Vectra Sri CDti 150 - timing belt or chain?

[speedmachine]

Can anyone tell me if a 2006 Vectra Sri CDti 150 has a timing chain or belt? Google seems to suggest it has a belt my I haven't found anything definitive

Thanks

[HellDiver]

Belt. Do the tensioner and water pump while it's out.

[E30M3SE]

Belt, it's the Alfa lump, need to do the water pump at the same time as the belt.

[speedmachine]

Thanks, just seen one with 84,000 miles for sale at a garage. Thinking of getting it to use for my commute (decided against the LCR!)
What's the interval for the timing belt change? should it already have been done at 84,000?

[E30M3SE]

speedmachine said:

Thanks, just seen one with 84,000 miles for sale at a garage. Thinking of getting it to use for my commute (decided against the LCR!)
What's the interval for the timing belt change? should it already have been done at 84,000?

Should have been done, (scheduled at 70K) but make sure you check it has been done and that the waterpump was done at the same time, if it hasn't been the walk away or negoiate another change into the deal.

[bakerstreet]

E30M3SE said:

Belt, it's the Alfa lump, need to do the water pump at the same time as the belt.

I think its called the FSA rather than Alfa.

Saab 9-3s have the same engine. Make sure you take it for an extensive test drive and see if you can feel a slight miss fire. COUld be injector wiring. The repair is only about £100 (I think)

Its a nice engine. I'm currently getting 43-45mpg with mine. I'll be getting my bel and water pump done in Feb.

[k15tox]

ive just had the work done on my alfa gt.

car has 48k and is 7 years old.

cost me £400 quid for cambelt, aux belt, water pump, tensioner bearings and idler bearings. at a local alfa specialist.

lot of money but it puts my mind at rest.

[R12HCO]

k15tox said:

ive just had the work done on my alfa gt.

car has 48k and is 7 years old.

cost me £400 quid for cambelt, aux belt, water pump, tensioner bearings and idler bearings. at a local alfa specialist.

lot of money but it puts my mind at rest.

I thought that was good value tbh

[HellDiver]

If I were buying a Vectra, I'd run away from the CDTI. I'd go every time for the 1.8VVT. It's only a little slower, and infinitely more reliable. It's also a giggle, revvy little engine that'll few towards 8000rpm all day, every day.

When I had mine I got an average of 37.1mpg - only 7mpg less than I got from my Mk5 Astra with the 1.9CDTI engine, doing identical driving.

The 1.9CDTI is a pain IMHO - EGR, inlet manifold, DMF, injector wiring, turbo - all weak points and expensive. That's before you think about the normal servicing like the timing belt, water pump, etc.

[k15tox]

R12HCO said:

I thought that was good value tbh

yeah, they were the cheapest i could find.

good value yes. but £400 is still alot of money!

[E30M3SE]

k15tox said:

R12HCO said:

I thought that was good value tbh

yeah, they were the cheapest i could find.

good value yes. but £400 is still alot of money!

Different car I know, but same engine. (Does not include W/P)

[speedmachine]

Thanks for the advice all. I am wary of used modern diesels, but a lot of taxi drivers around here that do a lot motorway miles use the CDti so I figured it can't be all that bad, can it? I'll keep all the points in mind. The one I'm viewing has 84,000 miles on it, is 2006 model and up for £3995. I definately don't intend to pay that much though not fussed if I can't get a good deal as there are plenty of vectras to choose from.

Can't really think of other mile munchers for under £4k that are relatively new.

[bazking69]

The DTH 16v isn't the one to pick if reliability and low running costs are your thing in my opinion. Many common issues, most of them alot of money to sort.l

[POORCARDEALER]

We try and avoid any car with this engine now, but particually SAAB's which for some strange reason seem to give more trouble that other cars with the same engine.