Vauxhall Signum Overheating 1 9 CDTI You'll Be Amazed What I found

Our Vauxhall Signum 1.9 CDTI overheated. Let's see what I found when I stripped it down.
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[@specialallsorts935]

As i have been in the trade for over 30 years & had my own garage i have done hundreds of cam belts and kits, the water pump the guide pulley (jockey wheel to you) & the tension pulley , they all look like original parts form when the car was new/built, WHY all 3 parts are filthy dirty. What gave way here was the water pump, if the belt was over tightened it would make like a werling sound to indicate that it was to tight and then the belt would eventually snap. Living in Cornwall & having customers on very low wages, they would only have the belt done as they could not afford a cam belt kit, & then i would see them back a few weeks later for a water pump, you can not get the same tension on the water pump as you had before, when you change the belt, this is why they recommend a new water pump every time you change the belt. Just to add GATES is one of the best kits you can buy.

[@jeroenschuuring6060]

Gates also makes absolute rubbish kits El cheapo pulleys which lock up the belt against the block.....

[@specialallsorts935]

@@t5jerry I liked your comment. A timing belt will ride/glide over a locked pulley if it has no teeth, same with the water pump, as there is so much torque/power coming from the crank, if the tension pulley locked up as the one on this car it would strip all the teeth off the belt, as the crank develops so much torque/power, no teeth & you will bend many valves as this is probably an interference engine. Who's this Jeroen fellow & what does he know? in over 30 over years i have never had any trouble with Gates belts or kits. I think this Jeroen fellow is a TROLL, "Nemo Mortalium omnibus horis sapit

[@specialallsorts935]

​@@jeroenschuuring6060 You are talking complete & utter nonsense. You really need to under how an engine works torque & power, (that's your first lesson) if you look closely at the video you will see that the bottom crank pulley has guide rings that the belt sits inside these rings one outer & one inner, these two rings keeps the belt central & sops it going from side to side for the working of the engine & stops the belt from coming of or going into the block as you say. You are getting confused with serpentine belts (multi v belts) & fan belts, i have untangled lots of these serpentine belts from the block but NEVER a cam belt. please read my comment that i sent to t5jerry.

[@zoidberg444]

Gates have been using Chinese bearings in their kits. You can't rely on them.

[@markpepperberrisford9157]

@@jeroenschuuring6060 only if incorrectly fitted as the centre bolt / spindle is adjustable .

[@canalboating]

"Everything I've touched has gone wrong" as he gives Sharon a hug :)

[@chriscarroll3204]

Init strange how tools grow legs. My breaker bar walked all the way into my son's tool box once!

[@jeffr0]

When my son came back from the Air Force, he was working on his car. Said, “what happened to all your sockets?” “Well, I had this teenage boy that used to live here. He was pretty careless.”

[@marklittler784]

My father had an old bomb proof foot pump lent it to a neighbour and he said it was stolen out of his truck, personally I think it was that brilliant he nicked it himself ! 😈

[@marklittler784]

We lent a neighbour a sweeping brush 43 yrs ago still haven't seen it !

[@chriscarroll3204]

I've put 'property of Ned Flanders' on my my tools!!!!

[@andrewwoodward6560]

Love the video, sometimes it really is amazing how much time it takes to do these jobs . Thanks for sharing !

[@ahillvfr]

Very lucky to catch it before any major damage - it would have been nice to see you tension up the cam belt to show everyone how easy it is to over tension them, normally if you can still twist them 90 degrees at a slack point then you know it’s not over tensioned.

[@user-ml9bg2ns7g]

How can anybody troll you and your lovely wife Love seeing the banter between you both and good to see you can each bounce off each other I had a signum till a few months ago when i aquaplaned and spun a few times pushing the engine forward so it was a write off but mines was the preface lift 2.2 dti

[@chrisfrob]

Another great fix....in the World of 'true' reality. As always, nice to see Sharon to add some fun into your vids.

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks Martin and Sharon, glad you got it sorted. As always take care from South Africa

[@JimF500]

You two are absolutely great, the banter between you is so funny. I did a TB on a mk 6 escort and it worked great, but in general I am afraid of timing belts, but you are brave Martin.

