Corsa B "flair" 8 valve timing belt

Got a phone call this afternoon from my brother "cars cut out and I cant get it started, help"

Well i turned up and couldnt get a spark at the plugs. Took the dizzy cap off and the rotor arm wasnt moving, took the timing belt case off and the belt was curled up in the bottom... oh dear. :s-smilie:

Well, i towed the bugger home.... can't tell you how smug I felt towing a modern car back in my "30 year old nail" :cool:

Of course... muggins now has to get the little brother back on the road.
Now, ive not worked on a corsa B before... hopefully will never have to again!

Anyone ever changed a timing belt on an 8 valve B?
Are there any things I should be aware of?

I understand there is a kit you can buy for about £45 which includes the new belt and a new tensioner. I'll change that too as a matter of course.

I am hoping just to realign the camshaft, replace the belt and then fire it up and hope there are no bent valves to worry about.
I'll do a compression test just to make sure.
If there is a valve issue, then I will whip the head off and nip down to a scrap yard and grab another head and reuse the brand new timing belt and tensioner.

Modern cars bleh!

Reply 1

pghstochaj

11

There's your kit:
https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/timing-belt-kit-info.php?recordID=6659

I don't imagine it's a non-interface engine - though don't know for a fact - so expect valve damage. If these engines have issues with water pumps then change that too, it will be worth it in the long run.

Reply 2

pghstochaj

11

My above link assumes that it is a 1.2, apologies if not! I think it's a 1.4 so this is more likely to be right:

https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/timing-belt-kit-info.php?recordID=6660

Reply 3

JC.

OP

19

apparently its a 1.4.
Is it the same block then?

Its a very basic engine by all accounts. Single over head cam running 8 valves.
I am anticipating valve damage but I dont mind trying my luck by just installing a new belt and hoping for the best. The only thing I have to lose is an hour of my life fitting the rotten thing.

I wont be messing around changing waterpumps. He's skint... it'll be me buying the spares in all liklihood and I dont really have the inclination to change the cam belt but the parents have acosted me.
I have yet to receive a thankyou for towing the rotten thing home yet.

Reply 4

pghstochaj

11

Did my older sister's rear shocks last week for nothing...I expected at least a kit kat :frown:

Looks like the same engine apart from capacity as those kits look the same :smile:

Reply 5

Mr Catbert

1

Wont firing it up with damaged valves likely cause more damage to the engine?

Reply 6

pghstochaj

11

Not very likely, only damage it could do will be to the head which would be replaced anyway.

Nope, dont think so.

OP

pghstochaj

Did my older sister's rear shocks last week for nothing...I expected at least a kit kat :frown:

Looks like the same engine apart from capacity as those kits look the same :smile:

He's only been on the road 2 months. His teacher at college (engineering degree) warned him that the idler didnt sound too healthy a month ago apparently. If thats the case i'm annoyed. Timing belts are not something you just leave till they break. In some ways I hope he has to learn the hard way by having to get a new head. But, in another way I hope not because i'm the poor sod that will have to fix it.

Still waiting on a thankyou...

Reply 9

pghstochaj

11

I got my belt done last week - I don't have the time or inclination to do it myself and the JTDs aren't the easiest for it - 5.5 years old and 45k on the clock. I prefer to be safe than sorry. Then again, it's a bit different to have to look for a JTD engine/head compared with a Corsa 8v.

Reply 10

JC.

OP

19

Heres a thought. I assume i will have to lock off the crank and cam wheel some how? How is this achieved on these engines?
The plonker hasnt even got a haynes manual i can thumb through.

I *think* its two dowels that pass through the wheels into the block?
Is there a special tool to do this job? I might just bodge it and use some long thin bolts if that is the case.

Reply 11

pghstochaj

11

It's so engine dependent....I would suggest a Haynes tbh - most libraries stock them.

Guessing the proper way to do it is to use 4 dowels to line up the cylinders and then use one bolt to lock the cam, there's probably two spaces but for just replacing the belt only one will be necessary I imagine), et voila. The locking tool dimensions will be in Haynes - for you to make.

Without a Haynes I imagine even with your experience you will struggle!

None of this applies directly to that engine, just incase I wasn't clear.

Reply 12

JC.

OP

19

The little idiot hasn't even bothered to buy a haynes manual yet.
Thats the first item on the shopping list...

I was looking forward to servicing my grandfathers Jaguar this weekend not farting around with shopping trolleys. :s-smilie:

Reply 13

Mr Catbert

1

Do it as his birthday and christmas present :evil:

Reply 14

Ryan

10

8V vauxhall engines are none interference, you'll be very unlucky if its caused valve damage!

most likely it has.

OP

Right its done.
Took 4 hours to change a sodding piece of rubber!!! :frown:

These nasty little shopping trolleys are a real pig to work on. You just cant get at anything.

Still its done and it works. Fortunately there is no valve damage. Compression is even accross all 4 cylinders.
Ive left my brother outside collecting up muh tools and tidying. :smile:

Reply 17

pghstochaj

11