IS IT GARAGES FAULT WHY REPAIR BILLS ARE SO EXPENSIVE????? VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.6CDTI TIMING CHAIN!!!!!

[@sthillarys52]

Total nightmare of an engine design, luckily there’s someone of Baz’s incredible knowledge & capabilities to work on them. And no wonder the job costs so much with the amount of work involved!

[@garethjones8047]

Vauxhall look to have gone horrendous. Hard to believe the old Astra, Cavalier etc 1 hour clutch change ever existed when I look at this job. Makes me glad im not a Mechanic anymore. Greetings from Rhos

[@keithstarr8213]

I am a retired vauxhall technician from the eighties nineties, the cars were straightforward and relatively easy to repair then,happy to be also retired now .

[@colinblythe3710]

I was a mechanic 80-90s every job on the vauhalls was easy - that was what got them back on the map with fleet buyers for minimal down time How & why did it all go wrong - can only think it was to extract money from customers - but as a concequence lost the fleet buyers - I only work on Peugeot / Citroen now they are still semi normal to work on !!

[@panas872]

My calibra turbo is much much much easier to replace the timing belt like all old vauxhall

[@kevinmarsh5034]

Don't forget the water pumps and timing belts on the 80/90s Vauxhall's. I'm glad I hung my overalls up a fews back.

[@markvitler]

I went to Luton to do the training on this engine when it first came out, we spent about 30 mins on learning how to change the chain, we was told we won’t ever have to change them as they are bullet proof 😂😂. Oh how wrong they were. We was also told that we had to replace the timing covers if they have been removed as they can warp or fracture when being removed. Great work Baz.

[@NarrowboatWill]

That timing chain looks a bit under engineered. In the old days. Timing chains were bulletproof. Almost. Great vidoes. Very helpful info.

[@AA-dy9sl]

Cheers baz . Great video of my motor see you Thursday mate 👍

[@LatifMarof]

Hello from Luton you have done very nice and clean job I really like it you are the best mechanic

[@richarddougan2777]

I have one of these in my insignia, put a feeler out for online quotes from local garages, last week, still nothing back, that tells you something😲

[@Cantwait-y8s]

You have the heart of a lion pal. Tip my hat to you for keeping doing these jobs. Some handy tips in these videos.

[@vinegarjoe9706]

You are indeed a Master Technician, Baz. Not many workshops around the UK will have someone as meticulous as you are. Great work.

[@GeoffChapman-i5c]

Baz excellent work.Like your methodical way.please get yourself a trolley for all the parts you remove and stop putting them on the floor.make your life much easier and less bending down.save your back! .Great videos.

[@garynewell6947]

wow baz that took some time but with the right tools you can do anything well done that man

[@richardmildon2020]

What a lot of work to do it looks like the components are made so cheaply traits of the modern car unfortunately that doesn’t take away your hard work and very well narrated video thank you

[@carltaylor7489]

Amazing job baz I love watching your work you are a very talented and skilled technician

[@bazmeredith]

Really appreciate this buddy

[@albertlushi1074]

Hello Baz Very good video and perfect job Just a small question Does it need to bleed the fuel system or just push the button and will start Thanks

[@GhostLead65]

Jeez Baz after watching you do loads of these they certainly don,t want you doing them even though its a major manufacturer defect.Great job as always though. Bring back the days of Isuzu belt driven diesels.

[@jameswells8713]

THANK YOU! These are a really common issue on the Astra K I have one with the same issue. Apparently they do it all the time on start up but the tensioners do go completely eventually. I have been looking ages for a walk through so thank you! most garages either wont take it or want upwards of 2 grand for a replacement due to the amount of labour as you well know. Shame as I love the car and I dont know what to do next.