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Always enjoy your videos of automotive repairs thank you Martin

[@sarahdeshay1394]

After the past few days I kind of needed a good laugh today, I just did some front end work on my daughter and son in laws car I spent nearly as much time looking for tools as the job took. After the job was complete I took the car for a test ride and the gas light was already on. Guess I am not the only one this stuff happens to. Thanks for the lesson and the laugh.

[@daemonicus11]

Another cracking video martin, showing the harsh reality of doing jobs on your back with ramps/axle stands and hardly any room to move. Amazing how you can never find tools when you need them. Good one mate!

[@terryatkinson3182]

Good man, the local motorfactors are the best. They really appreciate your business and they know their stuff. You dodged a bullet with that engine. I guess you didn't do the work last time on the signum. I've done the same job on my fiat and it's still overheating... Could be radiator or headgasket, I've had to walk away until I get the enthusiasm to carry on.

[@barbarawiddowson635]

You were lucky to have found out when you did Martin. Looking forward to Saturday's live stream!

[@retrorestore]

Cheers Barbara.

[@johnstubbs1585]

Great job remember the days when your water pump was driven with the alternator belt not timing belt lol they love making things harder and more expensive

[@lewisbolton7761]

love watching ur vids its nice and chill

[@michaellowery1559]

Martin & Sharon, you keep us all sane.

[@lallen1982]

Just found your channel this weekend, love your show look forward to more content

[@retrorestore]

There's plenty of vids to watch bud lol

[@lallen1982]

Fair play I may need your help with some poly bushes on my Ford Focus ST 🥳

[@petefroud5308]

Lucky escape Martin . Neat fix once again. Cheers Pete.

[@markyoung13]

I like the timing belts with the white lines that match up to the marks on the sprockets, you can't go wrong.

[@specialallsorts935]

Yeah, but Martin doesn't know that.

[@train4905]

Exellent job sir well done. Weve all had "those days" Keep up the exelkent work sir.

[@greglewis8843]

Nice to see you fixed it most people wouldn't attempt this sort of job

[@puffyjet]

Hi martin and sharon thanks for the video it was really enjoyable i never get bored with engines and i have worked on quit a few my self. This is the worst cam belt i have ever seen and it just shows what can happen as a result of someone over doing the tightness of bolts etc. i really enjoy all of your vids and like this one it gives people the confidence to have a go themselves I have looked at your vies and though yeah i have a go at that like repairing bodywork on my car i followed what you had done and my front wing came out great and i save a lot of money something we could all do with. I keep trying to get on to your live stream but you tube keeps saying error try later. S o i watch them after todays one was great i past my test in a dolly 1500 at wansted in essex it was my brother in laws BSM driving school car it was light blue i borrowed it just for the test. A couple of cars down the line i bought a yellow dolly with a black vynal roof those where the days cheers mate Kevbo

[@andynorris3537]

This has happened to my dad's vectra 1.9 today same issue. Luckily we have Martins video to tackle the job

[@paulelliott2861]

great job mate. we all have days like that. what you think will be an easy job turns into a night mare. Three day job on a transit due to a frozen steering pump union.

[@scooby2142]

Very good video Martin and very well edited. it kept the interest going nicely. Oh by the way - i like the way you bring Sharron into the vids. A ray of sunshine mate, love ya both -take care.

[@GREYHOUND1874]

thank you for the vid again...best wishes from Edinburgh

[@mrbmx733]

To check the timing, if you look on the new gates belt it has 3 white lines on. These correlate with three slots, one on each sprocket. Typically alike the OEM vaux kits, which are made my gates (may not be exactly the same products). The lines are measured from factory to give exact timing. Whether that means moving the crank, cam or high pressure pump, if the 3 lines on the belt line up with the sprocket. Your good to go. Mint videos mate!

[@hibbs79]

Top video enjoyed watching it. Gonna go watch the astra timing belt video now

[@thornwarbler]

Lucky escape there that could have gone either way glad you sorted it

[@davidyoung6608]

Great video Martin. Its always nice to save money. Specially when it comes to mechanical issues.

