Ratting noise in Opel Astra

masterK · 31-12-2010 9:46am #1

My Astra is now making a fairly loud rattling noise when stationary, I don't notice it when driving just when stopped at lights.

Am I right in saying it's the timing chain? If so any ideas of the likely repair costs? Thanks

LookBehindYou · 31-12-2010 10:04am

It could be that the exhaust is vibrating against something, You didnt say what sort of astra, because i think it may not have a timing chain.

masterK · 31-12-2010 10:07am

It's a 2005 SXi, don't think it's the exhaust, it definitely sounds like it's coming from the engine

Lucifer · 31-12-2010 10:28am

By the way you are describing it it does sound like the timing chain. I've changed a few for the same reason. From 2004 on in the Astra h model the 1.4 engine is a Z14XEP and all have a timing chain. Engine in the previous model was a belt.

masterK · 31-12-2010 10:35am

OK, thanks for the response, any ideas of a ballpark cost?

DaveJac · 31-12-2010 11:25am

looking about €300 to replace the timing chain fairly common on them to start ratteling, make sure you service the car regularly with good oil will prolong the life of the new chain

andyseadog · 31-12-2010 12:18pm

push the clutch in when the car is idling and see if the noise stops, it could well be the clutch release bearing.

Skuxx · 31-12-2010 12:29pm

Not trying to hijack your thread OP but I mate of mine has a sort of rattling noise coming from his 99 focus! Its coming from the serpintine belt area. Possible belt tensioner or alternator bearing or something?

Nissan doctor · 31-12-2010 6:46pm

As mentioned above, press the clutch when stopped and if the noise goes the a release bearing is the problem.

If not the chain is likely but that would only be the case if the car has high milage or has had the wrong oil used during services.

kazul · 31-12-2010 8:00pm

Lucifer wrote: »

By the way you are describing it it does sound like the timing chain. .

Going on a very basic description of the problem, you're jumping the gun big time on your diagnosis there.
I'm more inclined to agree with alan1990 re. belt tensioners etc.
OP, at least try to rule out simpler/cheaper stuff first. The timing chain should be fine on such a young car.

Lucifer · 31-12-2010 8:18pm

I'm going by my experience of them. I work in an opel main dealer. I work on these every day so have a fair bit of knowledge about them. Have seen a few chains give trouble on them usually due to lack of oil changes. The fan belt tensioner wouldnt give the rattle that is described and I've never replaced one for this reason. I'm not trying to jump to the most expensive option, just the most likely one.

kazul · 31-12-2010 8:48pm

Fair enough Lucifer. I had a similar problem with my Nissan and it turned out to be a cheap and simple alternator belt tensioner.
I guess Nissan are just a much better engine

My timing chain should be a job for life, 12 years old and at least 160,000km on the clock and she's still sweet as a nut :cool: Touch wood.

Nissan doctor · 31-12-2010 8:57pm

kazul wrote: »

Fair enough Lucifer. I had a similar problem with my Nissan and it turned out to be a cheap and simple alternator belt tensioner.
I guess Nissan are just a much better engine My timing chain should be a job for life, 12 years old and at least 160,000km on the clock and she's still sweet as a nut :cool: Touch wood.

It would be nice if that was the case these days, unfortunatly alot of n16 almera's, P12 primera's and k12 Micra's are suffering chain problems too..

andyseadog · 31-12-2010 9:09pm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

It would be nice if that was the case, unfortunatly alot of n15 almera's, P12 primera's and k12 Micra's are suffering chain problems too..

comeback of the year there! :rolleyes:

kazul · 31-12-2010 9:12pm

andyseadog wrote: »

comeback of the year there! :rolleyes:

Not really, I agree with Nissan Doctor. Fortunately the vq20 in my sled is one of the best engines ever built.
It doesn't need a Nissan Doctor, just a nurse and some TLC

Nissan doctor · 31-12-2010 9:13pm

andyseadog wrote: »

comeback of the year there! :rolleyes:

Nissan doctor · 31-12-2010 9:17pm

kazul wrote: »

Not really, I agree with Nissan Doctor. Fortunately the vq20 in my sled is one of the best engines ever built.
It doesn't need a Nissan Doctor, just a nurse and some TLC

VQ's are fantastic engines, probably because they are all Japanese built with no french parts:rolleyes:

andyseadog · 31-12-2010 9:18pm

i genuinely thought it was a good comeback. the emoticon may have confused things

kazul · 31-12-2010 9:54pm

But it wasn't really a comeback Andy, my old Nissan engine is about 100 times better than a 1.4 opel heap. I agree that modern 4-banger nissan engines aren't as good.
But I'd still take a modern nissan over an opel any day of the week. Opels are mutton dressed up as lamb IMO, they are constantly raiding the old parts bins and creating frankenstein cars.

andyseadog · 31-12-2010 10:00pm

im not an opel fan either.

i've owned a k11 and k12 micra both high milers doing well clear of 100,000 miles and they have never given a minutes trouble, but i believe a lot of people have seen awful trouble with the k12's and the so called 'chocolate' timing chain stretching as early as 25-30k miles.

and now that nissan and renault are in bed together, things can only get worse.

Ratting noise in Opel Astra

Comments