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[Kevin Wood]

A bit off topic on an Omega forum perhaps but my brother has got a 2001 Astra SXi with the Z18XE engine. It's about time the cam belt was changed and something around the exhaust manifold is blowing. Don't know if it's a cracked manifold or the gasket, broken studs, etc. yet because I haven't had the heatshields off. It quietens down completely when warmed up, sounds like a tractor when cold.

Just wondering if anyone's got any experience with this engine. In particular:

Any gotchas with the cam belt on this engine?
Does anyone have a cam locking kit they would be willing to loan?
Is a waterpump change advised with the cam belt? Does cam belt drive the waterpump?
What's the likely prognosis on the blowing exhaust manifold? As bad as the Omega? (cracked manifold, broken studs, etc?)

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

[Jay w]

not too sure about the manifold but i have done a cambelt change on one of these in my Zafira.

They are not too hard. i had to remove the engine mount though (no great issues there though)

I was brave and didn't use a locking kit   although i have never done so with the 4 Cyl cars, 6 Cyl is a different ball game

Water pump is a must on one of these, would be a false enconomy not to do it

HTH

Jay

[Taxi_Driver]

If its a similar setup the the Veccy's , removing the airbox gives more room.

I watched as I got my local garage to do it on my veccyB, I got them to change the waterpump as well.....they ended up smashing it to pieces to get it out.....it was corroded in solid! Probably orig water pump  :-/ if so it had lasted 160k miles. Recently had it changed again....200k and didnt bother this time to change the water pump.

So depends how long the water pump has been in there......and how brave you are if it wont come out easily!  

[Marks DTM Calib]

Its more likely to be the X18XE1 engine I would of thought....

Easy enough to do, you need to pop the engine mount off but, thats not hard.

Use a locking tool (they are cheap), it only takes one false move and a cam can spring round and you then have problems.....not worth the risk.

And, always replace the water pump on the 4 pots as they are cam belt driven..

[Andy B]

....
Use a locking tool (they are cheap), .......

eBay locking tool I did my wifes 16v 1.6 Astra - peice of cake.

[Kevin Wood]

Thanks for your help guys.

Kevin

[Markie]

just done one of these - do prefer the omega set up as access can be quite tight - an afternoon saw it done for me and cahnge out of £100  

[Kevin Wood]

just done one of these

Ahh, OK. Penny dropped. The water pump will denfinately be on the list then  

Kevin