High Millage Vectra.

Paslan

I have a Vectra, with the 2.2 engine, which has now covered over 225,000 miles, mostly on the motorways.

Just had to have the engine rebuilt as the cam chain jumped on the sprockets, and it bent eight values. It may have been less expensive to have replaced the engine, but I got it fixed instead. Aside from that the engine sounds ok.

I am suffering with excessive oil consumption tho. driven at about 58 mph on the motorways, I get about 2k per litre, at about 70 mpg, probably about 300 miles per litre. Anyone have any experience of this and any suggestions. I did hear that this engine has problems with the coating used in the cylinders, leading to heavy oil consumption.

MikeS

did it suffer with oil consumption before the rebuild ?

Paslan

I don't think its changed, it has been using this amount of oil for the past 50l miles or so. I don't recall a point where it suddenly changed, its just developed this condition.

BTW, the mechanic who fixed the engine said that the Z22 engine was bulletproof, aside from the issue with the timing chain jumping, which appears to be fairly common. He recommended the use of 1-/40 Semi Synthetic oil, I buy this by the gallon from Tescos for about 14 quid. We went on to say that he didn't think that the 1.8 engine fitted to the Vectra was capable of such millage.

I'm inclined to think that the problem is with worn rings and or pistons, and would benefit from a rebore and new pistons, the same mechanic did say thou that the engines do use a lot of oil, (not sure if he appreciated just how much my one is using).

I previously had an Omega, with a 2l engine, this went to 200k miles before being written off. The cam belt on this was a pain in the ass by the way, and needed changing every 40k miles.

MikeS

yeh 1.8 engines are awful

they rarely last more than 90k without bottom end knocking or HG failure

i know someone with z22se vec C with 200k on clock and regularly changes the oil every 6 months and it is still going strong

i would first look at the problematic areas on the this engine that suffer from oil leaks - water pump, crank seal, tensioner, main seal, power steering pump, cam cover - unless oil is pissing out when you rev it i would look at leaks first

Daz

Just had a w reg zaffy 1.8 in for an airflow meter. 268000 miles on it. And its never been apart. Probs one of the very few good ones lol

comet

Paslan said:
I have a Vectra, with the 2.2 engine, which has now covered over 225,000 miles, mostly on the motorways.

Just had to have the engine rebuilt as the cam chain jumped on the sprockets, and it bent eight values. It may have been less expensive to have replaced the engine, but I got it fixed instead. Aside from that the engine sounds ok.

I am suffering with excessive oil consumption tho. driven at about 58 mph on the motorways, I get about 2k per litre, at about 70 mpg, probably about 300 miles per litre. Anyone have any experience of this and any suggestions. I did hear that this engine has problems with the coating used in the cylinders, leading to heavy oil consumption.

Wow - that's quite a vote of confidence for the engine. Was it the original timing chain? I'm guessing not, but just curious.

solorider

MikeS said:
yeh 1.8 engines are awful

they rarely last more than 90k without bottom end knocking or HG failure

the 1.8 engine is a very good engine,my sisters 1.8 has 150k miles on it with no issues at all with it,at the moment by brother in law is doing a 30 mile comute with it,the 1.8 is capable of doing well over 200k,dont forget if you look around you will find some 2.2s have knocked their bottom ends out at a very low mileage.

oh welome paslan btw

Paslan

Yep, was the original timing chain.

The only work the engine had received, was a replacement water pump about three years ago.

Strangely, the oil light came on driving home last night. I did a rough count, and its doing about 400 miles to the litre. That's 400 miles at about 50-60 mph, would probably be less if I was pushing the engine more.

By the way, most of the miles on this can have been motorway miles.

comet

Paslan said:
Yep, was the original timing chain.

Strewth - that's some going.

In terms of the oil consumption - given the miles it's done it might be worth getting a dry then wet compression test done. That will give you some idea of how the pistons/bores are.

Matt

Moved to correct section.