Timing belt

[Skara]

Ok this question might be stupid to some of you but I can't find any info around the forum, anyway. I want to do my first timing belt change but when I went to buy the parts I didn't have an idea there are two types of belts(111 and 146 teeth) does somebody know which one I need for C20NE (MY1993) so I don't have to count the teeth while it is still on the engine ?

[vexorg]

I thought the C20NE was the same over the years, other engines did have a change around 1994 from round teeth to square teeth on the belt.

Did you look it up or did a motorfactors? Most factors are very good at getting the right parts based on the car reg.

[Skara]

Yeah, he could not get it of the reg because the engine was changed it was originally C16NZ, but I don't understand why different lenghts the timing belt drives only water pump there aren't any other aux's that are driven by it

[vexorg]

Maybe it's showing the option for the 16v head 2.0, both had the same block, but 35 teeth seem like a huge difference.

[Skara]

Yeah that's my thought also but then again they are searching by the engine power also and 16v didn't come with less than 110kw

[Robsey]

Looking at Opel Vectra-A, the correct part number is :-
90 411 770 - Kat No. 6 36 568,
Now replaced by-
9 128 725 - Kat No. 56 36 562

As it happens, 1993 is when the belt shape changed
From the fully rounded, to the flat-topped teeth.

[Skara]

So the correct number of teeth would be 146 ?

[Robsey]

EPC does not mention teeth quantity, just tooth profile.

[Skara]

Well the things you learn, thank you Rob once again.

[Robsey]

My pleasure, I hope it helps.

From my understanding,
If you have the automatic tensioner roller, then it is the flatter / squarer tooth profile.

If you have the early system where the tension of the belt is set by rotating the water pump body, then you would have the rounded teeth.

[Skara]

Understanable but giving the text from EPC every model including and after 93' should have automatic tensioner therefore flatter tooth profile

[Robsey]

Yes - that is correct.

[James McGrath]

Thread resurrection!

Does anyone know a good supplier of timing belt kits?
I'm struggling to find one for my 1993 C20NE for a good price. I would like one with the water pump and tensioner and from a reputable brand.

I can get a Gates kit for around £110 but that seems a bit pricey to me.

[vexorg]

I'd pay the money for a gates one. Or try a different motorfactors to compare prices.

[James McGrath]

I've done a bit of shopping around and bought all the parts separately.
Got a Continental belt, Febi water pump and a genuine Vauxhall tensioner all for just under £80.

Think the kits are a bit of a waste of money, seem to get better quality and better prices if you buy them separately.

[Robsey]

You have to be very careful with brands these days.
Gates have always been up there with the best for quality, so I fully agree with David on that one.

Since Covid (remember that?), previously good brands have started to out-source from Chinese companies that specialise in making "copies" with lesser-quality materials.

I have known of Febi and Continental products that have failed prematurely.
Which does not sit well, when 90% of the parts used for my restoration in 2016 / 17 were Febi parts.

But - I also remember fitting Gates timing belt kits to both mine and a friend's Cavalier C18NZs, back in the day.
Mine was perfectly fine, but his was very noisy, like it was on too tight.
Both set up the same, both with auto-tensioners.

Sadly, "kits" are a waste of money because some companies have hiked their prices beyond an amount we are comfortable paying.

It is strange, because kits always used to represent good value for money, and guaranteed for their component parts to be compatible with each other.

C'est la vie.

[James McGrath]

I've found Febi to be one of the best for quality. They are my go to brand for anything I need. Unfortunately they are getting harder and harder to find though.

I've not had much luck with Gates water hoses before, tend to be a bit ill fitting, but I've not tried their cambelts before. I'll have to try out some different brands soon enough.

[3cav3]

Gates is the only brand that I fit to be honest, never had one fail in over half a million miles of driving over the years. I personally tend to change the water pump every second time, and the tensioners every time. I always used to ignore chains unless they got noisy, but the one on the panda gave up the ghost with no warning.

[Robsey]

Gates is the only brand that I fit to be honest, never had one fail in over half a million miles of driving over the years. I personally tend to change the water pump every second time, and the tensioners every time. I always used to ignore chains unless they got noisy, but the one on the panda gave up the ghost with no warning.

I am in a similar mind-set.
Belt every 32k miles
Water pump and tensioner every 64k miles.
Never had a failure yet in 34 years of driving.
Although I do not want to tempt fate as the belt on the Vectra is overdue - it is 90 to 100k miles on those.
Just approaching 180k miles on the clock.
First belt changed at 87k.

I was very surprised at the re-introduction of chains on the smaller engined cars.
Very popular with manufacturers these days.

[3cav3]

Well the chain on her panda was certainly not very popular with me, normally I would of purchased a replacement Panda for her but the whole experience has kind of put me off fiats and I believe the same engine is used in a lot of modern Vauxhalls, so I won't be buying any 1.3 diesel ones, as to change the chain looks very involved.

[cavalier1990]

I know with the omegas the recommended "aftermarket" kit (tried and tested By OOF guys over the years) is the gates one, so imagine Gates would be a suitable quality for the cav. I've got to admit I don't really pay attention to the belt change on the cav, can't even remember when I changed it last! I guess the non-interference engine leads you to not get too matter of fact about belt changes.