[@haydenuk02]

Keep up the great work thanks for awesome content

[@davekauffman8727]

Finding the tools I need takes more of my time than the repair I needed them for does, every time, it's good to see I'm not the only one! Loved Sharon's shirt, the American flag is dear to my heart; I'm sure you feel the same way about the British flag, many more happy years of wedded bliss unto you and the Mrs, cheers from New York State in the USA :-)

[@retrorestore]

Thanks bud.

[@kieronryan5324]

Hi Martin good KZbin vid but which ever garage did the last bell did not change the water pump tensioner u see they old that’s why it’s good for you should ask for the old parts and receipt to prove I bought new parts to fit onto your car

[@michaelboyle9889]

Another great video Martin I'm learning so much from your videos cheers mate 👍👍

[@retrorestore]

Cheers bud

[@chriseverett1142]

They change things because it keeps you and baby making videos for us to understand. 😆

[@StEwBaLlZ_85]

1st Video I've had the pleasure to watch of yours,an must say was an instant subscribe as this was a very well put together Video with plenty of info for the home mechanic!! 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Stewart.

[@xinixxagnix201]

The best couple of YT xD...Great Job Martin, sounds and drive like if it come straight from the dealer with the oder of a new interior ::)).

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Blimey Mart,good job you found that out,and saved yourself some money by getting the parts,a garage would have been definitely more.great video.

[@JamesAllen300]

Look on the boot at the CDTi badge, and If the T is in red, then it's the 150 BHP engine. The 120 BHP engine doesn't have a red letter. another thing to add is when you bleed the air out, go through all air direction postions (windscreen, face vernts, fllor vents etc etc) to expel air trapped in the system there. When I had my 56 plate vectra with the same engine, I forgot to bleed the air out of these places and the temperature was lower than it should have been. Always expel all air out of system before taking for a run. Another good video Martin!!

[@markvickers4189]

Yes they are 150hp and they drive fantastic when running correctly . I was thinking of changing mine but last month went straight through its mot and thought to myself , why change for what they are worth . Fact as I said to you I`ve had a operation so my dad is using it to take me to my doctors and hospital appointments to which he did say the other day he does not know which he likes driving the best his couple of year old Mazda or the Signum that says a lot I think . Yours look identical to mine dash wise but if I remember correctly you have the extra of the cooler box that fits on the back seat. Anyway now you have that job out of the way lets hope you have a better week .

[@martincunnington2154]

Nice job,very lucky you managed to get it home,since my boy has been in my garage my tools go walkies to ha ha

[@paulbingham8921]

good call buying gates power grip never known a belt to snap seen one that was as small as a large elastic band if you get my meaning and car was still running allthough i think the owner had more jam than hartleys

[@andybowyer3602]

Time lapse music reminds me of an on the busses film 🤪👍 love it!!!

[@Arounadabout]

Great video thanks mate. My vectra has the 1.9 120 bhp engine

[@adampotter5763]

Looks like you got to that just in the nick of time Martin, it could of been a very different story if the belt let go. Yet another excellent video, looking forward to the next one. 😀👍

[@retrorestore]

Cheers bud.

[@lascar48]

Good job Martin.

[@byronmills5952]

Time to sort out a lockable vault for all your tools! I feel your pain.. my lad is always pilfering my spanners!!... 😁

[@baldanddangerous1572]

never rains but it pours,nice fix martin,you and sharon,are the bee`s knees all the best.................dougie

[@AliMackMechanical]

Good video mate I know your pain. I have stopped lending tools to anyone none of my family or friends as I can't afford to replace them because they can't be bothered to put them back. Your lucky you managed to get it home without the belt slipping. Anyway bud good video keep it up.👍👍

[@AndykSuper2]

Real world mechanicing ..nice one Martin

[@DaveJudd]

That pump looked mega old,bet that was glowing hot and melted the guide pulley with the friction.Lucky the pump wasn't the toothed type pulley.

[@dillerud95]

This is too funny your personality makes it funny and educational

[@MegaDirtyberty]

Proper job!, well done that man.

[@davidvickers9029]

everything going wrong Martin, but you were lucky with that timing belt could have been a lot worse.

[@Phil-1969]

Evening Mart and Sharon Nice work mate , that could of been good bye engine, great video Mart I do enjoy the car ones the most , take care and batten down the hatches , we are in for a windy time

[@retrorestore]

Cheers Phil.

