Cylinder head removal & torque: Opel Astra F 2.0 (C20XE)

🧭 Before you start

Record the radio code, disconnect the battery and drain the coolant. Remove the inlet manifold, exhaust manifold and downpipe, wiring and hoses, the V-belt and alternator, the timing belt cover and vibration damper, and the valve cover. Set TDC, then turn to 60° BTDC, remove the timing belt, camshaft gearwheels, sensor, rear cover and camshafts, release the head bolts and lift the head. Refit in reverse, tightening head bolts and camshaft caps in stages.

Fits: platform codes 2.0I, 16V

• Opens: coolant
• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job

Don't miss

• Check the audio system security code before disconnecting the battery.
• Turn the crankshaft to 60° BTDC before removing the camshafts to keep the valves clear.
• Tighten cylinder head bolts in stages to the listed torque settings.
• Plug the fuel lines as soon as they are disconnected.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📋 Procedure

1. Before disconnecting the battery cable, check the audio system security code
2. Drain the cooling system
3. Stage 1:
4. Fit the cylinder head
5. Remove the inlet manifold resonance duct

6. Remove the front right wheel
7. Cylinder head torque settings - Refer to 'Adjustment data/Torque settings'
8. Remove the V-belt
9. Remove the alternator but do not disconnect
10. Disconnect the cooling system hoses
11. Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
12. Plug the fuel lines
13. Further refitting is in the reverse order of removal
14. Disconnect the injection wiring
15. Loosen the inlet manifold bolts
16. Remove the tank vent valve
17. Lift the inlet manifold
18. Disconnect the cooling system hoses
19. Disconnect the idle speed control connector
20. Disconnect the lower radiator hose
21. Disconnect the connectors
22. Disconnect the ignition coil (remove the distributor cap and rotor)
23. Remove the exhaust manifold heat shield
24. Disconnect the oxygen sensor connection
25. Disconnect the exhaust pipe mount
26. Vehicles with air conditioning:
27. Disconnect the dipstick tube support
28. All vehicles:
29. Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the manifold
30. Remove the exhaust manifold
31. Remove the timing belt front cover
32. Remove the spark plugs
33. Use a special tool:
34. Loosen the centre bolt of the crankshaft gearwheel/vibration damper
35. Remove the vibration damper
36. Remove the valve cover
37. Disconnect the remaining wiring and hoses from the cylinder head
38. Turn the crankshaft to 60° BTDC
39. Remove the timing belt
40. Remove the camshaft gearwheels
41. Remove the camshaft sensor
42. Remove the timing belt rear cover from the cylinder head
43. Remove the camshafts
44. Remove the cylinder head bolts
45. Remove the cylinder head

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