P0016 on Opel: How to Diagnose & Fix
Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor A
6 Opel models · 7 documented issues · 7 critical · $700-$6,500 repair
P0016 on Opel by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The second-generation Mokka B (built on the Stellantis CMP platform) uses the PSA/Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2) three-cylinder turbo with a 'wet' timing belt that runs submerged in engine oil. Fuel dilution and oil contamination cause the belt rubber to break down prematurely; shed particles clog the oil pump pick-up strainer, starving the engine of oil, and the belt itself can skip teeth or snap. Because it is an interference engine, belt failure typically destroys valves and pistons. Affected cars also show excessive oil consumption. Stellantis acknowledged the defect and runs a PureTech compensation platform covering documented oil-consumption and premature-belt expenses on 1.0/1.2 PureTech cars, with extended warranty up to 10 years / 112,000 miles under conditions.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling/whining from front of engine
- Excessive oil consumption between services
- Oil warning light
- Loss of power or sudden engine failure
- Metal/rubber debris in oil
How to Fix
Strictly follow the (shortened) oil-and-belt service interval with the correct low-SAPS oil; replace the wet belt, tensioner and oil pump strainer preventively (many indies convert/replace early). If oil consumption or belt debris is found, submit a claim through the Stellantis PureTech compensation portal / authorised dealer; catastrophic failures require a full engine rebuild or replacement.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- INA 530 0856 10 PureTech timing-belt and water-pump kit
Confirm Opel Mokka VIN, engine code and current belt/chain configuration.
- Laser 7317 PSA wet-belt inspection gauge
Use only with the manufacturer procedure and correct engine; it does not apply to chain-equipped engines.
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Sources for this issue (3)
The naturally aspirated 1.2 (Z12XEP/A12XER) and 1.4 (Z14XEP/A14XER) petrol engines in the Corsa D use a timing chain, not a belt, and the chain can stretch. This is a different problem from the one on the 1.4 turbo (A14NET). The first sign is usually a rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. As the chain stretches, the cam timing drifts out of step with the crankshaft, which can set a cam timing fault code and make the engine run roughly. Autodoc reports that the 1.4 87 hp can show symptoms as early as 60,000-80,000 km. Owners on UK forums say stretched and worn chains are very common on these engines and that the engines are fussy about oil. One forum member said a 4-year-old Corsa needed an engine rebuild after a timing chain problem. A worn chain can shed metal shavings into the oil and cause major engine damage, so get a cold-start rattle checked promptly.
Common Symptoms
- Metallic rattle for a few seconds after a cold start
- Ticking noise from the engine (can be a failed tensioner)
- Check engine light with a cam timing code (a garage found P0017 on a 1.4)
- Rough or uneven running
How to Fix
What to check first: listen for a metallic rattle from the engine in the first seconds after a cold start, and have the fault codes read. On a 2012 Corsa 1.4, a garage found code P0017 (crankshaft/exhaust camshaft position not plausible) alongside rough running and chain noise. Not every rattle on these engines is the chain. Hella has a bulletin for the same Z12XEP/Z14XEP engines in the Astra H covering rattling, low power and misfire codes P0300-P0304. It says the cause can be camshaft bearing-cap bolts that were not tightened to the specified torque. Cars that have already been checked and fixed carry a yellow mark on top of the timing chain cover, so ask the garage to check the bolts too. A ticking noise can also come from the tensioner alone. On one 1.2 Corsa D, the owner reported a failed timing chain tensioner, and the dealer booked the chain work under warranty. The repair: replace the chain, tensioner and guides as a kit. Owners also advise replacing the water pump at the same time. Ask the garage to use a kit that matches your engine. A Vauxhall field remedy (2430) covering Z12XEP/Z14XEP and related engines says that its timing chain repair kit (P/N 93191271) can set DTC P0340 after installation. The bulletin says that from engine number 19DN0327, the camshaft and crankshaft gears changed from sintered metal to stamped sheet metal, and the two types must not be mixed. Prevention: owners recommend regular oil changes with oil of the correct grade and specification, rather than long-life extended service intervals. Coverage: we found no recall or extended warranty for this. Owners report that dealers have handled chain and tensioner repairs inside the new-car warranty. Owners also suggest contacting Vauxhall customer services if a dealer is slow to act. Cost: owners on a UK forum estimated at least £500 for this kind of job, and said £500-£700 would be reasonable, mostly for labour. If the chain has already damaged the engine, they suggested the repair may not be worth paying for.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine 93191271 timing-chain kit for Z12XEP/Z14XEP
Confirm registration/VIN and engine number before ordering.
