Unofficial Opel Club! Calling all Opel Boys!

[caloystermx5]

I think my drive belt tensioner is broken. It has this loud ticking sound that sounds like a diesel engine. Nasira ito on my way to Subic. Nakauwi ako without any mishaps travelling up to 280 kms. I was worried baka matanggal ang drive belt ko. Most opel mechanics say that this part is prone to break down around 50-60T Kms.

Here are the prices quoted to me:

Drive Belt Tensioner (Identical for ASTRA and Zafira)
GM Q.A. -- P6,500 OEM
Thunder -- P5,300 OEM
No German Replacement in stock till Feb.
Fronte -- P4,500 German Replacement

edl100, is the belt tensioner the part on top or the timing belt area? i might need to replace mine soon, when my timing belt was replaced, they mentioned that a part looked like it needed to be replaced soon. I didn't have time that day so they said i could bring it back (or they could come to my place) since this part is very easy to access and is easy to replace. Right on the dot, my kilometer reading will hit 60,000 kms soon. galing naman ng estimate nila

[edl100]

edl100, is the belt tensioner the part on top or the timing belt area? i might need to replace mine soon, when my timing belt was replaced, they mentioned that a part looked like it needed to be replaced soon. I didn't have time that day so they said i could bring it back (or they could come to my place) since this part is very easy to access and is easy to replace. Right on the dot, my kilometer reading will hit 60,000 kms soon. galing naman ng estimate nila

If you look at the left side of the engine, you will see the belt that runs through the alternator and the compressor. This is the drive belt. You will see the belt tensioner on the bottom part.

I recently replaced my drive belt but I did not replace the tensioner yet. Yun na nga, nasira na after 2 months yung tensioner. The drive belt and tensioner has to be replaced within 45,000-50,000 kms of use since it will really break regardless of use.

My drive belt actually snapped when I was driving 2 months ago. The car will still run and you can still go home but the alternator will not charge. There will be no power steering and no aircon compressor.

I think it is best to keep a spare drive belt and timing belt (kahit replacement brand lang) specially if you will go out of town. There will be no OPEL parts available anywhere outside Metro Manila.

[caloystermx5]

If you look at the left side of the engine, you will see the belt that runs through the alternator and the compressor. This is the drive belt. You will see the belt tensioner on the bottom part.

I recently replaced my drive belt but I did not replace the tensioner yet. Yun na nga, nasira na after 2 months yung tensioner. The drive belt and tensioner has to be replaced within 45,000-50,000 kms of use since it will really break regardless of use.

My drive belt actually snapped when I was driving 2 months ago. The car will still run and you can still go home but the alternator will not charge. There will be no power steering and no aircon compressor.

I think it is best to keep a spare drive belt and timing belt (kahit replacement brand lang) specially if you will go out of town. There will be no OPEL parts available anywhere outside Metro Manila.

thanks! i can't remember what part was not replaced now. I have to check my replacement list, alam ko kasi may isang part na di napalitan. But those prices sound just about right, malayo ba prices from our jap counterparts??

[edl100]

thanks! i can't remember what part was not replaced now. I have to check my replacement list, alam ko kasi may isang part na di napalitan. But those prices sound just about right, malayo ba prices from our jap counterparts??

You will be surprised but the prices for a HONDA is almost the same or even more expensive specially for a CRV or an ACCORD.

To think Honda parts are all Taiwan or Japan made. All Opel parts are either made in UK, Germany or some european country so mas mahal ang shipping cost.

[edl100]

TO those who own Astras, Vectras and Zafiras of any model:

I hope you guys know that we have to change our timing belt before 40,000kms. It was prone to snap by that time. The engine is not free wheeling so there will be a big and very expensive damage to the engine if it breaks down.

Usually, the timing belt breaks at about 80,000 kms but our car has this defect on the tensioners so it breaks up earlier.

THESE ARE THE PARTS AND PRICES

Timing belt -- P2,100 OEM
Pulley1 -- 2,200 OEM
Pulley2 -- 2,400 OEM
Tensioner -- 2,900 German replacement

Water Pump -- 2,000 German replacement
-- 6,000 OEM

Drive Belt tensioner -- 5,500 OEM
3,700 German Replacement

Labor -- ???? hmmmmm?

[cocojam]

TO those who own Astras, Vectras and Zafiras of any model:

I hope you guys know that we have to change our timing belt before 40,000kms. It was prone to snap by that time. The engine is not free wheeling so there will be a big and very expensive damage to the engine if it breaks down.

Usually, the timing belt breaks at about 80,000 kms but our car has this defect on the tensioners so it breaks up earlier.

