120 replies to this topic

[n1k_ns]

I read a post earlier which prompted me to reaserch the timing chain issue on my 2002 N/A,

Lateley i have noticed a strange rattling sound on engine startup (cometimes) that usuallyu goes away after afew minutes. I assumed this could be a broken engine mount or something rattling around. My car is at 41K.

I have just read through some old posts, two key things to note:

1) Snapped Timing Chain usually occurs at 41k

2) Look out for rattling sound on engine startup

Gutted!

I expect that if i dont do anything soon i will be standing roadside with a fooked engine

The car is obviously way out of warranty being an 02 plate, whats the best thing to do? Go to Vaux? get a mechanic?

I dont want this:

[n1k_ns]

Can anyone help me determine if mine is affected (although I'm 99% it is) VIN - W0L0EAR971N001419 ENGINE NO - TA048603 DATE OF 1ST REG: 01/03/2002 Please Help

[luna_s]

yeah you dont want that......

dont want to scare monger too much but if you suspect the chain, get it done asap or it will
cost a veritable fortune to put right

tried the z22se forums ?, few people on there that do them (not sure about vx tho) or you could take it to vauxhall and try the old customer complaint thing.

looks like yours is in range too

http://www.speedster.....ing Chain.pdf

[n1k_ns]

Thanks Luna,

I have just got hold of the email address of the head guy at Wolverhampton Vauxhall and sent the below email:

Dear XXXXX

XXXXXXX blah blah etc etc XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I have a 2002 Vauxhall VX220 2.2. The mileage is currently 41k miles and i have noticed an intermittent ticking sound on cold startup.

from searching the owners club forums i have discovered that the early 2.2 VX220's had a known fault where the engine timing chain was insufficiently lubricated causing the chain to snap. This apparently usually occurs at 41k miles (Which mine is at).

The cam chain snapping obviously will result in serious engine damage and i would like to have this looked at as soon as possible.

The fault occurs on any VX220 with an engine number below 11065400 (Mine is TA048603). I have been advised to quote Rework 03-P-24. Apparently a modified tensioner and lubrication nozzle have been introduced into production as of March 2002 to rectify this problem.

Please could you advise me on the best course of action to take, and whether or not i would be liable to pay for the works required.

Chassis No - W0L0EAR971N001419
Engine Number - TA048603
Date of First Registration - 01/03/2002

Kind Regards

XXXXXXXXXX blah blah XXXXXX


I really hope i don't have to pay for this , if i do; then the car will be up for sale in the coming months as it is costing a small fortune in repair bills to keep it on the road

Edited by n1k_ns, 16 July 2007 - 05:24 PM.

[pugwhizz]

mine sounds the same although a few peeps say it sounds like a hydraulic tappet thats just taking longer than usual to fill for some reason, but im not convinced. having read your letter (which is excellent i must say) im thinking of firing a similar one off to my local vauxhall dealer and see what hey say. let me know if you hear anything... cheers andy oh, and does anyone know how much the work costs if it has to be paid for? ta

[luna_s]

i got fobbed off when i ranted, maybe i shouldn' t have ranted, they basically said you must take it to a dealer to be checked etc etc, i had no way of taking the car there at all, in the end i thought i don't want vauxhall crawling all over it and decided to do it myself, good luck

[SAPD]

Sorry, I can't be of any help but I'd be very interested in the outcome, if you wouldn't mind keeping us updated. Best of luck getting it sorted (quickly and inexpensively)

[n1k_ns]

Thanks guys! i will keep you updated

[SamVx]

I have just got hold of the email address of the head guy at Wolverhampton Vauxhall and sent the below email:

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! Never used them, but from what Mandarin has told me - I never will....

[n1k_ns]

I know mate, Ive heard nothing but bad things, but i dont really have a choice They are supposedly the Midlands "VX220 Specialists" Maybe i will PM cragpuss to see what he thinks....