- TCK43-7th timing-chain kit for A12XER/A14XER
Confirm VIN and engine code.
- Genuine GM Dexos2 5W-30 engine oil 5 L 95599581
Check the exact engine, market owner manual and current successor specification before use; product 95599581 must not override VIN-specific guidance.
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Sources for this issue (5)
- Problems with the Opel Corsa D (Autodoc)secondary-guide
- Vauxhall service department - Corsa timing chain (Singletrack forum)owner-forum
- MoneySavingExpert forum: Advice 2012 1.4 Corsa timing beltforum
- Hella bulletin: Vauxhall Astra H Z14XEP/Z12XEP rattling noises and insufficient engine powerbulletin
- Vauxhall Field Remedy 2430: Timing chain repair kit, DTC P0340 after installationbulletin
The 1.2 PureTech (EB2 family) three-cylinder petrol engine used in the Opel Combo / Combo Life uses a 'wet' timing belt that runs submerged in engine oil. The belt material degrades prematurely when the oil deteriorates (extended service intervals, wrong oil spec, or fuel dilution of the oil). As it breaks down, the belt sheds rubber particles into the oil, which clog the oil pump pickup, oil pump strainer and VVT solenoids, causing oil starvation. In the worst case the belt strips or snaps, and because it is an interference engine, valves collide with pistons and the engine is destroyed. Stellantis has acknowledged the defect, reduced service/belt intervals, and extended warranty coverage (up to ~10 years / ~112,000 miles) plus a claims portal for repair-cost reimbursement.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling or whirring noise from the timing belt area
- Rubber debris/sludge in the oil filter or oil
- Oil warning light / low oil pressure
- High oil consumption (up to ~1L per 1000 miles)
- Loss of power or rough running
- Engine fails to start or seizes after belt failure
How to Fix
Service the engine annually with the exact correct low-SAPS oil specification and never exceed the (revised, shortened) oil-change and belt-replacement intervals. Have the wet timing belt and oil pump strainer inspected/replaced early per the updated Stellantis schedule. If the car qualifies, claim repair costs through the Stellantis PureTech goodwill/warranty portal. Some specialists convert affected engines to an upgraded belt or recommend earlier renewal; a failed belt usually means a replacement or rebuilt engine.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- INA 530 0856 10 118-tooth wet timing-belt kit
Confirm VIN/OE number.
- ToolHub PureTech 16 mm wet-belt inspection gauge
PSA/Stellantis EB0/EB2 1.0/1.2 belt-in-oil engines, including Combo E; equivalent to 0109-6/1643190080.
- TotalEnergies Quartz Ineo Xtra First 0W-20 5 L
Specification-based consumable; verify current Opel/Stellantis VIN schedule because oil guidance can be superseded.
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Sources for this issue (3)
The PSA/BMW "Prince" 1.6 THP engine in early Grandland X (2018-2021) suffers timing chain stretch, also documented across Peugeot 3008/5008 and Citroën C5 Aircross. Symptoms appear from 80,000 km. It has the same root cause as the well-documented MINI Cooper S timing chain issue from the same engine family.
Common Symptoms
- Rattle on cold start
How to Fix
Chain kit replacement €1,200-€2,000. Stick to 10,000 km oil intervals with full-synthetic C2/C3. Listen for the characteristic "death rattle" on cold start — once consistent, replacement is urgent.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- BGA TC1030FK timing-chain kit with gears
Confirm VIN, engine code, OE number and 138-link/gear configuration.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (1)
Grandland X models with the 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine (EB2/EB2ADTS, developed by PSA) use a 'wet' timing belt that runs submerged in engine oil. The belt coating breaks down over time, shedding rubber/material debris into the oil. This debris clogs the oil pump pickup strainer, VVT solenoids and oil passages, causing oil starvation and accelerated wear, and the belt can ultimately snap, causing catastrophic engine damage on this interference engine. Symptoms include rattling on cold start, oil or engine warning lights, ticking from the timing case and excessive oil consumption.
