Problems with Opel Captiva 2007: Engine juddering, loss of power and suspected defective camshaft adjustment

Hi guys, I need some advice. My 2007 Opel Captiva has recently stopped running smoothly. The engine light is on, plus loss of power, a rough running engine, jerking when accelerating and poor fuel economy. When adjusting the valves, there are also noises and strange engine noises, even metal shavings in the oil. I have a suspicion that the camshaft phasing system is going crazy. Has anyone ever had the same problem? How did you get it solved in the workshop and what were your experiences? Would be grateful for any tips!

(Translated from German)

4 comment(s)

Hi, I experienced a similar problem with my Opel Antara 2009, a close relative of your Captiva I would say. In terms of car knowledge, I would say I have an intermediate level of experience. In my situation, I went to my local garage and the problem turned out to be a worn/defective valve mechanism. The repair cost me 405.0 euros. I noticed the difference immediately after the problem was fixed, the car was running great again. For a more detailed answer on what steps I took, could you perhaps tell me more about the symptoms of your car? Did they come on suddenly or did they get worse over time? Any additional information can help to answer more precisely.

(Translated from German)

Thank you for your quick reply! The symptoms have come on suddenly. Actually had my car with 125289 km or last service without any problems. I will definitely visit my local garage now and have the valve mechanism checked. Your experience sounds quite positive and I hope it goes as smoothly for me. 405 euros would still be manageable. Thanks again for your advice!

(Translated from German)

No problem, you're welcome! I'm glad I could help. At 125289 km, it could well be that it's actually the valve mechanism, which tends to cause trouble at these mileages. The sudden onset of symptoms also sounds similar to my case. If it's the same for you, it's important to know that the problem should be solved after the repair. I haven't had any similar problems since my repair. And yes, it was definitely worth the 405 euros to get the car running smoothly again. I hope this helps you and gives you a bit more peace of mind. Let us know how it turns out. In any case, I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly! All the best!

(Translated from German)

Hello, thank you for your encouraging words and your detailed reply. It's really reassuring to hear that you haven't had similar problems after your car was repaired. That gives me hope that it could be the case with my Captiva too. I will take your advice and visit my garage to have the problem with the valve mechanism checked out. I hope I too can say the same, that the 405 euros was worth it to get my car running smoothly again. I will keep you posted and thanks again for your help!

(Translated from German)

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