Part 2 Vauxhall Corsa C Head Gasket And Timing Chain Replacement Head Prep And Installation

In this video, we strip the cylinder head and prepare it for refitting to the Vauxhall Corsa C 1.2.
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Music
Intro Martin Butler www.totallyroyaltyfreemusic.co.uk
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[@daren_waters]

Just bought an old Corsa to do up, this is just one of the jobs. Thanks so much for making both vids. Garage quoted me £650 to replace gasket, chain and tensioners and as you say prob wouldn't include cleaning. I can see how my nect few weekends will be spent. Cheers!

[@Louis2282]

i am a novice at stripping a modern engine (ecu/cat ) but done many engines from the 60s,70s and 80s. i have watch a number of videos and you are the only one to give a detailed strip and clean of the head and hydraulic followers, thankyou ! although with an engine in such a state i would have removed and cleaned sump and filter holder and also checked valves, reground as required and new stem seals. my astra with a z14xep is just about to have the head off, i do this with more confidence now

[@silviuchitic162]

It's been a pleasure watching your videos. I don't even have a car yet.

[@tardeliesmagic]

I used to use that Comma X-FLOW engine oil for years,then switched to Magnatec 2 years ago,boy did it quieten the engine noticeably! My 2002 Yaris VVT-i engine (90,000 miles) wasn't noisy at all.It's quiet as a church mouse now.Great video.

[@andyfitz1992]

Really good vid, loved the detailed step by step explaination, it's rare you see people take the time to explain each stage instead of just doing a time-lapse for the whole video without slowing down and only doing a 'before' and 'after'. Today has been school and I have learned!

[@berlum1]

Just to say a big thanks. Just successfully replaced head gasket and timing chain etc on my 1litre Corsa C. Used this video (and part 1 of course). Would never have even tried without this! Runs great now. Thanks again.

[@retrorestore]

Well done bud

[@davidjary9584]

I’ve watched this 3 times now genuinely enjoy watching maybe it’s the calming music 😂

[@retrorestore]

Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@davidriley9194]

36:40 “BANG!”😂😂😂 This makes me laugh everytime when Gary makes you jump with a bang!😂😂 You did an excellent job on changing the head gasket and timing chain on the Corsa Mart! To be honest, getting the head gasket changed and the timing belt/changed by the garage that just cost more on what the car is worth and that’s when you end up scrapping the car, bet it saved you a hell a lot of money if you do the jobs yourself!😊 great job!👍

[@mattspencer3342]

best , honest video's Ive ever seen, showing practical solutions to the task in hand. helped me loads , many thanks, Matt

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Matt

[@mjcos1]

Always enjoy your very entertaining and interesting videos. The quality of work you put in is appreciated, filming,music and commentary. 👍

[@nemonemo252]

His taste in music is outstanding... we have the whole range from peaceful zen music to become one with the engine and nature... to 18:36 straight into a foxtrot ... wife and I peed ourselves laughing!!! :-) Thank you.

[@alesypalsy]

These 2 videos are the best on the internet mate!, I have watched them about 6 times over and over as i am about to remove head on corsa D 1.4 ,, it got 4 bent valves in cylinder 1 that need to be changed, I no idea ho wto do it but have faith after watching your videos mate, thank you very much for taking the time to film it with such in depth explanations, brilliant, the only thing that worries me with what im about to do is to get the timing set right as on mine it has big round things on the sprockets on the cams ,, got 2 plugs on them, they not on the corsa C, anyway thanks very much mate!

[@scott2214]

Brilliant video, I was going to take my corsa to the garage but instead you have given me the confidence to do this myself. Just what I was looking for, thanks for taking the time to film this and pass on your experience and knowledge.

[@WiggE86]

Without doubt the best guide I've seen. Will be giving it a go in the next few weeks! Thanks very much.

[@grazianolaudisio3644]

And? Was it hard to do?

