Timing chain replacement: Opel Combo D LN9 263 A2000
Step-by-step timing chain replacement for the Opel Combo D LN9 263 A2000: 155 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
Timing chain renewal on the Combo D 1.3 CDTi (engine 263 A2000) is a lot of dismantling for a small engine. Besides the usual front right wheel, lower cover, ancillary belt, idler and tensioner pulleys and crankshaft pulley, the coolant pump, exhaust middle section, reinforcement brace, gearbox support bracket, lower engine-to-gearbox bolts and sump all come off before the timing chain cover. The inlet camshaft gearwheel is locked, the crankshaft is pinned and the crankshaft gearwheel centre bolt is removed. Two details decide it: some fasteners have a left-hand thread, and the timing is only confirmed when the special locking tools fit cleanly after turning the engine by hand.
🧭 Before you start
Disconnect the battery, drain the oil and remove the wheel, covers, belt drive, crankshaft pulley, coolant pump, exhaust middle section and sump. Lock the camshaft and crankshaft, remove the crankshaft gearwheel bolt, timing chain cover and chain. Fit the new chain and tensioner, refit the cover with sealant and a centred seal, new crankshaft bolt, then refill oil and coolant and reset volatile memories.
Fits: platform codes 1.3, CDTI
- Opens: coolant, engine oil
- Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
- Special tools named: locking pin, locking tool
- Renewed: seal note
Don't miss
- Note the left-hand thread on the crankshaft gearwheel centre bolt.
- Mark the running direction if the old chain is to be reused.
- Use the special tool to centre the timing cover before tightening.
- Fit a new crankshaft gearwheel bolt and new crankshaft seal.
- Timing is correct only when the special tools fit after turning the engine by hand.
- Clean the threads of the camshaft access plug before refitting.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
📋 Procedure
Preparation and removal
- Never turn the engine in the direction opposite to that of normal operation
- Camshaft holding tool:
- Disconnect the battery earth cable
- If the timing chain is to be re-used, mark the running direction before removal
- Remove the front right wheel
- Remove the engine lower cover
- Remove the locking pin
- Timing cover
- Drain the engine oil
- Use the special tool to counterhold
- Disconnect the coolant hose
- Note: Move it aside
- Remove the fuel rail bracket
- Remove the upper bracket
- Remove the camshaft access plug
- Note: Clean the threads before refitting
- Lock the inlet camshaft gearwheel
- Use the special tool
- Turn the engine clockwise
- Until the special tool engages
- Use a special tool to lock the crankshaft
- Turn the crankshaft until the locking pin fits
- Raise the vehicle
- Remove the ancillary drive belt
- Remove the ancillary drive belt idler pulley
- Remove the ancillary drive belt tensioner pulley
- Remove the crankshaft pulley
- Remove the coolant pump
- Remove the reinforcement brace
- Disconnect the front exhaust pipe from the diesel particulate filter
- Remove the exhaust pipe middle section
- Remove the engine/gearbox lower attaching bolts
- Remove the gearbox support bracket
- Remove the oil sump
- Use the special tool
- Remove the crankshaft gearwheel centre bolt
- Note: Left-hand thread
- Use the special tool
- Remove the flange
- Remove and discard the crankshaft oil seal
- Move aside
- Remove the right-hand engine mount
- Remove the crankcase breather hose
- Remove the brackets
- Remove the chain tensioner rail(s)
- Loosen the camshaft gearwheel bolt
- Remove the crankshaft pulley support flange
Installation and checks
- Renew the seal
- Note: Apply sealant before fitting
- Renew the gasket
- Use the special tool to centre the timing cover
- Tighten the bolts
- Compress the timing chain tensioner rod
- Follow the procedure:
- Fit the crankshaft seal over the crankshaft flange
- Tighten the bolt slightly
- Use the special tools
- Use the crankshaft pulley bolt
- Remove the special tool
- Refit the crankshaft pulley support flange
- Fit the centre bolt of the crankshaft gearwheel/vibration damper
- Note: Use a new bolt
- Tighten the bolt slightly
- Note: Left-hand thread
- Tighten the crankshaft gearwheel bolt
- Stage 1:
- Stage 2:
- Ancillary drive belt tensioner pulley:
- Ancillary drive belt idler pulley:
- Reinforcement brace:
- Exhaust pipe to catalytic converter:
- Gearbox support bracket:
- Lower bolts, gearbox to engine:
- Turn the crankshaft until the camshaft locking tool can be fitted
- Engine oil drain plug
- Camshaft gearwheel
- Turn the engine by hand
- The timing is set when the special tool(s) fit correctly
- Coolant pump
- Oil sump
- Wheel bolts
- Refill the cooling system
- Bleed the cooling system
- Refill the engine oil
- Reconnect the battery earth cable
- Reset volatile memories after reconnecting the battery cables
Other OPEL / VAUXHALL procedures
- 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
- G9U_2.5_CDTi_fuel pump timing
- Combo Tour 2011 1.3CDTi Gearbox removal
- Astra H Clutch
- Astra G Clutch
- Zafira A Clutch
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.