[mandarinvx]

Nooooo, do not use Wolverhampton, they will break your car

I think there is a Vx220 specialist in Lichfield Have you spoken to TMS (Vaux approved remember )

I mentioned the timing chain to the service manager at Worfield when I had my MOT done a couple of weeks ago - I said I'd take a copy of the field remedy in with me, I'll let you know the outcome

[Sutol]

as long as the car is less than 6 years old you should be able to get the TC done as a rework, well i did anyway.

[n1k_ns]

Thanks Manderin, what year is yours? I would take it to TMS but i hear its a 3 day jobbie? I'll drop john an email to see what he thinks Sutol - how long did it take to do yours mate?

[mandarinvx]

Mine's an '01 - there was mention of them only paying for timing chain rework up until the end of this year, Personally, I don't think they have a leg to stand on with the Field Remedy sheet stating there is a known problem, first step is to take it to a dealer and let them have a listen I phoned customer services and logged a query with their Tech Dept about the timing chain - she said they will only pay once they know it is on its way out - so I got a Ref number for possible future use

[benw]

I'm willing to bet it's a fractured exhaust manifold and not a timing chain. Start the car from cold then stick your head ander the engine cover. You shouldn't be able to smell any exhaust fumes. If you can it's probably the manifold. A new one is 70 something quid and will cost you about the same again to get it fitted.

[slindborg]

despite my engine number clearly being in the range the chassis number wasnt.... so since the chassis number wasnt in range they didnt care.... doodahs (icey no other word can describe them lol) I got a timing chain kit + gaskets, seals and bolt from AV for jsut under £100 and did the job myself... took 8 saturday hours so thats 5ish normal hours (and that was mainly doing it blind (no manual jsut certain pages of TIS)

[Sutol]

Thanks Manderin,

what year is yours?

I would take it to TMS but i hear its a 3 day jobbie?

I'll drop john an email to see what he thinks

Sutol - how long did it take to do yours mate?

They had the car for 3 days but they were doing the servo hose and a few other things to. They took the rear clam off which they said they would allow 4 hours (presumably thats for getting it back on again as well). I believe that the job can be done without having to remove the clam though. Sorry can't give you more info.

[n1k_ns]

Update: Just rang up Vauxhall in Wolverhampton, no record of my email or the fax i sent i explained the situation and even quoted the ref 'Rework 03-P-24' Her: Ok so bring it down on Thursday and we will do the work Me: Ok great, how many days will it take? Her: It should only take one hour Me: One Hour? From what iv'e heard it is major engine work and takes afew days?! Her: No the recall only takes one hour Me: No this is not the vacuum hose recall as ive already just told you!, this is a fault with the camchain. Her: The vacuum hose is the only outstanding recall on your vehicle Me: Yes you have told me that already, but this is not an official recall but is a know fault. Can i give you the reference number again please "Rework 03-P-24" Her: Ok thats fine, the recall should take one hour so can you arrange to bring the car down on Thursday The convo went round in circles like that for most of my Lunchbreak, so i have just emailed Thorney to see what they think, and would it be possible for them to carry out the work under a recall FOC. Its annoying as Wolverhampton Vauxhall are supposed to be the VX220 specialists!! FFS!!!

[Kenni]

I wrote to Vauxhall a few times regarding this. My VIN in outside the recall, but the engines number is within the faulty range. They told me that no outstanding rework is due and inspection charges on the cam chain and jet would be charged to me. What i believe is they wont do anything until the problem has occurred. So what i've done is to keep the letters with them stating my car's timing chain and jet is not defective. If anything goes pop (touch-wood it never does), i'm gonna use the letters to help my claim.

[slindborg]

kenni, had the same thing.... took it to a vauxhall dealer who would inspect the car... the "inspection" was the monkey logging into the computer and tapping in my chassis number.... got a call saying the car is fine. I told them to LOOK at the rework/recall notice and LOOK at the engine number fitted to the car/on the V5/on the VIN plate. they said they wouldnt as the computer said its fine. Same for rear wheels... ive got no HT stamp I even offered to pay £100 for them to take a wheel off and LOOK at the parts fitted but as the computer said no they wouldnt even do that. Keep ALL letters to and from GM, have the cnuts in court ASAP.