Buying a car is a big budget for many people, nevertheless, to this one you will have to add the routine service of your motor vehicle, and for some routine service acts the bill can be quite high. It is so obvious to ask yourself when is the right time to perform these repairs and not do them “for nothing”. Today we are going to describe to you when to replace the timing belt on your Opel Astra? For that, first of all, we are going to see why it is essential to achieve this process of routine service, then, when to do the timing belt of your Opel Astra , then, we are going to fairly quickly describe to you how this change is done, and, finally, how much it costs to do the timing belt of a Opel Astra.
Why do we need to replace the timing belt of an Opel Astra?
As we told you in introduction, changing a timing belt on a Opel Astra represents a very important budget, so we understand that you are hesitant to do it and to allow you to understand the importance of this fix, so we will fairly quickly describe why it is so important to do it on time.
Your Opel Astra’s timing belt action
The timing of a Opel Astra has an important purpose in the smooth running of your engine. Obviously, it will have the mission to synchronize the valves and pistons, and to make the link between the camshaft, the water pump, the crankshaft and the injection pump . It will allow the engine to work properly, and avoid any risk of engine breakage. The shorter the distance your vehicle travels, the more your belt will be solicited when starting the engine.
What are the risks if the timing belt is not changed in time?
The problem with the timing of a Opel Astra is that it is internal to the engine. And therefore, contrary to an accessory belt, it is unachievable to visually check its condition. So you might presume that this belt is just an unimportant part, but the risks you take if you don’t replace it in time are substantial. If the timing of your Opel Astra breaks, you will definitely have to replace the engine of this one. Obviously, the pistons will hit the valves and damage them, and the camshaft will as well break. The faster the engine is running at the moment of the breakage, the more significant the outcomes are. It is consequently vital to make your timing belt on time .
When to do the timing belt of its Opel Astra?
We will now answer the question that you all have to ask yourselves, when to make the timing belt of a Opel Astra? It is required to know that each engine is different and as we revealed earlier, we must not miss on the replacement of this part. The more we advance in time the more the manufacturers improve the timing belt and normally the more recent your Opel Astra will be the less you will have to get worried about your belt. However, look at your Opel Astra’s service book to get the exact life and maximum mileage you can achieve before you do the timing . On average, timing belts have a life of 5 to 10 years and a maximum mileage between 80, 000 and 200, 000km .
How to replace the timing belt of an Opel Astra?
As the timing belt of a Opel Astra represents a high budget, one can logically question if it is not possible to replace it oneself. Sadly it is very tricky to access and only the most experienced amateur mechanics and the most equipped with tools will have the ability to consider this procedure, we will however fairly quickly summarize the different steps to be carried out to change this timing belt:
- Place the Opel Astra on stands, and depending on your engine you may have to remove a wheel. Remove the timing gearboxes
- To do this, you must buy the timing kit so that all the engine elements remain in the right position, in any other case your engine will break. Remove the other components that bother you (damper pulley for example).
- Remove the old distribution after loosening the tension rollers. Before positioning the new one, you must remove all the tensioning rollers and the water pump.
- Place the new water pump.
- Install the new tension rollers, pay attention to the location of each one.
- Install the new distribution of your Opel Astra by respecting the markers.
- Tension the belt as outlined by the manufacturer’s info.
- Put the rest of it back together.
- Verify that the engine is running properly.
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Changing the timing belt how much does it cost?
And finally, we’ll try to give you an idea of the price if you want to change the timing belt of your Opel Astra . Take note that if you do it at the mechanic of the brand or at a motor vehicle center like Feu Vert the price can vary quite a lot, but in general we estimate that the price of the distribution varies between 400 and 900 euros , depending on the place where you do it and your engine. Please be aware that the kits include the belt, idlers and water pump.
To find more tips on the Opel Astra, take a look at the Opel Astra category.
