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Timing Chain for Vauxhall Meriva

duncan32
duncan32 Posts: 524 Forumite
Hello,

I'm posting on my friends account and I was wondering if anyone could help me. My car (Vauxhall Meriva) started sounding very noisy so I took it to a garage who said it needed a new Timing Chain but only a Vauxhall garage could do it.
The Vauxhall garage want to charge me £770 to replace it!
Am I being ripped off or is this a fair price?
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Rob
«1

Comments

  • Pink.
    Pink. Posts: 17,675 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].
  • mcjordi
    mcjordi Posts: 4,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    if its out of warranty then theres no need for a vauxhall dealer to do it

    any decent garage can do it, the timing chain kit can only be bought from a vauxhall dealer maybe thats what this garage meant???
    its very similar to getting a timing belt changed
    Sealed pot challenger # 10
    1v100 £15/300
  • harveybobbles
    harveybobbles Posts: 8,973 Forumite
    I'd contact Vauxhall and ask if the recal has been done. If not, then they should do it FOC regardless of it being out of warranty. Vauxhall are WELL aware of a fault on the timing chains on the smaller engines.
  • Sirbendy
    Sirbendy Posts: 537 Forumite
    500 Posts
    I thought that was only on the Z22 2.2 litre, where they had the recall due to the wrong oil jet....?
  • harveybobbles
    harveybobbles Posts: 8,973 Forumite
    They did recalls on the timing chain on the 1.0 and 1.2. The chains just used to snap on the 2.2 but never bothered to issue a recall notice.

    Oil pumps were also !!!!!! on the 1.0 and 1.2 and did recalls on them too.
  • oldagetraveller
    oldagetraveller Posts: 3,653 Forumite
    edited 7 May 2009 at 1:52PM
    I'm almost sure the Meriva is/was fitted with 1.4?, 1.6 & 1.8 petrol engines (however, correction please if this is wrong!) and 1.3 & 1.7 Diesel engines so the recalls for 1.0 & 1.2 engines, or even 2.2 will not apply?
    My daughter has a 1.0 Corsa and has only been recalled for the ABS wiring fault, it's dependent on VIN and/or engine number I suspect as her's wasn't affected with regards the timing chain being outwith the relevant manufacture period.
    OP needs to advise which engine is fitted, I think a chain is only fitted to the 1.4 petrol and 1.3 Diesel, again open to correction.:D
  • Sirbendy
    Sirbendy Posts: 537 Forumite
    500 Posts
    it won't be a 1.6, those are cambelt jobs. Same as my Astra.
  • duncan32
    duncan32 Posts: 524 Forumite
    Thanks all,

    I've just called my friend and it is a 1.4 engine.

    The question he/we now has/have is "how much should he expect to pay the dealer to provide him with the timing chain?" Then, he can call a normal garage to get them to quote on fitting it, perhaps?

    Thanks again for this help, which might hopefully save him a fair few bob by the sounds of it!

    Duncan

    :beer:
  • brazilianwax
    brazilianwax Posts: 9,438 Forumite
    The timing chain tensioners failed on our 2.2 vectra last year. Apparently not covered by the recall (:confused:). Had to get it towed to vauxhall (nearest place) who had the car 6 weeks and cost £1k to fix (there was valve damage).

    Supposedly the chains never fail, and the tensioners never need checking. :rolleyes: Won't be buying another!
    :A MSE's turbo-charged CurlyWurlyGirly:A
    ;)Thinks Naughty Things Too Much Clique Member No 3, 4 & 5 ;)
  • Sirbendy
    Sirbendy Posts: 537 Forumite
    500 Posts
    Make sure you shop around - I've just got a quote for the 60k cambelt change on my Astra, for a full kit including rollers, and a new thermostat as mine's packed up.

    Went from £300, to £200 at an independent by work I use, to £136.20 at a local garage to my flat, who did some excellent work on my old cars tracking and transformed it.

    Needless to say she's booked in for the day there.

    Vauxhall say 80k/8 years per cambelt..my bum it is. The car is 9, with 54k on it. Therefore it's early AND late for one.
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