[@pacman7959]

Yeh how did it go

[@nickbaker8191]

Excellent video - you are a hero. It used to be 25Nm, then 90° followed by 45° for a Corsa, but I suppose it has chained the bolts removed from the centre first the outside and when replaced first centre and the outer. But that was how Vauxhall trained me years ago. But I really liked this video and you described it really well throughout, and without the tools we used. torque angle gauge that REALLY makes life easier Costs about £8-£9. But paper is fine if not using often

[@itsscotty.d]

Great video and very informative it's one of the best videos I've seen for working on a corsa c engine. I've learned alot and cleared up my mind on the procedures. I'll be doing the same soon to my corsa. 😎

[@paulwisdom5383]

Quick tip - Print that angle guide on some stiffer card, punch a 1 inch hole into it and pass your socket through it ;) Way easier to set up. If you've got a long reach bolt magnet, you can use that on the bearing caps to hold the paper for you :) I've either got all this fun, or it's time to find another motor. Haven't decided yet :P

[@BaileyWootn]

Just spent my weekend replacing valve stem oil seals on my z12xe. Your video helped me a lot in understanding the job before undertaking it. Cheers.

[@user-mi7xt3wq8s]

Out standing tutorial helped a he'll of a lot thanks . Keep up the good work very interesting vlog. Your doing a brilliant job.

[@wwof1646]

I don't know why, but I love these videos and I just binge watch your videos ...don't stop!!! Gives me something to do at 3am in Australia ...

[@pcmphil]

great job with great details and very usefull tips. Thank very much was a pleasure watching them, keep up the great job.

[@SnGrg]

Thank you for explaining the camshaft locking logic, was very confused for a while as to if it was pointless if we took the camshaft off, great video.

[@stanleyhgv]

I need to do some work in my wife corsa d 1.2 very soon.. thx for the instructions. Good job 👍

[@Arounadabout]

Fantastic video once again, well done mate ! thoroughly enjoyed watching the video's on this repair.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Mark, Glad that job is done.

[@williamweir300]

great video martin love the way you explain things properly keep the videos coming look forward to the next one all the best

[@retrorestore]

I do try and explain things without complicating the issue. Don't feel the need to use techie terms lol. Cheers Martin

[@edwardobrien4614]

fantastic video , thank you for taking the time to do this,

[@xinixxagnix201]

love you so much, tablet on engine and fix my 1.0 :D thnx Martin!

[@Hoetobeajew]

One hell of a job that, hope that kid appreciates you doing that for him.

[@petefroud5308]

Nice job Martin. Some good tips . Nice humour at at the end. Nice to see on a sad day. Cheers Pete.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Pete. Cheers Martin

[@spencermaddz6653]

Thanks to these videos I’m attempting to do the headgasket etc on my corsa c, will update how it goes

[@retrorestore]

Good luck!

[@jamessturdy8228]

great video again martin, i learn so much from watching your videos.

[@retrorestore]

Glad you enjoy the vids James. Cheers Martin

[@Cubrider]

I tell ya summert pal I watch youtube car and bike videos hour after hour , I'm bloody hooked. And this is by far the best pair of videos I've ever watched. I've done this job myself in the past but wish I'd watched this 1st. I'm OK with mechanics as I mechanic for the TT bikes but so many top tip on here.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks bud, glad you enjoyed these vids and thanks for commenting. Cheers Martin

[@stebenit]

great vid Martin glad it all turned out well.. cheers Steve

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Steve. Cheers Martin

[@ashboy225]

I enjoyed the series, watched every minute of it. Cheers!

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Ash, glad you enjoyed these vids. Cheers Martin

[@ashboy225]

Hell, I enjoyed these few so much, I subscribed and working my way through all your Mondeo videos and the reliant trotter haha

[@retrorestore]

There's a few vids to keep you busy lol.

[@TheJono1987]

Brilliant videos matey! Being doing my first head gasket tomorrow! Actually really looking forward to it!

[@retrorestore]

Hope you sort it Jonathan. cheers Martin

[@UKCP-UK]

Excellent video, I have the exact same problem to sort out in the next few weeks.

[@kaibrown987]

nice one. great video.. Lots of great information, thanks again.

[@davidcorbett341]

good video pal nice one. I've got a 2001 corsa c and.just doing the basics atm but learning

[@user-mi7xt3wq8s]

Pleasure to watch brilliant tutorial keep up the good work .

[@geoffjacobs9705]

Just watched these great vidoes, I like the fact that you got stuck-in and took the time to clean it all up, simply brilliant. I only wish i was this skillful then I'd tackle myself; instead of handing mine over to a garage who'll just replace the parts. Great insight though into how a true mechanic works.