[@dwilliams6346]

It took me 7 hours to disassemble the drivetrain, gearbox, clutch and flywheel on my Astra H Z18XER last year to change a broken crankshaft pulse ring, and fitted a new 3-piece clutch and reassembled it, on my own on a driveway on two jack stands with zero previous mechanical knowledge. I did a load more work on it i.e complete wheel bearing replacement, brake line replacement, suspension overhaul, new exhaust system, oil cooler, cooling system, brakes, throttlebody, manifold, sump, VVT......the works. I went from catastrophic MOT failure to a clean pass, with compliments of the shop. She's not suffered a single fault in almost a year. Injectors and fuel pump could do with replacing but overall seeing how outrageously difficult this Astra K is, i'm glad I kept it. This is why I prefer older cars. To me these new cars have all the hallmarks of a throwaway society. Whereas people used to use their motors upto 150k and get the full beans, now they want a new one by 50k as though it's the new Apple iphone.

[@custy29]

Big job proper tear down for a chain you are the man

[@shannonsmith148]

Great video. I have a 2017 Chevy Cruze with the lh7 1.6 diesel. I haven’t noticed any rattle as of yet but I am thinking I should consider changing out the tensioner.

[@mrgrumpy9077]

I didn't have a hob nob so had half pack of choc digestives 😅 those induction tools are amazing 👍no wonder nothing lasts very long in modern cars , that chain looked like it was off a bicycle 😮

[@jonalowe]

If they are going to put the timing chain at the back of the engine, the least they could do is put in a robust dual row chain, tensioner, and guides that should last the life of the engine. Less than 100k miles is just poor engineering. Don't even get me started on wet belts...

[@bazmeredith]

Duplex chain would be unreal

[@richie674]

This makes a wet belt engine ie Ford ecoboost 1.0 look easy , I know I’ve done my ecoboost 1.0 but even I would be coming to Baz for this sort of work , bloody ridiculous & I say that at only 76,000 should be 276,000 miles more like at least , nice job Baz ❤😅🏆🤙👍

[@edwardospells7477]

Sounds like most Audi s5 on cold starts which chain rattle lol

[@K03sport]

yay General Motors!

[@andrewstainsby]

just another reason to hate modern cars, what a stupid idea, made worse by cheaping out not putting a gasket on the tensioner

[@bashingmetal]

Another engine for the "Do Not Buy" list! In a few years the cost of this work will write a lot of cars off. Timing chain at the gearbox end is ridiculous. Great video as always Baz. If I had one of these I'd definitely be taking your advice and replacing the tensioner as a preventative measure.

[@Thecrazyvaclav]

LED headlights will be writing off cars, delivered a Peugeot one to a garage yesterday, £600 retail price, £1350 if you or me wanted to change it at home

[@Theroadsidepatrolman]

Great work as always baz!, I see you made sure everything was torqued and marked 🤣

[@jimleishman4119]

Another cracking job @baz. You're a wizard.

[@Ansori2405]

Experience and knowledge gr8 job cbaz

[@ringstinga]

Cracking video Baz never knew there was so much involved when doing a chain !😲

[@mikejba]

An insane amount of work to get that done. But top job Baz, very thorough (as usual).

[@ariantaria2065]

Unbelievable what a hell ,it just shows Vauxhall engineering are incompetent with rest of other manufacturing ,,Japanese cars on top of my list ,great video like you calm work you do

[@-DC-]

You've never dealt with Nissan Transmissions or Honda Wet Belts 🤣

[@K03sport]

but doesn't General Motors have a hand in this too?

[@matthewfrancis9830]

I still can't believe mine made it to 160,000 on the original timing chain Baz, that noise at only 72,000 is unbelievable. In my opinion the oil change intervals on these engines should be 6000 miles maximum, with an engine flush every time. Mine is still going strong after you worked on it, racking up the miles. You do some absolutely outstanding work Baz, loving the time lapses! 👍

[@bazmeredith]

Cheese buddy appreciate it, this one has been looked after very well and regular oil services

[@scotspie501douglas7]

great video Baz but the DIY mechanic has no chance of doing that in his drive would be in the drive for days between work thats why I dislike the big boys in the motortrade everything would be a £1000 and they drive you to take a car on PCP keep up the great work I have now a topdon just for doing back pads on a grandland insane

[@TheDaf95xf]

Good evening Mr cool guy Baz 😎 That was awesome as well as the most ridicules way to do a timing chain but you did it very well buddy 👍🏻

[@emmanuila7747]

Great job again! Looking fun job but scary to be honest but Im not a mechanic...This car is very clean and the engine is very clean for the miles .... What oil do you suggest 5-30 or 5-40 or something alse? And when should be good to change them?

