Timing belt — removal and installation (Opel Vectra B)

Location of timing marks on camshaft pulleys and crankshaft when setting the piston of the first cylinder to TDC in the compression stroke



Position of the timing belt tensioner indicator

Warning! The timing belt must be replaced on a cold engine.

Removal

1. Set the piston of the first cylinder to TDC on the compression stroke.

2. Remove the crankshaft pulley.

3. On 1.6L models, remove the lower timing belt cover bolt and remove the lower timing belt cover.



4. On 1.6L models, check that the camshaft pulley timing marks are aligned with the top surface of the cylinder head and that the crankshaft pulley timing mark is aligned with the pointer (see Fig. Location of timing marks on camshaft pulleys and crankshaft when setting the piston of the first cylinder to TDC in the compression stroke).



5. Remove the two bolts securing the camshaft sensor to the cylinder head and move the sensor to the side.



6. On 1.8L and 2.0L models, check that the timing marks on the camshaft pulleys are aligned with the marks on the cylinder head cover and that the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley is aligned with the pointer on the housing (the marks are indicated by arrows).



7. Loosen the timing belt tensioner bolt (1). Using a wrench, turn the tensioner lever clockwise until it stops, which will reduce the belt tension. Then tighten the tensioner mounting bolt (the key hole is indicated by the number 2).



8. Remove the timing belt from the pulleys. Do not rotate the crankshaft or camshafts until the timing belt is installed.



9. Check the timing belt for wear, delamination or oiling. If there are traces of oil on the timing belt, find the source of the oil leak and fix it before installing a new belt.

Installation

1. Thoroughly clean the timing belt pulleys, tensioner pulley and idler pulley.



2. Check that the timing marks on the pulleys (A – crankshaft pulley mark) are aligned with the pointers (B).

3. Install the timing belt on the crankshaft pulley and camshaft pulleys so that the front of the timing belt is always under tension. Lastly, install the timing belt on the water pump pulley and tensioner pulley.



4. Loosen the timing belt tensioner bolt to release the tensioner spring. Turn the tensioner lever counterclockwise until the tensioner pointer reaches the stop. Tighten the tensioner mounting bolt.



5. Recheck that the pulley timing marks are correctly aligned with the pointers.

6. Using the crankshaft pulley mounting bolt, turn the crankshaft two full turns.

7. Recheck that the timing marks on the timing belt pulleys are aligned with the pointers, then loosen the timing belt tensioner mounting bolt.



8. If a new timing belt is installed, the tensioner must be adjusted so that the pointer aligns with the guard on the backing plate.

9. If the timing belt is reinstalled, the tensioner must be adjusted so that the pointer is positioned 4 mm to the left of the guard on the support plate (see Fig. Position of the timing belt tensioner indicator).

10. Install the timing belt cover and crankshaft pulley. On the 1.6L model, the camshaft sensor must be installed before installing the timing belt cover.