THESE ARE THE PARTS AND PRICES

Timing belt -- P2,100 OEM
Pulley1 -- 2,200 OEM
Pulley2 -- 2,400 OEM
Tensioner -- 2,900 German replacement

Water Pump -- 2,000 German replacement
-- 6,000 OEM

Drive Belt tensioner -- 5,500 OEM
3,700 German Replacement

Labor -- ???? hmmmmm?

Thank you bro for the info. My Astra 02 is doing 26T km already and I should prepare for this already. But the other thing that is bothering me on my ride for a couple of months now is this erratic noise from my engine. It sounds more like the rattle of the tappets or a knocking sound similar to a diesel engine. It happens only during a slow acceleration from a full stop somewhere around 1,000 to 1,200 rpm. Whats confusing is that sometimes its there sometimes its not. Could it be the fuel Im using (Shell unleaded mainly)?

[edl100]

Thank you bro for the info. My Astra 02 is doing 26T km already and I should prepare for this already. But the other thing that is bothering me on my ride for a couple of months now is this erratic noise from my engine. It sounds more like the rattle of the tappets or a knocking sound similar to a diesel engine. It happens only during a slow acceleration from a full stop somewhere around 1,000 to 1,200 rpm. Whats confusing is that sometimes its there sometimes its not. Could it be the fuel Im using (Shell unleaded mainly)?

Hmmm. The best is to really know where the sound is coming from. At 26T kms, mababa masyado ang mileage to have a mechanical problem.

It may be a knocking sound from the valves due to the low octane gas. I used to have that problem when I was using unleaded. Try using Petron Blaze for a few months and see if it improves.

If it does not solve the problem, I suspect a drive belt tensioner problem. It can easily be checked.

[guguly]

TO those who own Astras, Vectras and Zafiras of any model:

I hope you guys know that we have to change our timing belt before 40,000kms. It was prone to snap by that time. The engine is not free wheeling so there will be a big and very expensive damage to the engine if it breaks down.

Usually, the timing belt breaks at about 80,000 kms but our car has this defect on the tensioners so it breaks up earlier.

I bought my Astra in March 2000. Had it regularly serviced sa casa but they replaced my timing belt at 72,000 kms na, kahit na nagpapa service ako doon almost every 10k. I remember this very well kasi mahal pagawa ng timing belt casa. Is this every 40K timing belt replacement a GM service policy o nalimutan lang nila palitan yung timing belt ko noong 40K?

[edl100]

I bought my Astra in March 2000. Had it regularly serviced sa casa but they replaced my timing belt at 72,000 kms na, kahit na nagpapa service ako doon almost every 10k. I remember this very well kasi mahal pagawa ng timing belt casa. Is this every 40K timing belt replacement a GM service policy o nalimutan lang nila palitan yung timing belt ko noong 40K?

According to elerick when he was still in GM, pinapalitan nila ito (timing belt) by 40,000kms. Since it is a defect of the engine design na madali maputol ito.
If it breaks down kasi, we know that the valves are not free wheeling so mababali ang valves when the timing belt breaks. Malaking gastos ito.

They do this early change of timing belt and tensioner for preventive maintenance. Our OPELS need extra love and maintenance since this car is not your typical Nissan or Toyota Corolla.

Sa akin naman 51,000 kms na. I will replace the timing belt by Feb. when the parts arrive from shipment.

A cause for concern for higher mileage Astras 80,000 kms above is the ignition coil pack and the EGR valve. Also, I think we will also consider having the Catalytic converter replaced or cleaned since these are the parts that are sure to break down and cause (palyado and misfires).

Another thing is that we should also clean the Valve body at least twice a year. It is a Do-it-yourself maintenance thing only.

Also, We should regularly replace the AIR CLEANER. This is just around P700. We should take care of the MAF (mass airflow) and it should be clean of grime and heavy dust since sobrang mahal ito pag masira. They say people who use aftermarket aircleaners such as K&N ruins the MAF.

A secret of mine is to have your AIRBOX de-restricted. Mas titipid sa gas yung car and the throttle response and mid end torque would have at least 10% gain.

[guguly]

A cause for concern for higher mileage Astras 80,000 kms above is the ignition coil pack and the EGR valve. Also, I think we will also consider having the Catalytic converter replaced or cleaned since these are the parts that are sure to break down and cause (palyado and misfires).

Nagpalit na ako ignition coil pack at around 110K. Ano itong catalytic converter cleaning/replacement? Where can it be done, aside from casa? Actually, kinakalawang na rin yung secondary muffler ng astra.Sa may joint noong tubo.Akala ko nga before, stainless yon.Sabi casa, pwde naman daw palitan ng any brand kaso la pa ako time ipagawa. Mahal daw eh iyong catalytic converter. Syempre, kung sa casa, siguradong mahal nga yon.

[edl100]

BTW, Elerick the home service mechanic is not in the country anymore. He is working for HOLDEN (OPEL) of Australia with a one year contract. He will be back by June 2006.

