had a vitually brand new one on it, and the seller didn't know it had been done at the last service. He knew it had been serviced but didn't know the belt had been renewed. I was delighted, and so was my friend who the car was for.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 18 Nov 2007 07:32
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - Andrew Scott
Thermostat is a pig. You need to remove the timing belt and camshaft sprocket as
it is behind the upper rear timing belt cover. If I were you as long
as the heater works i.e. gets hot when required I would leave the thermostat and



I think the 1.2 model is chain cam-your comment regarding the thermostat applies to the 1.4 engine also fitted to the Astra (f) of the same age, of course I stand to be corrected! Hope this helps. Andrew



Edited by Pugugly {P} on 18/11/2007 at 11:03

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 18 Nov 2007 10:07
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - Ruperts Trooper
Vauxhall 1.2 engines are cam-belt 8v smallblock GM or cam-chain 16v Suzuki.

As Andrew says, it's the 1.4 16v and 1.6 16v engines which need the cambelt removing to get at the thermostat.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 18 Nov 2007 10:42
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - ChicksFan
I'm not going to argue, but John, I'm sure you'll find that I am right.

With your knowledge of cars and motorcycles you'll lift the bonnet and soon see.

Let us know mate.

Best Wishes, Ron

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 18 Nov 2007 12:12
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - bell boy
these are pretty simple engines to work on GWS get a haynes £15 from halfords and have a look with a view to doing it yourself,it does want doing as otherwise you run the risk of it making the head gasket go.
be aware that the silly bolts holding the water pump in can shear and also the pump itself welds itself to the block
star rating ?..........3 stars out of 5 i reckon
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 18 Nov 2007 13:38
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - Dynamic Dave
If it is the 8 valve engine, then 80,000 miles / 8 years applies for the cambelt change. However, I would still go for 40,000 miles / 4 years as it's the belt tensioner that doesn't always go the full distance. A lot of people say the 8 valve engine is a 'safe' engine (in that pistons won't kiss the valves if the belt breaks) but I've heard of a few instances where this has happened - admittedly while the engine was being worked rather than poodling along.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 18/11/2007 at 13:39

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 18 Nov 2007 13:46
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - Pugugly {P}
Common sense would dictate a cambelt and tensioner change when you buy a car with a known vulnerability in his area regardless of mileage.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 21 Nov 2007 14:10
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - keithd
I have changed a thermostat on a '97 1.2 8 valve. Haynes says that the rear timing belt cover needs removing to access the thermostat. However, I found that with a little manoeuvring of the rear cover the thermostat can be replaced without removing this cover and therefore no need to remove the timing belt completely.

So if you don't want to replace the belt just yet, you remove the front belt cover and the valve cover. Mark the belt and camshaft sprocket to ensure correct positioning on reassembly (the camshaft is keyed if I remember correctly). Using a spanner hold the camshaft still and loosen the sprocket and slide off the belt and sprocket to access the thermostat.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Apr 2013 22:26
97 1.2, any tips and technical data? - Massao

Hi all,

I think I must share my experience. The last time the timing belt was replaced on my car (Corsa B 1.4 Swing 1993) was in 2004, and I got it changed today. Meaning after 9 years! The car drive 36,000KM during these 9 years, mostly short distances, and was rarely driven for more than 1.5 hours at a time. But the car was used almost every day! I read on so many forums like this, that the timing belt for Corsa B should be replaced after 4 years in any case. Well, this is certainly not true. I may have driven easily for two more years, but just got it replaced for safety. By the way, I live in North of Norway, where average winter temperature is -10 C, and average summer temperature is +10 C. So my advice to those who have Corsa B 1.4 Swing, and do not drive the car for long distances, should not worry about changing the timing belt for at least 7 years!

However, when you do replace the timing belt, I suggest that you get these parts replaced as well

-Complete timing belt kit, and not only the belt!

-Fan belt/dynamobelt/serpentinebelt (whatever it is called on your car)

-Thermostat

-Two Seals (front camshaft, and oil seal/axel seal) (not sure about the exact names of these seals, but ask the mechanic!)

-Coolant

-Waterpump

Good luck!

Massao

Reply | Report as offensive | Link