[@retrorestore]

I'm just a normal bloke having a go Geoff. I like to share knowledge with others who might like to try the same. Thanks for watching. Cheers Martin

[@djtaylorutube]

Thanks for your effort on this. Not my first head gasket/timing chain job by any means but always good to see a walkthrough and pick up tips and mentally gauge the job ahead this weekend. Very clear camera work, very clear narration. Daughters "shitbox" has had enough new parts on it, I should re-register it as a 2021+ model instead of 2005!

[@retrorestore]

Good luck with it Dave.

[@djtaylorutube]

@@retrorestore All done. Turns out the head gasket was ok but appears that the timing cover gasket had failed and was leaking coolant into the oil. Biggest PITA was that the car has the pressed steel exhaust manifold with welded cat. I got just one nut off which brought the stud with it. Every other nut had basically crumbled and the remains fused with the manifold and stud. Rather than spend an entire weekend or more trying to extract the studs, I undid the lower the nuts (well actually two snapped and the third was a cut off) and removed the head with manifold attached. It wasn't leaking before, it went back on untouched. Thanks again for doing the videos.

[@retrorestore]

@@djtaylorutube Well done bud. Rusted nuts = nightmare.

[@cristianb6269]

Just a quick detail for people who can't do it from the first shot: The timing locking kit- from some manufactures-you will get a crank locking rod which is fully inserted only in the wrong position. :) Despite the service manual which says the full lenght inserted is the correct locking position of the crank, it seems these particularly kits actually have the opposite. How to tell is the correct locking timing position :The crank has 2 turns for 1 camshaft turn,. In the incorrect position ( the one when rod is fully inserted) the wrench turning the crank is loose- the return rotation can backwards much more- while in the correct position , the crank wrench is tight- when you try to turn backwards the engine turning , it will lock right away . This is very important . since is not specified anywhere ,and I simply got down to the basics of 4 stroke engine timings to sort this out-

[@jaggass]

Fab job as always Martin.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Michael.

[@paulm5033]

super video martin very good

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

Great job Martin , looking great .. Thumbs up man..

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Shawn. Cheers Martin

[@vdubs6068]

Great vid Martin. Cheers Jamie

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Jamie

[@aquahits5674]

First video watched loved your explanation and sound guy mate keep it going

[@gdou95181]

Only just come across this and wat a fantastic video don’t even need to do this on my car but was very enjoyable to watch explained everything having helped out in a garage when I was 13 till about 16 doing servicing etc wud love to get hands back on a engine just unfortunately ain’t got the space and the time

[@casperthespottydog]

great stuff, martin, .....just what I like to see get stuck in and get the hands filthy,..... cheers Willie

[@R4G3xVIpeRz]

thank you man, you've helped me save my girlfriends car!

[@stephanroberts1014]

This looks promising, doing the same

[@martinelvy5686]

Thanks for taking the time and effort with this Vid. As a complete novice I have been able to get my daughter's Corsa back on the road! The only difficulty I had was that I didn't use the locking tool for camshalf sensor! School boy error! TOP

[@retrorestore]

Well done though bud.

[@cardroid8615]

How did you know where to put back the chain and metal sensor that goes with it then? I'm in the middle of doing this and didn't realise that was a part of the sensor for emissions etc. I wish I would've took a picture before I disassembled it. Cheers

[@Ddfhhdd12345]

Thanks for making the video. Really helpful

[@retrorestore]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LarryBees]

great job Martin !!!😀😀

[@jessicanicholson]

This video is amazing the head needs doing on mine and the timing chain

[@redmond410]

Better than any Haynes manual. Boss vid

[@cabdriveruk]

Great video Martin, great job on the rebuild.Flat battery and no fuel ,you have to do everything for these young ones lol.Look forward to more great videos Martin. Cheers, Jeff.

[@retrorestore]

Yes I know Jeff, He nicked my lawnmower petrol as well lol

[@tomo12345678911]

retrorestore Martin buddy excellent job but I've had trouble with the timing case before, you are suppose to support engine on gearbox and slacken the full sump and drop it down it makes putting the case of a piece of cake hope this helps!!

[@retrorestore]

Yes, i've heard that bud but in this case, it was the dowel's that were mis-shapen and the case fell on easily without lowering the sump once they were turned around.

