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Engine

Balancer shafts removal and installation (NA)

The factory steps for removing and installing the NA's balancer shafts with the engine out, from the Vauxhall TIS.

vx220.info/guides/balancer-shafts-removal-and-installation-na · Last updated 25 October 2026

Applies to: VX220 and Speedster, NADifficulty: SpecialistTime: Not stated

Tools

  • KM-412
  • KM-412-27
  • KM-6077
  • KM-6105
  • KM-6148
  • KM-J-38122-A

Torques & specs

Drain the engine oil.25 Nm
Install the balancer shaft timing chain guide rails.10 Nm
Install the balancer shaft timing chain tensioner rail.9 Nm
Install the intake camshaft sprocket.85 Nm
Install the camshaft timing chain tensioner rail.10 Nm
Install the camshaft timing chain guide rail.10 Nm
Install the camshaft timing chain guide rail.65 Nm
Install the exhaust camshaft sprocket.85 Nm
Install the guide rail.8 Nm
Install the camshaft timing chain tensioner.75 Nm
Install the timing case. Note: Remove the plastic wedge and the cloth from the opening in the timing case.21 Nm
Attach the rotational vibration damper.100 Nm
Attach the engine damping block bracket.50 Nm
Attach the cylinder head cover9 Nm
Attach the ignition module.9 Nm
Tightening torque 25 Nm25 Nm
Tightening torque 10 Nm10 Nm
Tightening torque 9 Nm9 Nm
Tightening torque 85 Nm + 30° + 15°85 Nm
Tightening torque 65 Nm65 Nm
Tightening torque 8 Nm8 Nm
Tightening torque 75 Nm75 Nm
Tightening torque 21 Nm21 Nm
Tightening torque 43 Nm43 Nm
Tightening torque 50 Nm50 Nm
Tightening torque 25 Nm + 50° + 50° + 10°25 Nm
Install the balancer shaft on the intake side.9 Nm
Install the balancer shaft on the exhaust side.9 Nm
Install the balancer shaft timing chain tensioner.10 Nm
Install the knock sensor.23 Nm
Attach the intake manifold.9 Nm
Attach the exhaust gas recirculation pipe.9 Nm
Attach the exhaust gas recirculation pipe.8 Nm
Install the engine control unit.9 Nm
Install the engine control unit.10 Nm
Install the oil dipstick guide tube.9 Nm
The steps below are shortened from the Vauxhall TIS pages for the Speedster. The VX220 shares the same engines and most of the car, but check anything unusual against your own car. The TIS pictures and the full wording aren't reproduced, so use the workshop manual if you are doing the job. We haven't seen owners' accounts of this job, so there are no owner tips here.

Engine-out work. Torques are on Torque values.

Thinking of removing the balancer shafts? Owners' experience, the Turbo kit and the NA method are in Balancer shaft deletion: what owners did on the Turbo and NA.

The TDC reference points on the timing chain are indicated by coloured links in the chain. These must line up with the markings on the timing sprockets.

Other jobs from the same factory chapter: Crankshaft and bearing clearances (NA); Crankshaft seals and pickup (NA); Piston rings and cylinder block flatness check (NA).

Balancer shafts

NA (Z22SE) only.