[natasatanas]

uy, at least he will be coming back pa rin, i hope for good though because nahiyang na ako sa kanya.

[angelo]

hi there... i guess this must be the right place to ask about opel cars. im planning to buy an '01 opel astra A/T * 255k. problem is, the thing that pumps the fuel from the tank to the engine is busted. i've always wanted an opel astra, na lang iniisip ko yung maintenance nung car. mahal na nga daw yung parts, mahirap pa makakita. anyway, i was just wondering kung alam nyo possibly kung magkano magagastos ko para dun sa car, and kung ikamamatay ko nga ba ang maintenance nito. thanks in advance!

[natasatanas]

hi there... i guess this must be the right place to ask about opel cars. im planning to buy an '01 opel astra A/T * 255k. problem is, the thing that pumps the fuel from the tank to the engine is busted. i've always wanted an opel astra, na lang iniisip ko yung maintenance nung car. mahal na nga daw yung parts, mahirap pa makakita. anyway, i was just wondering kung alam nyo possibly kung magkano magagastos ko para dun sa car, and kung ikamamatay ko nga ba ang maintenance nito. thanks in advance!

sir, sana if u could get an astra na running fine and wala sira mas ok. fuel pump ata yung sinasabi mo. plus get the manual tranny if can find one. maintenance is ok, medyo pricey pyesa pero sure na it will last u a loooong time! di naman hard to comeby parts, thunder and fronte, even home service mechanics, can handle that for u. its a very good and reliable car. it has its pros and cons pero its a keeper for me.

[angelo]

sir, sana if u could get an astra na running fine and wala sira mas ok. fuel pump ata yung sinasabi mo. plus get the manual tranny if can find one. maintenance is ok, medyo pricey pyesa pero sure na it will last u a loooong time! di naman hard to comeby parts, thunder and fronte, even home service mechanics, can handle that for u. its a very good and reliable car. it has its pros and cons pero its a keeper for me.

well yun nga ang gusto ko, to have a car that i can keep for a long long time. and i was thinking that opel astra is the one for me. i've been reading feedbacks about opel astra... some say that it is economical... pero may nagsasabi din namang hindi. if the astra really is underpowered, then malakas nga ito sa gasolina. nga pala, nakakita ako ng astra na manual, yung reverse nya eh nasa 1st gear. mukhang nakakalito. anyway, what's the difference between the 99 astra and 2001?

[paulopel]

well yun nga ang gusto ko, to have a car that i can keep for a long long time. and i was thinking that opel astra is the one for me. i've been reading feedbacks about opel astra... some say that it is economical... pero may nagsasabi din namang hindi. if the astra really is underpowered, then malakas nga ito sa gasolina. nga pala, nakakita ako ng astra na manual, yung reverse nya eh nasa 1st gear. mukhang nakakalito. anyway, what's the difference between the 99 astra and 2001?

Wag or never get an Opel Astra na Automatic Transmission Always a Manual Transmission if Possible or hanggat maari Manual, Mahina ang Matic in all aspects 0-100 top speed, gas (not that much namn), A manual tranny is preferable if possible. This is a Big Tip

[angelo]

ok ok ok... may pukpok pa sa ulo ah! sige sige sige manual na... sabagay ang alam ko din mas mahal lalo ang maintenance ng matic eh. may mga nabasa lang akong stories about sa mga taong nababangga yung kotseng nasa likod nila dahil nagkamaling mag shift to reverse instead of 1st gear. anyway, ano po ba pinagkaiba ng 99 astra sa 01 astra? pareho lang ba? sa kaha mukhang oo... pero sa loob?

[paulopel]

ok ok ok... may pukpok pa sa ulo ah! sige sige sige manual na... sabagay ang alam ko din mas mahal lalo ang maintenance ng matic eh. may mga nabasa lang akong stories about sa mga taong nababangga yung kotseng nasa likod nila dahil nagkamaling mag shift to reverse instead of 1st gear. anyway, ano po ba pinagkaiba ng 99 astra sa 01 astra? pareho lang ba? sa kaha mukhang oo... pero sa loob?

2001 model you get a 6 spoke mags, and a cd player di na yung cassette type.

[angelo]

ok... so wala rin pala masyadong pagkakaiba. if ever masira ang opel astra, saan ko pwede dalhin, besides sa casa kasi mahal dun definitely, na mura at ok ang service?

[edl100]

ok... so wala rin pala masyadong pagkakaiba. if ever masira ang opel astra, saan ko pwede dalhin, besides sa casa kasi mahal dun definitely, na mura at ok ang service?

Hi, just read all of our threads here in this forum. All of the Mechanics and Parts shops for the OPEL in the Philippines are revealed here.

Good luck looking for a used astra!!