[@rodhumphrey40]

An absolute brainfood job those mate! Nicely done!👍🏻👍🏻🤟

[@spevomax2]

11:14 the reason I actually watched this video, thanks.

[@stephenreed1080]

Its a shame for this owner. There was a technical bulletin out that covered the cost of this job but it expired couple of years ago.

[@markhurlow7404]

I’ve got same problem on my Astra j I’m hoping to change tensioner with the gasket on will help otherwise the car will be scrap

[@Roswellian2309]

The tensioner broke on my zafira Tourer 1.6cdti around the same mileage. I hope it lasts the life of the car as don't fancy getting that done again.

[@robertmobileman8304]

nice job Baz.. you love it

[@AA-dy9sl]

Cheers baz and all the boys for your help with the astra . Difficult to find people to trust to work on your motor These days so thanks again . top job mate

[@stevescet]

I got away with doing the tensioner gasket a couple of years ago . Now got a blocked egr cooler. A rite pain engine.

[@nigeleveratt2626]

you should use a clutch compressor tool when refitting the clutch, otherwise they tend to slip .

[@bojanlegner7051]

Another great video. May I ask, what is the name of the song at 3.00 please?

[@markanthonysmith413]

Great video as usual baz, terrible engine design nearly a days work to strip everything down, I'm in Cambridge have a Fiesta Eco boost just cost me £2100 for a new clutch and master cylinder, will have to pay out again soon as the wet belt needs changing, really enjoy your channel, all the best Mark.

[@bazmeredith]

Be a lot cheaper than that clutch job

[@richie674]

@@markanthonysmith413 that’s bladdy expensive for a clutch & MC mate 🫠🙂‍↔️😮 !

[@PTRsTransport]

Is it main dealer prices that you have quoted?

[@markanthonysmith413]

@@PTRsTransport yes it is, I have a service plan with them.

[@PTRs-Transport]

Ok, thank you

[@MechanicMouse]

Top quality video Baz. Kept me well entertained

[@leebarbier8208]

Same car ive got had it done in midlands done a great job just like you baz cost 1300 .spot on job cars are just all fun .

[@bubonicspearman8758]

Don't really like cars with cam belts but the focus 1.5 tdci is pretty easy to change so it looks like the 1. 6 cdti astra is going

[@eddiejones.redvees]

I have a 2014 Astra j with the same 1.6 diesel engine with 64.600 miles on the clock now so I can expect the same timing chain problem in the next 5.000 miles maybe so far it has been a great car very quiet very good mpg my previous car was 1.4 TDI vw pole with I had four 12y I had to time belt change I 70.000 and apart from the usual where and items Even the battery lasted 11y i now wished I had kept it and run it into the ground in never missed a beat bin 125.000 miles it would start on the button now mate what the weather was I probably got back to vw cars

[@bazmeredith]

I've changed them at 145k there's no sort of set time when they start but you'll soon notice a different when they start as it will rattle in the mornings

[@markwatson4238]

Baz, love your videos as always mate, but I do have one genuine question for you. How the heck do you get the cars into and out of that ramp you use, as there is a building directly in front of your workspace? Always wondered ha ha.

[@bazmeredith]

I did do a video on it, it's a bit of a pain but once it on its own

[@MarkWatson-c9i]

@@bazmeredithCheers Baz, I’ll go have a look for the video mate.

[@CharlieHarper-d4x]

And I was chuffed after just doing my control arms today 😂

[@colinhamer6506]

I did my first one last week it was a long job but not to bad your videos definitely saved me time 👍. One thing got me thinking on the tensioner gasket what is the slit for 🤔

[@bazmeredith]

Maybe for when it gets hot so it doesn't twist

[@colinhamer6506]

@@bazmeredith possibly. I was thinking is it going to spray oil out.

