I have the same noise from my engine. It wasn't there from the beginning (bought the car new) but came after first service (15000 km) where they did an oil and filter change. Dealer says it's normal for that engine.

 

So did anyone find a solution to this issue? It's happening on my Insignia now.

 

From what I understand there is no solution. It's an "engine feature".

 

Not a peep from mine so far, maybe a slight rattle from start up, that's it. So much quieter than my previous 2.0cdti J.

 

OK cheers. It seems to have disappeared now anyway

 

FOLLOW UP. I own a 1.6 liter 110 hp opel, I have the same startup problem that strange sound is heard and the only solving found so far is to stop the instant engine and give the second key and the sound disappears.

I was at a private service and when they heard this sound or scared, they told me they might break and cause serious damage. Chain distribution is located between the engine and the gearbox so it's not even handy to change it. And this does not solve the problem of "lubrication / oil pressure"

There is an official solution given by ope / vauxhall

 

Hello I have the same problem on my 1.3 CDTI. It sounds like it is going to blow up when I start it. I even scared one old lady at the supermarket when I started the damn thing.

Sorry but I do not understand your solution "stop the instant engine and give the second key". Vad menar du?

Do you know more about what this official solution that Opel does have?

 

Hello members, I am a MOKKA owner with the 1.6cdti engine and expreriencing the same engine sound problems! I have 45k in my odometer and just a month ago the problem began . Now everytime I try to turn on my engine I bet if this terrible sound will occur or not! Furthermore today after it happened , there was a small rattle with the engine below 2000 rpm until it got warm and then disappearred ! I will be going to the dealership first thing in the morning on Monday but after reading your thread I don't believe it will solve anything , and it is very sad as it will end up me selling my new car!!

 

Same with my astra. It's not happening on every cold start up. Occasionally. But it is more frequently than usual now.

Also noticed yesterday after turning on some rattle, ticking noise on idle under hood....
Strange.

 

I had this on turning engine over I turned ignition off and restarted engine sounded normal second time no rattles or noise from engine it is scarey at time and loud it's only happend twice in one year now

 

Hi all,
Sorry for my poor English level. I also have an Open Astra K (bought in Spain) with B16DTE engine (LWQ) also present in other models such as Astra J, Meriva ... I hear that rather unpleasant noise in the cold start. After having read and visited numerous forums about this problem, I found a person who said that they had changed the complete kit of the timing chain for a new one with other part numbers. I found a website with the graphic diagram for the B16DTE engine (LWQ) of the Astra J. Surely it will be very useful. I have verified that there are two pieces that recommend using another part numbers.

https://opel.7zap.com/en/car/p10/e/9/24-0/

I have not yet gone to the workshop to do the repair, I will indicate the results soon.

regards
Francisco

 

Hello from Greece,
I did convince my Dealer to fix the problem after 2 years of owning the car and hearing the noise.
All chain/belts were changed under warranty, and the car seemed to be perfect for a week.
After 1 week the noise came back slowly. After 6 months, the sound is just like before.
Haven't done a follow up with my dealer as i am convinced now there is some other problem making the timing chain noise which opel/vauxhall wouldn't address.

 

any news ?

 

I noticed this noise on start up with my car today. Any updates? I have read people said there are technical bulletins out, what do these say?

It appears to be normal from what everyone has said but has that changed?

 

Hello to all members and readers.
This will be a rather long post, but it shall provide clarity in the matter of the startup noise.
I wish it was a happy ending post, but it is not the case.
Some pictures attached also.

All info and findings relate to the B16DTH 1.6 liter Ecoflex 100kw diesel engine.

In Jan 2018, I bought for personal use a second hand Astra J from Germany, first registration Sept 2014.
Being an end of series J, right before the new K, it is equipped with the new engine - B16DTH.
The seller was a good reputation second hand dealer, with a 2500+ car park.
Kilometers 123k (miles 77k) certified from 2 sources, service book (all service Opel dealership only),
and Opel dealership (checked myself with their database).
While driving it to my home country, approx. 2000km on highways and the final 300 on normal roads,
there was noise at startup but not so often.
Once switching to low speed frequent city driving, the startup noise appeared frequently.
Not with every engine start, but with most.
Since I had previously owned timing chained cars, it sounded like the chain needed changing.
But at km 126k (as I said certified) it seemed strange that a timing chain would be so loose/warn
so that it would cause timing chain noise.
I went to a local Opel dealership, they said it was a normal noise.
No clarity why it was intermittent, and not constant.
I therefore decided to procure all timing chain kit OEM, and change it, to put my mind at ease.
The mechanic (non dealership) who cared for of all my cars for the last 18 years took on the challenge,
it was a premier for him with this engine. He gathered all info available, and started the works.
The operation was a difficult one, since now the timing chain was at the back of the engine,
compared to previous engine models, which had the timing at the front.
So the gearbox, drive shafts, everything on top of the valve cover and
under the engine and behind the engine had to come off.
And only when we dismantled the timing chain housing, we confirmed
the reason and the source of the startup noise.

- the B16DTH engine has the timing chain at the back of the engine
- the timing chain spins counterclockwise
- the timing chain hydraulic tensioner is placed on the tensioned side of the chain,
very strange, the tensioner sholud be normally placed on the untensioned side
- the untensioned side of the chain has fixed guides
- the timing chain is rattling against the fixed guides
- after startup, in a few seconds, the oil pressure builds up and the hydraulic tensioner
is able to apply such pressure that the untensioned side is also pulled in place.

So now I have a brand new timing chain and accessories, but the noise is still there.
Being a new chain, not as loose as the old one, the noise is shorter, but still there.

In conclusion, there is no remedy, unfortunately, it is a "normal" noise.
Great engine timing design, thank you Opel.

You can find attached some pictures, for graphic illustration.

Drive safe everyone!

 

Hello to all members and readers.
This will be a rather long post, but it shall provide clarity in the matter of the startup noise.
I wish it was a happy ending post, but it is not the case.
Some pictures attached also.

All info and findings relate to the B16DTH 1.6 liter Ecoflex 100kw diesel engine.

<SNIP>

Great pictures and info, thank you for taking the time to post.

Seems like the noise is a 'feature' we have to live with. This must have been discovered during testing of the engine prior to it entering production.

It seems like drivers who experience the issue are told 'it is fine, they all do that', then by the time expensive replacement is required the car is well outside of warranty...

Anthony

 

It seems strange how this noise effects some engines, but not all. During the whole year of my ownership, my car has never once made this noise, even from cold. My car is on a 2016 plate, now covered 26k. As this is the third diesel I've owned, certainly the quietest. One things for certain, if this noise does appear on my engine, I'll know about it.