Vauxhall Corsa - Cam belt?

TraderDJ

Hi,

I'm getting a Corsa (Club 12v, 2001, if that makes any difference) - due to pickup in the week.

I read about awful failure from cam belt fails etc. I've had a look around at other Corsas for sale and none seem to mention cam belts. Whereas other cars I've been looking at (if they've had a change) make a point of saying it.

I was assuming that meant the Corsa doesn't have one (uses a chain?), but thought I better check to be sure!

TrickyWicky

Some corsas do indeed have chains. I personally know of 3 people who have a corsa with a chain but I don't know if that applies to all corsas or just certain models.

Bettie

my v reg corsa 1L has a chain

atrixblue.-MFR-.

more commonly the 1.0 12v corsa 1.2 16v corsa's have chains

TraderDJ

Thanks everyone, that pretty much confirms what I had assumed then

Is there an easy way to check?

motorguy

TraderDJ wrote: »

Thanks everyone, that pretty much confirms what I had assumed then

Is there an easy way to check?

Ring your local vauxhall dealer with your chassis number and ask them - they can check easily.

OR, look for the cam housing in the engine bay - it'll be behind the drive belts on the LHS of the engine. If its cast metal, then its a chain, if its plastic then its a belt.

paddedjohn

Are you buying from a dealer? if so try and negotiate getting it done as part of the deal. If you do need to get it done yourself and its a chain then expect quotes ranging from £250-£400 to do the job or if you are handy with a spanner then about £140 for the chain kit, oil filter, oil and flushing oil and about 4 hours of your time.

Mankysteve

How many miles on clock? You'll hear the chain if is old enough.

TraderDJ

Thanks,

Nope not from a dealer - private sale. It's done 88,000 miles.

Ha, nope certainly won't be going anywhere near it myself though when it comes to replacement!! Most I'm doing myself is possibly changing the radio, and might even pay the £30 to get Halfords to do that!

Having looked at the others, they were all a similar type of mileage and cost a bit more or were further away so more in petrol - but I couldn't find one that mentions the belt/chain at all!

westy23

Afternoon all
With regard to a corsa if it is a 05/55 plate,
Check that the camshaft bolts have been checked for tightness.
See here.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=69027

s_b

evil nasty little engine the 1.0 litre
as said you can hear them at 400 paces usually
i suggest if you insist on buying one of these things you have the oil and filter done straight away as they never get done and the oil filter degrades into the oil catastrophically
yes its a cam chain and not a good design where the water pump can leak into it