Cambelt change side jobs

[danzigfan]

Hi guys, I'm planning to do a cambelt job in week or two, have all the parts already bought and in garage.
I'm thinking about replacing both sensors screwed into coolant radiator while I'm there as they seem to be hard to reach without all the air hoses out.
I know one sensor is a fan switch but I don't know what the other is for..?
And does anyone have part numbers for those sensors?
Thanks, Stan

[tunnie]

I'm in the view of: "if it aint broke...."

If sensors are fine and you have no issues, I'd personally leave them be. Only thing I'd do is put some new plugs and give breathers a damn good clean 

[danzigfan]

I know your views  I've been here long enough...all I'm saying is they are 18 years old now and if they fail I'll bang my head into the wall for not replacing them while having access

[tunnie]

True, thing is newer sensors still fail, we've seen HBV's that are new fail quickly.

Just because it's newer, does not guarantee it will last. 

[danzigfan]

I'll listen to you Cambelt and oil cooler change is enough for this year

[deviator]

Water pump is worth changing so is the ECU Coolant Temp sensor. If you are going anywhere near the oil cooler, you are going to need copper crush washers for the coolant bridge.

[tunnie]

Water pump is worth changing so is the ECU Coolant Temp sensor. If you are going anywhere near the oil cooler, you are going to need copper crush washers for the coolant bridge.

Waterpump was previously advised as they were so cheap from Vauxhall, now they are quite pricey. So again, advise from others as well, is not to change that either.

[Nick W]

The main thing you should at least consider when doing a cambelt is the crank oil seal! It's a cheap part, but some tooling is required to undo the crank bolt and draw the belt pulley off.


Jetwash the crank pulley area thoroughly, go for a decent drive and inspect the area with a torch and mirror. This ought to be enough to decide if you you're going to spend a fiver on a new seal before getting into the job. The same applies to the auxilliary belt, I look at mine each time I'm in that area, but it's still the same belt that was fitted when I bought the car 8 years ago. You should grease the tensioner pulley whenever you remove the belt, the bearing drying up is the biggest cause of belt failures

[deviator]

Water pump is worth changing so is the ECU Coolant Temp sensor. If you are going anywhere near the oil cooler, you are going to need copper crush washers for the coolant bridge.

Waterpump was previously advised as they were so cheap from Vauxhall, now they are quite pricey. So again, advise from others as well, is not to change that either.

I don't think £28 for a QH pump from here is that bad. To me it's one of those 'always do' whilst there jobs. TBH, the thermostat is also another parts I'd just replace whilst there.

[Andy B]

.....
To me it's one of those 'always do' whilst there jobs.  ...

maybe on a 4 pot 

[Nick W]

Water pump is worth changing so is the ECU Coolant Temp sensor. If you are going anywhere near the oil cooler, you are going to need copper crush washers for the coolant bridge.

Waterpump was previously advised as they were so cheap from Vauxhall, now they are quite pricey. So again, advise from others as well, is not to change that either.

I don't think £28 for a QH pump from here is that bad. To me it's one of those 'always do' whilst there jobs. TBH, the thermostat is also another parts I'd just replace whilst there.

I don't see any need to split the cooling system just for a cambelt. If the car hasn't had a 'stat recently, I'd probably consider one. Although I doubt I'd actually bother.


Water pumps MUST be changed on the 4 cylinder engines because they're driven by the cambelt.

[terry paget]

Upper radiator sensor is easy, without any dismantling. Bottom one is almost impossible without raising the radiator. Changing the cam belt dismantling is no help. I should leave them both alone. The radiator is much more likely to fail than the sensors. I have changed 2 radiators in the last 2 months, one cracked and leaking, the other blocked.

[danzigfan]

Ok, I will follow your wisdom...had been proven to me a few times
I have all the goodies for Omega already...
Water pump 35€ (metal blades)
CTS
Gauge temp sensor
Oil cooler
Washers
GM oil & filter
Thermostat + 2 O rings for the pipe

Crank and cam oil seals were replaced 4 years ago although not leaking at the time

I'd really like to keep the old girl for 4 or 5 years more..with only a bit over 100k miles on a clock she's a keeper and already a rarity on the road

[terry paget]

It can be tricky to separate the thermostat from the pipe, it's a casting and quite cheap.

[danzigfan]

I've done it the last time 4 years ago....I hope it'll go as planned again