Vauxhall Astra timing chain - low compression
Variant: 1.6 petrol
Model Year: 2010
Categories:
Leaks & Noises
Hi got a funny one with the above car.
I have been asked to fit a timing chain to the engine because the owner has take it to three separate garages and they have all said it needs replaced.
That's fair enough considering its it has developed a rattle when running.
The problem is i am not that convinced, mainly because it wasn't in the garage for that problem.
Its engine management lights came on whilst driving so he called out the RAC and a quick diagnostics test revealed a discrepancy with the cylinder compression.
He then checked it manually and the first three pots all read around 170psi and number 4 only read 70psi.
It was myself who said to take it to the garage to have a second test done to confirm it, which no garage actually did, one quoted after hearing it running the chain has come loose so the timing is out hence the low compression.
I have second guessed myself all week about this because to me if one cylinder was out due to the chain having slipped a tooth, then all cylinders would be out would they not?
I have been asked to fit a timing chain to the engine because the owner has take it to three separate garages and they have all said it needs replaced.
That's fair enough considering its it has developed a rattle when running.
The problem is i am not that convinced, mainly because it wasn't in the garage for that problem.
Its engine management lights came on whilst driving so he called out the RAC and a quick diagnostics test revealed a discrepancy with the cylinder compression.
He then checked it manually and the first three pots all read around 170psi and number 4 only read 70psi.
It was myself who said to take it to the garage to have a second test done to confirm it, which no garage actually did, one quoted after hearing it running the chain has come loose so the timing is out hence the low compression.
I have second guessed myself all week about this because to me if one cylinder was out due to the chain having slipped a tooth, then all cylinders would be out would they not?
Posted: Mar 17, 2013 (11 years ago)
Might have jumped more than one tooth and be miles out .Strange just affecting the one cyl as you say , but double check compressions .May be a case of two faults or more . Could be timing chain , valves or head gasket or combination of all three .
Posted Mar 18, 2013 (11 years ago)
You are right to be suspicious. If you take the cam cover off, you should be able to see if one of the cams has slipped as the alignment marks on the cam won't be in the same place. Not very likely that both slip the same amount. But if so it would be really poor on power. Likely to just have two faults and it is all going to have to come apart. Valve issue, or head gasket as the other answer was.
Posted May 14, 2013 (11 years ago)
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