Cam Belt

[5av1dg312]

Does any body know approx how many miles a cam belt lasts on a vauxhall vectra 2.0 litre 1998. Thankyou

Oh and also when i turn music up pretty loud the cd auto changer ejects the cd's and dont know why. any help would be grateful, thankyou

[Tee_111]

Dont know mate but you could try ringing dealers and asking them.

[Bubba.fatass]

If the vectra engine is similar to the old 16v engines fitted to late Cavalier GSI's they used to suggest 50K was an ideal time to change. The heads are quite low compression so belt failure almost certainly killed lots of valves as they clattered with an upcomming piston.

When you turn the stereo up high is there a lot of vibrations from the bass speakers, it could be these vibes that effects the changer, might want to check that the unit is in firmly as an idea.

Hope this helps

[reddiesel]

If your unsure how many miles the belt has done its best to change it anyway, although patern parts are quite good these days its better to get a genuine vm belt.

[5av1dg312]

thanks guys, im not sure wether to get it done or not because it can be pretty costy to have it done and dont know about the behavior of the car yet as ive just bought it. thankyou

[Tsnafu]

Service manual says 50 000 or 5 years which ever is the sooner. To be honest, my Astra is now 7 years old and still on it's orginal but I've only done 34000 in it.

I am thinking about getting it done before it's too late though :-)

[mr man!]

just checked in my autodata timing belt book and it states

vx vectra 97my>engine code c20sel every 40.000miles or 4 years whichever first tensioner must be chenged also.


vx vectra 97my>engine code x20xev every 40.000miles or 4 years whichever first tensioner must be changed also.

it is to be noted that both of these engines are interference and will most likley cost more than the car to repair if the cambelt lets go which on vauxhalls can be very close to the prescribed time, hope this helps.

[malcolm_jordan]

Think about the cost of changing the cam versus the cost of repaiing a damaged engine. Better safe than sorry. I would always replace the cam if I was not sure it had been done in line with recommended service scheules. Most main dealers will be happy to advise when they should be done.

[redoxide]

If you do not know the history of the vehicle then for peace of mind alone have the belt changed. Also as mentioned you MUST also change the tensioner and ALSO the guide rollers as well, as these are made from plastic (plastic surrounds the bearing) and have a great knack of breaking up at not too high mileages. Causing belt failure and you huge expense.
I would advise you dont take any chances when it comes to your timing belt and stick rigorously to the service/change intervals (40,000 as previously mentioned) as the 16v Ecotech engines have a good habit of biting you on the butt if you choose to ignore them. I know because i have changed enough of them and rebuilt enough of them for those who have who have chosen to chance it.

You can purchase timing belt kits that contain all the necessary parts in one box, either genuine from a main dealer or from any good independent motor factor. If you choose to purchase from a motor factor just make sure it's a well known brand i.e like gates or quinton hazel .
If you don't know the history don't chance it. Change it

[madrat]

REDOXIDE Well said. Best advice for timing belts. I like to do mine every 36,000 miles or 3 years no matter what the maintenance schedule says. Better spend £100 or so on a new belt than £1,000 + on a new engine.