[@tonyc2837]

I dread to think what that would have cost at the main dealership.🤦‍♂️ 20:43

[@metheult]

Baz ball park how many hours total is this job? I have a 2016 Opel Insignia 1.6 CDTI with 151k miles and no issues with the timing chain. It's been main dealer serviced it's whole life but I'm now out of that cycle. Would you suggest a replacement tensioner as a preventive measure or keep going until the chain might need replacing.

[@rafalkowalski1338]

What's the total cost and time? Have you ever replaced just tensioner to get rid of rattle? Got one only on 51000 miles with rattle on start up so assuming chain maybe is still OK. Thanks

[@bigaljack56]

Do some longer videos Baz, cracking content.

[@neilmat71]

I thought timing chain had a lot longer life in it compared to rubber belt. Rip off manufacturer's.

[@ronaldprestage8563]

Great video Baz that looks worse than doing a wet belt 😂

[@MrDosSantos991]

Just refused to do one last week😂 i have done many chains in my career but when i saw this mess i didnt even want to get involved.

[@JC-hu1wd]

So was it a 10 hour job and cost a grand? Also what year did they become so complicated? Great video. You're a great mechanic.

[@christhackrsy]

Hi baz have you done one when chain has slipped or snapped does it take valves and rockers ? Thanks

[@dustyfruitypie1633]

Did you replace the injector seals with new ones before fitting them or just grease them up.

[@bazmeredith]

New washers as always

[@PTRsTransport]

Excellent video Baz 👍

[@MrSilverdragonlite]

I’ll stick with my 2007 1.9pd octavia. Cambelt change was about 330 quid

[@mauriciogalano3999]

Opel should recall all those cars, all 1.6 cdti have this issue

[@Gneeznow]

Hey Baz how difficult is a timing chain job on a Seat Ibiza 1.2 mpi? asking for a friend 🤔

[@bazmeredith]

Not bad tbh

[@diddyd8350]

Obviously more in depth homework needs to be done when looking for a car, in particular the engine in which parts are going to fail first and what costs are going to be to replace those parts. If and when i could change my car i am going to to alot more research, more than usual. Mainly also which cars have those rubber bands!

[@JohnHooley-u6w]

just wondering what is the total cost of the job ?

[@-DC-]

Manufacturers using Chains that would embarrass a Childs Chinese Bicycle are mad on modern cars, They know how to build durable easy to maintain vehicles and deliberately do the opposite !

[@leminako]

Nice interesting video baz. Wich was that small hose where you drain the coolant out?

[@bazmeredith]

That's just a piece of fuel pipe connected to the drain on the rad

[@leminako]

​@@bazmerediththanks 👍

[@Tiwey]

no reason for the timing chain being on the gearbox side besides saving money on production

[@albertlushi1074]

Hello my friend I'm going to do this job I'm not a mechanic Is there any chance to remove gearbox without removing the subframe?? Thanks

[@jonfawbert3291]

Is doing this job on the automatic on this engine any harder or easier to do?

[@peterarries7879]

Brilliant 👏🏿 👏🏿

[@johnmaguire9305]

With 76k on the clock, did you consider a “while I have the clutch out” moment to replace it?

[@kevinrobertson2037]

Has this car had a good regular oil change history Baz ? just curious

[@bazmeredith]

So I'm lead to believe

[@AA-dy9sl]

Yes mate was changed every six months with a full service every 12 months .I've had it for over six years

[@steveharrod6911]

speaking as a time served engineer, never seen anything like it, ridiculous complexity for nothing.

[@RumpleXstillXskin]

When the timing chain is on the right ….do you and vauxhall still class cylinder 4 ….4 or number 1 ? 👍

[@bazmeredith]

Cylinder 4 is cylinder 4

[@khalidacosta7133]

It depends whether it's pre-PSA or After-PSA ;-)

[@Rekani-sq5nl]

Well done good job

[@wayneschenk5512]

New cars are gainful employment.😢

[@DaveEdey-cf8wu]

For reference what would the total cost be for a timing chain replacement??

[@opelduude]

He does not discuss prices online. Probably around 1500-1800 pounds.