Remove

  1. Remove the engine Note: See operation "Engine, Remove and Install".
  2. Attach the adapter KM-412-27 on the exhaust side.
  3. Remove the oil dipstick guide tube.
    • Pull the oil dipstick out of the oil dipstick guide tube.
    • 1 bolt
    • Pull the oil dipstick guide tube out of the oil pan.
  4. Drill out the shear bolt.
    • Centre–punch
    • Max. depth 10 mm (Use a 3 mm drill.)
    • Until the head of the bolt comes free. (Use a 6.5 mm drill.)
  5. Remove retaining bolt.
  6. Remove the bridge piece. (Reposition the ground cable to one side.)
  7. Remove the retaining bolts. (2 bolts)
  8. Take out the engine control unit.
  9. Detach the throttle body wiring harness connector. (Release the wiring harness connector.)
  10. Detach the wiring harness connector from the intake manifold pressure sensor.
  11. Unbolt the exhaust gas recirculation pipe. (2 nuts; 2 bolts)
  12. Detach the intake manifold. (4 clips; 5 bolts, 2 nuts)
  13. Remove the starter. (2 bolts)
  14. Remove the knock sensor. (Detach the wiring harness connector.)
  15. Attach the adapter KM-412-27 on the intake side.
  16. Attach the engine to the assembly stand KM-412. Note: 2 technicians required
    • Detach the retaining cables from the engine lifting eyes.
  17. Place a drip tray underneath.
  18. Drain the engine oil. (Open the oil drain plug.; Tightening torque 25 Nm)
  19. Align the crankshaft.
    • Rotate the crankshaft in the normal direction of rotation to
  20. Detach the engine damping block bracket. (3 bolts)
  21. Remove the ribbed V–belt.
    • Mark the running direction of the ribbed V–belt.
    • Take out the ribbed V–belt.
  22. Detach the ribbed V–belt tensioner.
  23. Detach the rotational vibration damper. (Use holding adapter KM-J-38122-A in)
  24. Detach the timing case. (11 bolts; Remove the gasket.; Use a suitable tool to remove the oil seal.)
  25. Detach the ignition module. (4 bolts)
  26. Detach the cylinder head cover. (Detach the ground cable.; 14 bolts)
  27. Note: If there is no marking on the camshaft timing chain tensioner, then it should be replaced with a new camshaft timing chain tensioner (part number 24 448 509) including a new camshaft timing chain tensioner rail (part number 24 449 448).
  28. Remove the camshaft timing chain tensioner.
  29. Remove the guide rail. (2 bolts)
  30. Remove the exhaust camshaft sprocket. (Hold the exhaust camshaft by the hexagon.)
  31. Remove the camshaft timing chain tensioner rail. (Lift out to the top.)
  32. Remove the camshaft timing chain guide rail. (Remove the screw plug.; 2 bolts)
  33. Remove the intake camshaft sprocket. (Hold the intake camshaft by the hexagon.)
  34. Take out the camshaft timing chain.
  35. Remove the balancer shaft timing chain tensioner. (2 bolts)
  36. Remove the balancer shaft timing chain tensioner rail.
  37. Remove the balancer shaft timing chain guide rails. (2 off; 4 bolts)
  38. Take out the balancer shaft timing chain.
  39. Remove the balancer shaft on the exhaust side.
  40. Remove the balancer shaft on the intake side.