[@leemarsh1773]

retrorestore great work pal

[@leemarsh1773]

retrorestore be my mechanic pal

[@train4905]

Fantastic job mart

[@vwcol..7719]

Good job as always Martin kills me how they all turn up at the end mine are the same unbelievable 😂😂

[@retrorestore]

Haha, yes I know. And he nicked my mower petrol lol

[@donestoring]

Brilliant insight into doing the job, having to do for a meriva in bits and bobs so not completed yet, but seeing for yourself is so much easier than a manaul.. Thanks a great deal. I'ts not a problem but I can find you doing the timing blade set up.

[@donestoring]

PS - back on the road, 100 miles done so far no probs, runs nice. Had considered scrapping the car!

[@spiderdad00]

Great video Martin nice job

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Tim

[@zorandrakulic]

Hello, great vid, one suggestion from me, i have read you need to put back sump in the end because timing case gets 0,5-1 mm upwards. And that can get you whistling sound abowe 3000 rews. That makes possible damage to oil pump, also there can be debriss and even more damage to engine.

[@Mark-fe8qw]

Going to try do a timing chain and gasket replacement on my corsa D, also there is a loud whining noise coming from the engine when accelerating, hope to god this fixes it.

[@Ahmed____]

Excellent guide, the 3 cylinder 1.0 and 4 cylinder 1.2 corsa engines are incredibly noisy even with a top end rebuild!

[@silverdash1]

great in depth video keep it up

[@catherinejones4172]

best video yet thanks

[@GregsMowing]

Well done Martin. It's astonishing how companies come up with how much poundage each bolt needs and 3 turns at 60 degrees, goodness knows how they get that idea. Haha. Looking forward to the trotter van.

[@retrorestore]

Yes, It's all a faff. Bring on the Trotter van lol

[@TK42138]

Good tip about the timing-casing locating dowels. 😊

[@retrorestore]

Yes, it took me ages to suss it though lol

[@daren_waters]

​@@retrorestoreMartin, did you pull them out and put them the other end in or just twist them round 180 deg?

[@retrorestore]

@@daren_waters I can't remember, sorry.

[@jeffersonelias7447]

Amazing stuff!

[@gedanded]

Hi Martin it's me again Ged my daughter took her car to a garage in Bristol and hey no £850 head gasket rubbish it's a new Oil Regulator and spark plugs wait a minute £270 thanks for helping me out you are the best 🤓

[@tigermoth3194]

Great job - good on ya, Martin!. Your next big job is to change the battery in your calendar in the log cabin as its stuck on February :)

[@gedanded]

Thankyou very much I really enjoyed watching the 2 videos you explain everything so clearly my daughter Heather has a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 60 reg with 56,000 on the clock the head gasket hasn't gone just yet so we've been advised it needs changing we"ve been quoted £850 so after seeing all your skilled work I understand why now . You have a lovely family and dog hope your son bought you a few pints for all that hard work Ged Torquay South Devon 🤓

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Ged, Glad you enjoyed the vids, yes it was a lot of work but I feel that £850 is too steep for a Corsa Head Gasket. Cheers Martin

[@gedanded]

retrorestore ....... Thanks for getting back to me Martin the trouble is our garage charge £45 an hour like many others do in Torbay the Vauxhall Dealers called Eden didn't want to know they were more concerned in selling me another car as if our's was a write off the car is in lovely condition apart from this head diagnosis its got to be worth saving as recently we were offered £3300 for it you are as good as Wheeler Dealers in my opinion have a lovely evening

[@scottwilliams1215]

nice1 Martin lad, crackin job :-)

[@kylefraser5490]

great video man keep up the good work

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Kyle.

[@DRI1966]

Thank You for this video , verry good work :)

[@davidmcnally4773]

Excellent video,

[@ballardtkd8200]

Great video gonna help a lot

[@crumplezone1]

Top how to video Mart, those kids of yours are a laff aint they LoL, teasing Dad !, best wishes to you all :)

[@retrorestore]

And he nicked my lawnmower petrol Jeff lol.

[@gymhull]

Brilliant videos on how too

[@joemcdonnell8188]

Love the videos Martin keep them coming would you to a tour of the work shop and toolbox an up to date one

[@retrorestore]

Yes, I could do when I tidy it up a bit though lol

[@aciddiver1978]

Really good video👍

[@Megalocade]

Cheers for this just what I was looking for, wife's corsa c 1.2 has a bunt exhaust valve I can see it with the bore scope, hgs been going for a while what will oil droplets in the expansion tank so good time to do a rebuild, should be interesting job, been years since I done hg.