[@K03sport]

because the $150-200 /shop hour has nothing to do with it... 🤔

[@mr.t2585]

What a nightmare job to do.. their worst diesel engine to service. bga doesn't have good chain kits for 1.6 cdti. They have tendency to rattle and stretch after some time even if you done everything ok. So i personaly don't like to do this kind of job twice on same car.

[@bazmeredith]

I used one last year on same engine it's a taxi, now covered 40k since I've done it as it's a taxi and it's spot on

[@garethjones8047]

@@mr.t2585 Its hard to find good quality parts now, everything just manufactured so cheap. Even the dealer part only lasted 76k.

[@Cardoctorwolverhampton]

Had any come backs with bga kits

[@BlakeCDS]

Would love to know what the bill for this was, what a terrible design

[@Jack_JJS]

Great video Baz

[@Philunited]

How much was your heater for exhaust mate are they dear

[@mike306dt]

All going to see in Time....... What you did there, I saw it ;)

[@bazmeredith]

I'm confused but ye

[@mike306dt]

@@bazmeredith You were doing a timing chain Sir, then said "All going to see in time"... I knew it wasn't deliberate, but if it was it would have been a clever play on words! :)

[@bazmeredith]

@@mike306dt I see deffo didn't plan it 😂😂😂 good spot tho 🤙

[@mike306dt]

@@bazmeredith 1:20 For anyone else that misses it! Love these videos, hoping the belt on my CPTA engine isn't as much of a pain as this. What an utterly bizarre idea to stick a chain behind all that componentry. GG Vauxhall. Another great video Baz please keep them coming :)

[@bazmeredith]

@@mike306dt cheers buddy appreciate it 🤙

[@Nelson1234]

Top man Baz

[@an04ker]

Remind me to never buy a Vauxhall

[@andrepereira3176]

These motors are too hard for doing these work.

[@colinblythe3710]

Do you know WHO makes this engine Baz is it a PSA or Fait or ?? That tensioner should have been a RECALL - as it has been a problem in many cars for a while Vauxhall just looking the other way and denying there is a problem is poor service !!

[@bazmeredith]

PSA

[@opelduude]

According to Wikipedia this is a GM engine. Opel/Vauxhall was still part of GM when these came out.

[@mikefarrar8071]

@@bazmeredith I thought the PSA engines had a belt. BMW, Merc, JLR & Fiat put the chain at the flywheel end. Crap idea anyway. Great video Baz

[@colinblythe3710]

@@bazmeredith Ok Thanks for the Info

[@merlejoepere237]

How is Bga quality?

[@bazmeredith]

Never ever had any complaints

[@Chris-jy3dm]

What a mare of a job

[@chrismcauley564]

what guesstimate price for this kinda job

[@bazmeredith]

2k

[@mastercreative1]

is it the 1.6 that has the timing chain ? does the 2.0 have one ?

[@-DC-]

1.6 Chain 2.0 Belt

[@an04ker]

Who would want to work in cars. I’ve repaired forklifts 30+ years. I won’t even fix my own car.

[@dk2655]

These are bad but I would sooner do these than the Audi V6…….bloody nightmare engine!!.

[@kerbsidemobilemechanic]

Nice easy job for a morning 🥴

[@bazmeredith]

Absolutely 😂

[@zaneclone]

Such a familiar story... So many vehicles with crazy designs for what used to be a basic maintenance job... There was NO logical reason for cars to ever go from a std' cam belt design... We've gone from gears/chains to belts to chains and wet belts lol... what a farce... Any designer/engineer who thinks this many moving parts to drive a camshaft is good/clever needs to go and give their heads a wobble. It's not efficient, not economical, crazy expensive, not really green and frankly just a piss-take.

[@Howt-ooo]

What a stupid design!!!! Timing chain between engine and gearbox 😂

[@garyparker5012]

All you need is a flywheel/clutch failure,one or more injectors failing or a blown turbo and you are on the verge of a write off Speaking of that a young girl got her first car a eco boost fiesta in a nice blue colour and she loves it but the oil light is flashing so we all know where this is going Poor girl used all her savings to buy the car no way is she going to be able to pay in excess of £1000 for a wet belt replacement