[@waynegoode1]

Look at the positives Martin the old Triumph makes a great work bench.

[@cabdriveruk]

Great video Martin. Wow that pump and idler must have been a bad batch to go out so quick, your lucky the belt didn't snap and come through the cover. I have used the gates kits on my Astra td and they seem pretty reliable. Cheers, Jeff.

[@retrorestore]

I didn't want to use Euro Car Parts Jeff as I've had many bad experiences with them.

[@timwilkinson2797]

Thanks M- good job !

[@rayk1431]

I wish you lived next door to me....🤣. Some mechanics I have used have no idea !. Top stuff !

[@paulalsbury7457]

Hi Martin If I remember rightly the triumph has a boot release next to the drivers seat.

[@Cavalier_Steve]

You was very lucky with that belt, it looked about 30% the width compared to the new one. We all have bad days like these great video though I’m doing timing belt water pump and the top rubber where the front suspension strut meets the suspension turret, as I’m getting clonking when I go over bumps, I suspect that Jimmy’s van has a similar issue. By the way I’m doing this work on my 1995 Cavalier. All the best. Steve.

[@rodney1818]

Oh I feel your pain brother I can't tell you how many times I've had to use 1/4 inch socket

[@shanebrookes1878]

Lucky old lad!!! Loving videos pal

[@ergz-vr6]

Martin loving the content. Don’t stress mate. It is wat it is. Best thing just get. A new Halfords set. Mate. Keep up the good content 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@retrorestore]

Cheers bud

[@mrb1864]

It most likely water pump bearing failing that overloaded the belt and idler . I would guess too if that belt changed it was only the belt and ilder/tension at best and pump original . Is good support local motor factors as they got it hard these days . Is indeed important buy quality brand oem manufacturer parts for this sort of repair . Kits we use most are Dayco mainly as find kit parts better . We charge 400 for full kit fitting and coolant flush/fill . Job jobbed and you saved decent lump of wedge and an engine swap video . You need a small portable and lockable tool box lol . Stay calm and keep tinkering . have a good weekend ...

[@rachaelknight8048]

i love doin them engines easy peasy ive had 2 when belt snapped because of pump seezing and only had to replace lifters and rockers

[@68xperfectx]

The engines designed like that so if the belt does break the weak link is the lifters, to avoid damage to the pistons and valves.

[@portsmouthted1429]

Ha ha ha ha the banter between you and Sharon is great, she needs to be in more v logs 😂😂

[@metalman4141]

Nice work 👍

[@charlesmccabe0]

Glad to see you actually driving a car instead of living under the hood! Good job!

[@paulyh4531]

We all get those days when it all goes jugs up mate 😉 , good task as usual 👍

[@barryjackson8512]

I’ve done a few of these on the z19dth. Very common failure. They normally take a few rockers out if the belt snaps.

[@garysnell47]

Great vid.. Informative... Subscribed! You don't fix mazda diesels do you?

[@nickbaker8191]

At 11.42, you can see the upper belt show really bad notches. What I like about you videos is that you do most effectively in the driveway and make it really great for many without the tools to make life easier. I am a great admirer. I am not into fitters, but I am a fellow mechanic, or rather was. Also I would advise you to use copper lube with some connections. Glad you use local motor factors. I have a great one

[@retrorestore]

Thanks bud, glad you enjoy the vids.

[@tentotwo8290]

Flippin heck, you were lucky the belt didn't snap. 👍👍👍

[@alanross2790]

My thoughts entirely.

[@matthewgreen1443]

Rockers snap normally still a big job but not to bad

[@morgangale1388]

well done mate saved youself a big payout great vid

[@DAVWELLS123]

Great video.....keeping ot real as per👍👍👍

[@martindaredare]

What a mess that was Martin , least you sorted it out . Good video.

[@haylandbroadley9166]

Its comon problem for the water pumps to seize on these, then cause belt to rub and slowly break away clogging up the tensioners/pulleys. Then eventually belt slips and bends valves. Just repaired 1 that this had happened to.

[@kevancroftkc]

Nice one Martin.

