Timing belt replacement: Opel Astra H 1.8 (Z18XE)

🧭 Before you start

Support the engine and remove the air filter, battery, ancillary belt tensioner, crankshaft pulley and timing belt covers. Align the marks, fit the camshaft locking tool and lock the flywheel, then remove the belt and tensioner. Fit the new belt and tensioner, set the pointer to A for a new belt, tighten and recheck. Refit the crankshaft pulley with a new bolt and rebuild.

Fits: platform codes 1.8, 16V

• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: locking tool

Don't miss

• Tensioner pointer: mark A for a new belt, mark B for a used belt.
• The crankshaft pulley bolt must be renewed.
• Never turn the engine against its normal direction of rotation.
• Check the tensioner and idler pulleys and renew any that are rough or noisy.
• Remove the camshaft locking tool before turning the engine to check the timing.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 20 workshop diagrams for Z18XE

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

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Never turn the engine in the direction opposite to that of normal operation
2. Check the tensioner and idler pulleys; renew if necessary
3. Remove the ancillary drive belt tensioner
4. Flywheel locking tool:
5. Fit the flywheel locking tool

6. Remove the crankshaft pulley
7. Align the timing marks
8. Camshaft locking tool:
9. Fit the camshaft locking tool
10. Engine support:
11. Support the engine
12. Lock the camshaft gearwheels
13. Loosen the tensioner
14. Fit the flywheel locking tool

Installation and checks

15. Fit the timing belt tensioner
16. Pre-tension the timing belt
17. Refit the crankshaft pulley bolt
18. Remove the camshaft locking tool
19. Loosen the tensioner pulley bolt
20. Turn the tensioner pulley clockwise until the pointer aligns with A for a new belt and with B for a used belt
21. Tighten the tensioner pulley
22. Check the position of the tensioner
23. Refit the engine support
24. Fit the camshaft sensor
25. Remove the timing belt tensioner
26. Fit the timing belt lower cover
27. Fit the crankshaft pulley
28. Use new bolt(s)
29. Remove the flywheel locking tool
30. Fit the ancillary drive belt tensioner
31. Fit the ancillary drive belt
32. Refit the timing belt upper cover
33. Refit the air filter
34. Refit the battery

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