Opel Astra value service (old thread)

Compudaro

04 Astra, 1.4 (newer shape) with 40000 miles due a service.
Anyone recommend a good value garage in dublin south? I'm not sure if it has a timing belt or chain, how can i tell and is it due to be replaced around now?
Thanks

Compudaro

Anyone?

patrickc

that astra has a timing belt, and should be changed every 5 years as the rubber can perish, so if you havent it done ever, I'd recommend getting it done as soon as.

cant recommend dublin south garages, but just for belt a main dealer will charge you over 400 for that and water pump also.

Compudaro

Thanks Patrck, the waterpump was replaced at 30k and somewhere in the back of my mind I thought I remembered the mechanic saying something about me being lucky that the car had a chain and not a belt! Am I wrong?

patrickc

Compudaro wrote: »

Thanks Patrck, the waterpump was replaced at 30k and somewhere in the back of my mind I thought I remembered the mechanic saying something about me being lucky that the car had a chain and not a belt! Am I wrong?

the OH has one and the interval is 100000 km or every 60 months. hers is the 1.6 and has a belt. I can't imagine yours having a chain tbh, best bet is to ring the main dealers tomorrow and ask , I always do if unsure.

have a look at tech specs in this link

http://www.perrys.co.uk/vauxhall-astra-1.6i-16v-exclusiv-5dr/new-and-delivery-mileage/offer-174037

Lucifer

Your astra has a timimg chain. Your astra is an Astra H model (04-09) and the 1.4l is a Z14XEP engine which runs on a timing chain. The 1.6l is a Z16XEP which has a timing belt which should be replaced every 150,000km or 10 years. The older model, the Astra G (98-04), with a 1.4l engine has a timing belt which should be replaced every 40,000 miles or 4 years.

Compudaro

Thanks for that. Does my chain need replacing?

PixelTrawler

I've a 1.4 04 new shape astra as well

The service book mentions every 150000km or once every 10 years for the chain although its not totally clear what if anything needs to be done.

Check the smaller service booklet in the manual pouch.

Lucifer

In general you do not need to change the timing chain. There is no set interval so it is only changed if there is a problem. Sometimes they can stretch resulting in a loud rattle from the engine, in which case it would have to be changed. The chain is lubricated by the engine oil so the best maintainance you can do is regular oil changes with the correct oil (5w30 for this engine)

EDIT by the way, I'm a mechanic working in an opel garage so I deal with these engines every day.

downwithit

Lucifer,

Have you seen any issue with the oil light coming on at idle in the Astra H, turns off immediately with any slight rev, it has enough oil in the engine. Would this be an oil pump issue?