[@vdubs6068]

Great vid Martin 👍I'd go and buy a lottery ticket you got lucky that cam belt didn't let go. Have seen similar on 1.9 vectra and 1.9jtd alfa both 150bhp both water pumps failed locked up solid and cause cambelt to strip

[@retrorestore]

Yes Jamie, very lucky in this case.

[@ionracer24]

Welcome to my world amigo... I run into shit like that all the time as a mobile auto tech. Good practice when u do timing belts is to bar the engine over 3 to 4 timea to make sure all the marks line up bfore starting it. So what is the difference between quids, pounds etc?? I never did figure that out..

[@johnocallaghan9252]

What a lovely couple you two are

[@MalcOfLincoln]

Hopefully be in Woodhall picking up a Lister pulley Martin, so have to miss your livestream this week. BUT I had my first good news of the year yesterday.

[@MalcOfLincoln]

Btw mate......correct tension for a timing belt is twist it 90 degrees. Learned that when mine broke about?? 15 years ago. Should have been ok. Had it changed, life of belt 70, 000 miles.....broke at 43,000 miles.....one of those things.

[@retrorestore]

Nice one Malc, Are you sharing it in a video?

[@MalcOfLincoln]

@@retrorestore I'll do a video of fitting it. Most likely need help to get it off so possible another one as well.

[@Wetthewhistle]

The water pump has seized and caused all that. Common issue on the 1.9cdti and its plastic water pump people have been known to change them for a metal one before they let go.

[@procta2343]

I don't think they replace the full kit, its been known for garages just to change the belt and that's it. Happened on my 1st car, the garage who was selling the car had done the timing belt, but never bothered to change the water pump. As soon as I put a few miles on the clock, the water pump started to fail, and I took it to another garage who nearly destroyed the engine! Another garage tried to fix it but caused another problem. In the end the car went into a tuning place, which sorted the full lot out. Was a right faff on and cost me more than I paid for the car!

[@johnc5219]

I had that exact same problem on my zafira B with the same engine and auto box they are the 150bhp engine I got mine done at my local Vauxhall main dealer they only charged me £275 for the full kit supplied and fitted I think they got the price wrong but I wasnt complaining Haha

[@nicnak4475]

Nice work Martin well done , I am surprised you didn't do the ball joint on the van yourself as £250 does not sound cheap and you say it's still knocking , bet you will next time .

[@retrorestore]

It was for the MOT as well ans a couple of other bits. The car was already there and I was busy,

[@davidriley9194]

Good job you spotted it just time! If you didn’t then it be the end of the engine!

[@davidriley9194]

In*

[@markharris7662]

You were lucky to save engine. Just got it in time.

[@KartCentral]

You should do the lottery, because how you got it back without snapping the belt is quite an achievement! 😂 Had a problem with a water pump leaking out of the weep hole about a week after I changed it, quality of the parts can sometimes be questionable!

[@nickbaker8191]

Yes when you did Jimmy's timing belt, I have commented, always change the water pump and all pullies. You should join my Grumpy Old Men Club LOL and really, I would use latex gloves when doing anything involving oil. Plus need less Swarfega and failing that barrier cream. You have a good missus

[@adeh503]

Well done Martin, having a shit day and you still had the patient of a saint to get the job done 🏁🏁🏁

[@retrorestore]

Cheers Ade

[@markbowles8847]

Great vid as always buddy, ill see you 'virtually' saturday :) cheers - mark

[@retrorestore]

Cheers bud

[@69Phuket]

You & Shaz 4 Ever..') Jimmie's Van needs some graphics. Yo' the man with the machine!

[@retrorestore]

Haha, maybe one day.

[@jeffr0]

Put a little sliver of paper in the socket before the Torx. It’ll snug it right in.

[@TheOldRogue]

That's the 16 valve 150 engine, the lower 8 valve 120 engine is easy to tell because the oil filler is on the left side and yes they're a pain to change the water pump on.

[@retrorestore]

Yes, I found that out yesterday.

[@adamfletcher4262]

You were so lucky that belt didn't snap or jump off 😀

[@lidomolly2702]

I bet you the last garage to work on this replaced the belt only!

[@andynorris3537]

Wow you caught that just on time could have been a snapped belt