Timing belt replacement: Opel Corsa D (A16LER, A16LES)

🧭 Before you start

Support the engine and remove the air filter housing, covers, auxiliary belt, crankshaft pulley and right-hand engine support. Set TDC for cylinder 1, lock the flywheel and camshafts, release the tensioner and remove the belt. Fit the new belt with the tensioner and idler on new bolts, tension it, remove pins and tools and turn the crankshaft 2 turns to recheck. Refit the engine support, the pulley with a new bolt, the covers and the auxiliary belt.

Fits: platform codes 1.6, 16V, OPC, TURBO, |

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

Don't miss

• Always fit a new timing belt after removal.
• Turn the tensioner pulley clockwise with an Allen key until the locking pin fits.
• After 2 crankshaft turns the camshaft locking tools must fit; repeat if tension marks misalign.
• Use a new crankshaft pulley bolt and new bolts where specified.
• Clean the threads before refitting the tensioner.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 17 workshop diagrams for A16LER

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

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Always fit a new timing belt after removal
2. Always check the timing marks before timing belt removal
3. Remove the air filter housing
4. Remove the timing belt upper cover
5. Stage 2:

6. Note: Avoid bending, torsion or traction
7. Turn the tensioner anti-clockwise until the locking pin fits
8. Remove the ancillary drive belt
9. Stage 1:
10. Stage 2:
11. Fit the flywheel locking tool
12. Stage 3:
13. Bolts:
14. Stage 1:
15. Stage 2:
16. Bolts:
17. Stage 1:
18. Stage 2:
19. Remove the timing belt lower cover
20. Fit the centre bolt of the crankshaft gearwheel/vibration damper
21. Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
22. Align the crankshaft timing marks
23. The crankshaft should be at TDC for cylinder 1
24. Stage 3:
25. Align the marks
26. Tensioner pulley:
27. Tension the tensioner pulley
28. Use an Allen key
29. Turn the tensioner pulley clockwise until the locking pin fits
30. Remove the timing belt
31. Remove the crankshaft gearwheel
32. Use a hoist to support the engine
33. Right-hand engine support:
34. Remove the right-hand engine support
35. Timing belt tensioner:
36. Remove the timing belt tensioner
37. Remove the timing belt idler pulley
38. Raise the vehicle

Installation and checks

39. Check the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and oil contamination
40. Note: Clean the threads before refitting
41. Note: Use new bolts
42. Stage 1:
43. Stage 2:
44. Stage 3:
45. Bolts:
46. Stage 1:
47. Stage 2:
48. Refit the right-hand engine support
49. Remove the hoist
50. Crankshaft gearwheel
51. Refit the crankshaft gearwheel
52. Installation sequence:
53. Fit the timing belt
54. Use a special tool to hold the timing belt
55. Remove the locking pin
56. Remove the camshaft locking tools
57. Remove the flywheel locking tool
58. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise by 2 turns
59. Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
60. Align the crankshaft timing marks
61. Lower the vehicle
62. Fit the flywheel locking tool
63. Camshaft gearwheel locking tool:
64. Fit the camshaft locking tools
65. The timing is set when the locking bolt(s) fit correctly
66. Repeat the procedure if the tension marks are misaligned
67. Remove the camshaft locking tools
68. Raise the vehicle
69. Refit the timing belt lower cover
70. Stage 1:
71. Stage 2:
72. Stage 3:
73. Refit the crankshaft pulley
74. Note: Use a new bolt
75. Remove the flywheel locking tool
76. Bolts:
77. Refit the nut
78. Use new nut(s)
79. Refit the ancillary drive belt tensioner
80. Refit the ancillary drive belt
81. Refit the engine lower cover
82. Lower the vehicle
83. Refit the air filter housing
84. Refit the timing belt upper cover
85. Reconnect the battery

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