Hi All, I have an Astra 1.6 CDTI K series car, the timing chain is rattling at 66k, was going to live with it as it requires the Gearbox removal to gain access to the valve timing gear.. Stupid design but why am I not surprised! Anyway the clutch has gone so now is the convieniant time to do the timing chain and gear replacement. It would seem the timing chain replacement kits do [B]not[/B] contain a gasket that is installed behind the engine oil fed timing chain tensioner, the purpose of this gasket is to prevent the oil from leaking out of the mating face between the timing chain tensioner and the engine block when the engine is switched off. This is one of the main causes of premature timing chain wear on these cars, as there is a time delay when the engine is first started before the engine oil pressure is sufficient enough to operate the timing chain tensioner. This gasket is part of a Service Bulletin issued by Vauxhall to address this issue, the Vauxhall part number is 55515025, and it will cost you at least £53.00!!!!! and to my knowledge only available from Vauxhall. If you have a vehicle that you are replacing the timing chain on I would strongly recommend you either find a kit that includes this gasket or purchase one in addition to the kit separately. It really annoys me that this is an inherent design fault that is down to Vauxhall, yet they have the audacity to charge us an extortionate amount of money to address an issue they have caused. There is absoluetly no value in replacing the timing chain and asscotiated pulleys, tensioner , guides without the installation of this gasket.
