Timing belt — removal and installation (Opel Vectra B)

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

Removal

Placement of thin steel rod in timing belt tensioner mechanism



1. Remove the upper timing belt cover.

2. Set the piston of the first cylinder to the top dead center in the compression stroke.

3. Remove the crankshaft pulley.

4. Unscrew the bolts and remove the lower timing belt cover.



5. Insert a thin steel rod into the hole in the toothed belt tensioner lever, turn the lever clockwise until it stops and fix it in this position by inserting the rod into the corresponding hole in the tensioner support plate. Leave the tensioner in this position until a new belt is installed. Unscrew the wheel mounting bolts and remove the wheel.



6. Check that the marks on the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys are aligned correctly.



7. Loosen the water pump mounting bolts.



8. Rotate the pump to reduce the tension of the timing belt.



9. Remove the timing belt from the pulleys. To reinstall the timing belt, mark its direction of travel.

Warning! After removing the belt, it is strictly forbidden to turn the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys, as this may cause the pistons to hit the open valves, which will lead to serious damage to the engine.

10. Check the timing belt for uneven wear, delamination, or oil contamination. Pay particular attention to the condition at the base of the belt teeth. If traces of oil are found on the belt, the source of the oil leak must be found and eliminated.

Installation

1. Check and clean the timing belt pulleys. Also check the condition and freedom of rotation of the tensioner pulley. Check that the timing marks on the pulleys are aligned with the indicators on the engine.

2. Install the timing belt on the crankshaft pulley and the camshaft pulley. The front part of the belt should be tight. Then install the belt on the coolant pump pulley and the tensioner pulley. Check that the timing marks on the pulleys are aligned with the pointers.

3. Remove the steel rod from the tensioner lever to release the tensioner spring.

4. Recheck the alignment of the pulley timing marks with the pointers.



5. Tighten the timing belt by rotating the water pump until the tensioner lever moves. Move the pump until the tensioner lever (1) is positioned against the stop (2). Then tighten the water pump mounting bolts.



6. Temporarily install the crankshaft pulley mounting bolt and rotate the crankshaft two full revolutions in the normal direction of rotation.

7. Check that the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys are aligned with the pointers. Rotate the crankshaft two full revolutions again and check the alignment of the marks and the position of the timing belt tensioner lever.

8. If the tensioner lever pointer does not align with the stop, repeat the timing belt tensioning procedure.

9. Install the timing belt covers and crankshaft pulley.