X18XE-1 Vectra Engine.

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Fri 10 Jan 2003 06:09
X18XE-1 Vectra Engine. - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up)
Has anyone any experience of timing belt tensioner failure with these engines?
Thanks
Andrew
Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
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Fri 10 Jan 2003 21:38
X18XE-1 Vectra Engine. - the conductor
all ecotecs suffer from timing belt tensioner faliure.
vauxhall now sell cambelts as kits and advice to change water pump on engine when chaning belt
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Sat 11 Jan 2003 06:07
X18XE-1 Vectra Engine. - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up)
Thanks, I know that there has always been a problem with tensioner and idlers failing but this is a bit more involved..... I changed the belt, tensioner and idlers on the above using a GM kit about 5k miles ago. Car was towed in with aparrent belt failure just before xmas (Thanks!)On investigation the belt had not broken but the tensioner locking bolt had come loose. I know it was done up to the correct torque (20Nm) but, what the heck,the fact is it had come loose so a mental note was made that after repairs the new tensioner and bolt would be fitted with a drop of loctite on the thread and 25Nm on the torque wrench. However the new tensioner is a much different looking animal to its predecessor looking more like the older type as is its mounting bolt. 16 valves and 8 guides later it is going back together but I wonder if there has been a series of problems with the newe style tensioner resulting in a revertion to the older type?
Thanks
Andrew



Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
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Sat 11 Jan 2003 08:35
X18XE-1 Vectra Engine. - M.M
Andrew,

I know many folks have run this engine type without problem but I hate them. When you are laying your reputation on the line there seems to be a stress after every one as to how long it will go.

I now add a small note to the bottom of each invoice that reads along these lines...

"When a timing belt is replaced at 40-50,000 miles on a normal engine it is reasonable to expect the new belt to last a similar period. Unfortunately with this Vauxhall unit it is not possible to give this assurance due to the unpredictable nature of the failures across this whole engine type"

MM

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