Z22SE major vibration ...

UKDigger

A couple of days ago my 2002 Zafira 2.2 with the Z22SE engine (engine number 11105927) suddenly started to vibrate quite badly - you can feel it throughout the whole car, and holding the steering wheel is like holding a drill. Despite the vibration - the engine responds really well with pickup and power. I've cleaned out the air intake and checked the plugs. No tapping or ticking sounds as far as I can tell. The only issue is that when I checked the oil it hardly registered on the dipstick - but there was no warning light on the dash, and engine temperature was well within normal operating levels. The odometer no longer displays the mileage but I'm guessing it must be near the 50,000 mark. Last service was back in 2006 so due a bit of TLC. Brought the oil levels back to normal - no change, so I'm expecting a catastrophic failure any time soon - any ideas on what it might be?? Torsional vibration damper maybe - assuming the Z22SE has one? One other thing - the vibration is still there when the car is stationary and its a manual gearbox.

AceOdinn

Well, I think there can be variety of problems:
low compression in one cylinder, blocked injector jet, dead ignition coil, or even jumped on several teeth chain.
Or innocent engine mount failure 😃
Am I right? notsure.gif

JohnnyN

Possible balance chain failure?

UKDigger

I'm thinking balance chain failure myself - but I would have thought it would be rattling around, unless it is a bearing failure on the balance shaft itself. I don't think it is anything to do with the electrics - all plugs were a healthy looking brown, and there is no blue smoke coming out of the exhaust although clearly the oil is going somewhere - so I'm ruling out rings. (No drips on the pavement either)

AceOdinn

UKDigger said:
and there is no blue smoke coming out of the exhaust although clearly the oil is going somewhere - so I'm ruling out rings.

It can be still a low compressoin due the exhaust valve (for example).
I've got such problem on my Toyota Avensis and the reason was in damaged valve. 🙁

UKDigger

Just back from the local Vauxhall repair shop ... the diagnostics are pointing to the 'old chestnut' EGR valve!! Will take it off tonight for a quick inspection - I guess it could cause enough engine instability to cause the vibration.

vocky

fit a blanking plate, just under a fiver these days

JohnnyN

Blimey!! Can a faulty egr really cause that much trouble? Going by your description it sounded horrendous!

sophos9

Excellent news - nice easy fix :thumbup:

UKDigger

Well - took off the EGR tonight, cleaned it up (it actually wasn't too bad) tested it mechanically - but not electrically so don't really know if the solenoid travels in and out - but I wouldn't have thought that much could go wrong with that. I will try the blanking plate anyway - but I'm not convinced this is the issue at all. The fan belt looks OK - but I'm wondering if a bearing on the A/C compressor of the Alternator might be the issue?

sophos9

The EGR needs testing on the vehicle as part of a diagnostic actuating test and with engine running under load. Disconnect EGR and run engine (you may get EML light which may need to be reset by diagnostic), is the problem still there?

UKDigger

AceOdinn suggested a dodgy exhaust valve - I did notice that when I took off the il filler cap - there were pulses of air coming out from the cam cover - but they weren't particularly hot gases which I would expect if they were exhaust fumes. Anyway - I've just loaded the fuel up with Redex Fuel Cleaner to see if it decokes the head a little. Also I'm going to replace the plugs just in case - anyone know what the gap should be for a Z22SE?? I've just bought some NGK PTR5A-10 plugs - only a single electrode, but I'm guessing that should be OK.

JohnnyN

In an ideal world, genuine GM plugs are the best. Triple electrode and preset. IIRC, the gap on a normal plug is 1,1mm.

checkers

was there an outcome for this problem ?

kravo369

Hi, I had a very similar problem with my Zafira. If you still have the problem, it worth placing your hand on the block whilst the engine is running. If you can feel a heavy vibration then I suspect the secondary timing chain tensioner has failed. That's what happen to by Zafira. Also, when I revved it to around 4,000 rpm, I could hear a loud metallic noise from the engine. Hope this helps or you have an easier problem to sort!