[@stefano4017]

really really nice video👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@pauledwards3833]

Great vid Martin wish I had your patience when doing jobs, going to give the mower restore thing see what happens thanks Martin

[@retrorestore]

Yes Paul,stick to the Briggs and Stratton engined ones as in my vids and you won't go far wrong.

[@pauledwards3833]

will be keeping a look out thanks Martin

[@riche72t]

thank you very much for this video very useful and informative

[@retrorestore]

You are welcome

[@per2046]

"...this [thorough cam and cam parts cleaning] can literally wind the clock back on your car..." 16:50 Impressive attention to detail, Martin:) Thanks.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Per

[@pistahorvath]

Very good video!✌️➡️➡️🆒🦮

[@retrorestore]

Thank you very much

[@princeamongmen5558]

I recently bought an 06 corsa 1 ltr, got it cheap as dented or so I thought!, I checked for smoke/steam from exhaust but obviously not long enough as car is using water rapid!, Thanks for all your vids gives me confidence m8!, if I go for fix I will report back ok surrogate Uncle?

[@NickNakorn]

Excellent!

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Good job and video. Top tip on rocker cover. Who would have ever thought ask that crap would be up in there. Would have certainly been bad to get back in the engine.

[@retrorestore]

Yes it would Jim, loads of crap in there.

[@gabrielbaum9660]

Awesome bit of work there pal, and all done the proper way for a DIY person to do it, in the DIY enviroments that we all usually have, a shed, a drive, and a car port, I just purchased a 2006 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 without air con. For the wife, and the chain rattles when the engine warms up, which led me to believe that probably the previous owner used fully synthetic oil, which is thinner hence the noise, but i will keep an eye on it. I will change the oil grade as i saw you are using the 10/40 oil grade and see if it quiets down a bit, failing this i will attempt to change the timing chain. Haynes manual recommends lowering the sump altogether but i noticed you managed to take off the chain cover with the sump still in situ. I will attempt to do the same as it will save a lot of time and effort, what I would like to know please is where did you managed to obtain the locking tools for the job? as i am struggling to find someone that sells them here in Nottingham, ohhh I wish you was my neighbour pal, Thank You for a crackin' crackin' video 👍👍

[@retrorestore]

Good luck bud.

[@ivornappinion9406]

Well done.

[@deanjones5677]

another great how to good job welldone

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Dean. Cheers Martin

[@alanIrl99]

Great stuff :)

[@johngivens810]

brliant vid guna be doing this myself soon, so no skimming was needed just a shit load of precision cleaning with a compressor and razor blade, that is fantastic and with some petrol (naptha) to loose up the carbon deposits, again great video mate. my dream is to fit a Saab B204 turbo engine in my corsa but i just want to get to grips with working on the 1.2 at the moment. mine is also a twinport (dont think that your corsa engine had the twinport intake manifold) and mine has done 113k miles on the clock and the chain is quite stretched.

[@johnstubbs1585]

job well done sounded good and loved the extra attention to detail cleaning all the parts like you say garage would prob not go that extra mile hope you got a pint for your work lol

[@retrorestore]

No pint John and he nicked my lawnmower petrol haha

[@jimmydemetriou7847]

Nice work, you saved Jimmy a few quid!

[@retrorestore]

More like he costs me a fortune lol

[@TK42138]

Hi Martin, just an observation; at the start where you show the combustion chamber with the clean looking valves, this is probably the cylinder where the HG failed. When small amounts of coolant enter the combustion chamber when engine is running, it turns to steam which over time effectively 'washes' the area of residue, carbon etc. Seen this 'washing effect' on two of my cars and several customers cars (when I was a mobile mechanic) and all the affected cylinders were much cleaner compared to cylinders where HG was intact.

[@retrorestore]

Could be the case, at least we caught it in time before the head warped. Cheers Martin

[@scottbikerdude4337]

Job well done mate

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Scott.

[@jjHoss]

If you're doing three 60 degree turns the total is 180 degrees which is half a turn - so you could just mark the bolt heads (with a sharpie for example) and tighten them in three roughly 60 degree stages - as long as your marks end up at half a turn on the last tightening stage you're good.

[@alebarmx]

Fantastic video, thanks very much! Please what is the torque settings for timing gears and guides etc? Thanks again, great work!

[@retrorestore]

I can't remember bud it'll be online.