Astra F X16XEL — OPEL / VAUXHALL

🧭 Before you start

Note the radio code, then remove the upper cover, loom, inlet manifold, throttle body and fuel lines after relieving fuel pressure. Take off the alternator and bracket, radiator hoses and exhaust downpipe, then the spark plugs, valve cover and timing belt covers. Check the timing marks, turn the crankshaft to 60° BTDC and remove the belt, camshaft gearwheels, tensioner and idler, crankshaft gearwheel and inner cover. Finally remove the rocker shaft assembly, head bolts and the cylinder head.

Fits: platform codes 1.6I, 16V

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

Don't miss

• Get the audio security code before disconnecting the battery.
• Release fuel pressure before opening the feed and return lines.
• Turn the crankshaft to 60° BTDC before the timing belt comes off.
• Mark the tensioner pulley position before removing it.
• Lock the crankshaft with the special tool when undoing the crankshaft gearwheel.
• General practice: head bolts on engines of this type are usually stretch bolts and are renewed.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 56 workshop diagrams for X14XE

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

📋 Procedure

1. Before disconnecting the battery cable, check the audio system security code
2. Camshaft gearwheels:
3. Stage 1:
4. Remove the air-feed hose of the inlet manifold
5. Stage 3:

6. Tensioner pulley:
7. Remove the V-belt tensioner
8. Crankshaft gearwheel:
9. Use a special tool to lock the crankshaft
10. Stage 2:
11. Remove the engine upper cover
12. Disconnect the engine wiring loom
13. Inlet manifold:
14. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the inlet manifold
15. Alternator bracket:
16. V-belt tensioner
17. Disconnect the vacuum line at the fuel pressure regulator
18. Remove the bracket
19. Remove the air inlet manifold
20. Release the fuel pressure
21. Disconnect the fuel feed and return lines
22. Disconnect the connectors
23. Remove the throttle bowden cable
24. Disconnect the throttle body
25. Disconnect the connectors
26. Remove the flange
27. Disconnect the lower radiator hose
28. Remove the alternator bracket
29. Remove the alternator but do not disconnect
30. Remove the engine wiring loom
31. Disconnect the cooling hose from the inlet manifold
32. Unbolt the coolant flange and move it aside
33. Remove the inlet manifold
34. Disconnect the lower radiator hose
35. Disconnect the hoses
36. Disconnect the oxygen sensor wiring clip
37. Disconnect the upper radiator hose
38. Disconnect the connectors
39. Disconnect the front exhaust pipe from the manifold
40. Remove the spark plugs
41. Use a special tool:
42. Remove the valve cover
43. Remove the timing belt covers
44. Check the timing marks
45. Turn the crankshaft to 60° BTDC
46. Remove the timing belt
47. Remove the camshaft gearwheels
48. Disconnect the engine support (cylinder head)
49. Remove the tensioner pulley
50. Note: Mark the position
51. Remove the idler pulley
52. Remove the crankshaft gearwheel
53. Remove the inner timing cover
54. Remove the rocker shaft assembly
55. Remove the cylinder head bolts
56. Remove the cylinder head

Other OPEL / VAUXHALL procedures

• Astra G Clutch
• Corsa B Clutch 1.2/1.4 Except X12XE (With service aperture); Astra F 1.4
• Opel Astra F 1.4 X14XE cylinder head removal & torque
• Opel AstraG, Zafira, Zafira B timing belt replacement
• Opel AstraF X14XE/X16XEL timing belt replacement
• Opel Corsa C 1.2 CDTI timing chain replacement
• Opel Astra G 2.2 DTI Y22DTR timing chain replacement
• Opel VectraC, Signum 2.8 Z28NEL timing chain replacement
• Opel Astra G 2003 2.0 DTI Y20DTH timing chain replacement
• Opel Astra G X Y 20DTL 2.0 DTI X20DTL timing chain replacement