Common Symptoms
- Cold-start rattle
- Ticking/whirring from timing case
- Oil pressure / engine warning light
- High oil consumption
- Loss of power or sudden engine failure
How to Fix
Replace the wet timing belt well ahead of the original interval. Manufacturer guidance was revised down from ~180,000 km to roughly every 90,000-100,000 km (or 6 years); some specialists recommend even earlier inspection. Use only the correct low-SAPS oil and keep to short oil-change intervals to slow belt breakdown. If debris/oil starvation has occurred, the oil pump strainer, solenoids and possibly the engine must be inspected/replaced.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- INA 530 0856 10 118-tooth wet timing-belt kit
Confirm VIN, EB2 engine code and OE number; exclude chain-equipped hybrid/Gen-3 engines.
- ToolHub PureTech 16 mm wet-belt inspection gauge
PSA/Stellantis EB0/EB2 belt-in-oil engines using the 16 mm gauge equivalent; not for chain engines and not a substitute for visible-condition inspection.
- TotalEnergies Quartz Ineo First 0W-30 5 L
Specification-based consumable; confirm the Grandland VIN's current Opel/Stellantis service information before use because later guidance may supersede B71 2312.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (5)
- Why Does the Peugeot 1.2 Puretech Fail So Often? - GT Automotivearticle
- Wet Timing Belt Wear Check on 1.2 PureTech (Peugeot/Citroen/Vauxhall/Opel) - YouTubearticle
- Opel Grandland Gebrauchtwagen-Info - ADACarticle
- Fiabilité Opel Grandland X - Fiches Autoarticle
- Stellantis PureTech-Motoren mit Zahnriemen im Öl: Erweiterte Garantie - auto motor und sportarticle
The Renault-sourced R9M 1.6 BiTurbo CDTI used in Vivaro B (and Renault Trafic III) develops timing chain stretch, typically 100,000-180,000 km. It starts with cold-start rattle and misfire codes, and the chain can then skip and cause valve damage. It is particularly bad on stop-start fleet use without regular oil changes.
Common Symptoms
- cold start rattle
- misfire
- loss of power
- engine warning
How to Fix
Fit a full chain kit (€1,200-€1,800) including chain, guides, tensioners and sprockets. The job often involves dropping the engine in vans due to tight clearance, which raises the total cost. Use C4-spec low-SAPS 5W-30 oil and shorten intervals to 15,000 km max for fleet/stop-start duty.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- R9M Vivaro B full engine timing-chain kit
Confirm VIN, engine suffix, power output and kit contents/OE numbers.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (2)
P0016 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0016 mean on a Opel?
P0016 stands for "Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor A." P0016 means the engine computer found that the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors on Bank 1 (Sensor A) are not lining up the way they should — the timing 'correlation' between them is out of range. These two sensors tell the computer where the pistons and valves are so it can time fuel injection and spark precisely. When their signals don't agree within tolerance, the computer sets this code. It generally indicates an engine timing issue, which may be a worn timing chain, a sticking variable valve timing component, or a sensor problem, and can cause rough running, hard starting, or potential engine damage if ignored. On Opel it is documented across 6 models: Mokka, Corsa, Combo, Grandland, Vivaro, Astra.
What are the most common causes of P0016?
The most common causes of P0016 are: Stretched timing chain or worn timing components (guides/tensioner), Faulty camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensor, Stuck or faulty variable valve timing (VVT/VCT) actuator or solenoid, Low or dirty engine oil affecting the VVT actuator, Clogged oil control valve or restricted oil passages, Timing chain/belt installed one tooth off after service, Damaged reluctor/tone ring on the crankshaft or camshaft, Wiring or connector faults at the position sensors. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0016 on a Opel?
Published repair estimates on Opel range from $700 to $6,500 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.