Install

  1. Install the balancer shaft on the intake side.
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Rotate the balancer shaft once (check for ease of
  2. Install the balancer shaft on the exhaust side.
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Rotate the balancer shaft once (check for ease of
  3. Install the balancer shaft timing chain.
  4. Install the balancer shaft timing chain guide rails. (Tightening torque 10 Nm)
  5. Install the balancer shaft timing chain tensioner rail. (Tightening torque 9 Nm)
  6. Install the balancer shaft timing chain tensioner.
    • Rotate the piston clockwise, press it in and insert KM-6077 into the designated bores.
    • Tightening torque 10 Nm
    • Take out KM-6077.
  7. Insert the camshaft timing chain. Note: Working from the top left and right, insert the timing chain past the central web.
  8. Install the intake camshaft sprocket.
    • Lay the camshaft timing chain onto the camshaft sprocket.
    • Use a new bolt.
    • Tightening torque 85 Nm + 30° + (Tightening torque 85 Nm + 30° + 15°)
  9. Fit the camshaft timing chain.
  10. Install the camshaft timing chain tensioner rail. (Insert from above.; Tightening torque 10 Nm)
  11. Install the camshaft timing chain guide rail. (Tightening torque 10 Nm; Tightening torque 65 Nm)
  12. Secure the camshaft timing chain.
  13. Install the exhaust camshaft sprocket.
    • Rotate the exhaust camshaft by the hexagon until the exhaust
    • Use a new bolt.
    • Tightening torque 85 Nm + 30° + (Tightening torque 85 Nm + 30° + 15°)
  14. Recut the thread. (2 off)
  15. Install the guide rail. (Tightening torque 8 Nm)
  16. Install the camshaft timing chain tensioner.
    • Insert the piston into the housing. (Clamp the piston at the square into a vice.; Turn clockwise to lock the internal piston in the last latch position.)
    • Use new oil seals.
    • Tightening torque 75 Nm
  17. Release the camshaft timing chain tensioner by pressing on the tensioner rail or the camshaft timing chain (using a blunt tool – e.g. a rounded assembly lever). Note: If the TDC markings no longer line up with the coloured chain links, refit the camshaft timing chain. Once the crankshaft has been rotated another turn they will no longer line up.
  18. Install the timing case. Note: Remove the plastic wedge and the cloth from the opening in the timing case.
    • Use a new gasket.
    • Tightening torque 21 Nm
    • Take out KM-6105. (Slide protective sleeve from KM-6105 onto the connecting rod journal.; Coat the sealing lips with silicone grease (white).; Use KM-6105 to press the oil seal into the timing case.; Use bolt of the rotational vibration damper.)
  19. Attach the rotational vibration damper. (Use holding adapter KM-J-38122-A in; Use a new bolt.; Tightening torque 100 Nm + 75° +)
  20. Check the valve timing.
    • Use the retaining bolt of the rotational vibration damper to
    • Rotate the engine further in the normal direction of rotation
  21. Note: In this position the cams of cylinder no. 4 must point upwards.
    • Attach KM-6148 with the enclosed
    • Slide the positioning bolts into the designated bores
    • Detach KM-6148.
  22. Attach the ribbed V–belt tensioner. Note: The lug of the ribbed V–belt tensioner engages into the bore in the timing case. (Tightening torque 43 Nm)
  23. Install the ribbed V–belt.
    • Lay the ribbed V–belt in place.
    • Tension the ribbed V–belt tensioner in the direction of
  24. Attach the engine damping block bracket. (Tightening torque 50 Nm)
  25. Attach the cylinder head cover (Clean the sealing surfaces.; Use new gaskets.; Attach the ground cable; Tightening torque 9 Nm)
  26. Attach the ignition module. (Tightening torque 9 Nm)
  27. Attach and secure the ignition module wiring harness connector.
  28. Detach the engine from the assembly stand KM-412. Note: 2 technicians required (Carefully set down the engine.)
  29. Detach the adapter KM-412-27 on the left–hand side.
  30. Install the knock sensor. (Attach the wiring harness connector.)
  31. Attach the intake manifold. (Use new gaskets.; Tightening torque 9 Nm; Attach the 4 clips.)
  32. Attach the exhaust gas recirculation pipe. (Clean the sealing surfaces.; Use a new gasket.; Tightening torque 9 Nm; Tightening torque 8 Nm)
  33. Attach the wiring harness connector for the intake manifold pressure sensor.
  34. Attach the wiring harness connector for the throttle body. (Secure the wiring harness connector(s).)
  35. Clean the engine control unit.
    • Clean the engine control unit and the plug contacts with
  36. Install the engine control unit.
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Attach and secure the wiring harness connector.
    • Route the ground cable.
    • Tightening torque 10 Nm
  37. Install the oil dipstick guide tube.
    • Coat the oil seals with silicone grease (white).
    • Insert the oil dipstick guide tube as far as the stop into the
    • Tightening torque 9 Nm
    • Insert the oil dipstick.
    • Attach the knock sensor wiring harness to the oil dipstick
  38. Detach the adapter KM-412-27 on the right–hand side.
  39. Install the engine. Note: See operation "Engine, Remove and Install".
  40. Fill up with engine oil and correct as required.

Related guides

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Sources & credit

Written up from these owners' original posts. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

  • Vauxhall TIS: Balancer Shafts, Remove and Install (Engine Removed) (Z 22 SE) by Vauxhall TIS

Last updated 2026-10-25