Engine Running Rough, No Power.

JohnJ

Hi all, Brought Y reg Vectra B 2.2SRi last July, and have loved it up until 3-4 weeks ago.

After doin the shoppin with the missus, jumped back in the car fireed her up and it sounded like a lawnmower. Took 2-3 seconds of turning over to fire up ( Which I had notice happens more if you stop then start the car wen its warm, wether it be 1 min or 5), once it had started it sounded as though id just blown the exhaust manifold of the engine it was that bad. There was no power or acceleration, it just trundled along slowly till i got it back home. Parked it up and
left it for a week as I was on nights and can walk to work, decided to start her up and have a look and it started fine. no hint of any issues, SO i Jump in drive of to town, go to my parents ( 25 mile round trip ) and alls good. THen just b4 i get back on the drive it happens again. Turn car off, then back on and it does the same. Left it for an hour, started up, same problem, left it for 5 hours come back and its fine, drove to town and back no problems. Left it for a couple days then tried again and the Battery had died. Replaced battery and it Started fine, got half mile down the road and it did it again so turnt round and got back, parked it up and turnt it off. Started it back up right away and started perfect then after 10 secs it happened again, and this time ( and this is the first time for it ) the Engine Managment light has come on. Now over the last few days it starts rough and the EML is constantly on.

I have absolutley no idea wot it could or how to go about eliminating things that wont cost me.

any help appreciated,

John

Sjdickso

John,

What is the service history like on the car?

Has the chain ever been changed if it hasnt then i wouldnt drive the car until some one who know about these engines looks at it. Have you checked the basics oil level etc?

JohnJ

Hi Sjdickso,

Car has 94,500 on clock. Previous owner told chains had been replaced at 52,000 as they broke and made a mess. ( cost £1800 to repair ), and then they were done at 75,000.
I am gettin a hazzy puff of smoke out the back wen starting from cold, Checked all plugs the all are fine, 1,2 & 3 are perfect colouring, and 4 is a bit darker.
I changed Oil/Air/Fuel Filters wen I brought the car.
I check oil once or twice a month and top up if needed.

JohnJ

Does the z22se have a MAF sensor, the 2.0 DTI i had couple yrs ago did, it produced simiilar problmes but minus the awfull noises...

Sjdickso

I am sure one of the techies will advise, but from what other users have suffered it could be a blocked precat dunno.. ,

It seems to be fairly common for these engines to burn oil after chain failure.

Other common issues egr / cts / throtle body clogged / check wires on the air intake senor connector, but i dont think these would cause issues like you are explaining.

If i was sure it isnt the chain, then start with the small simple things like above.

JohnJ

Thanks for the list :p nice to know I got a job on my hands lol.

Is there any chance u have any pics of sed parts so I no wot I'm looking for/at.

Cheers

JohnJ

Forgot to mention I've changed plugs wen I did the battery. No change.

jbaggaley

Sounding much like the coil pack. If you know someone with opcom or tech2 they will be able to monitor relevant sensors. Perhaps a post asking for someone I'n your area

JohnJ

Ok, an update for you all...

AFter seeing the comment by jbaggaley and speaking with a few mates, Coil pack seeme to be the common conclusion, so ordered 1 Thursday, arrived today.

I first started the car with old Coilpack - Ran like a bag of shit.
Changed to new 1 started fine and is purring again, took for a drive, no problems.
then i thought id jsut try the old 1 again, and once plugged back in ran llike shit, swopped back, and its perfect

Soo, I think thaqt in this case my Coil Pack was on it way out, well its now dead lol. new 1( Even to 2nd hand) is working fine.

Thanks for all ur help on this.

Regards John ( a much happier John 😛)

ecky1972

glad you got it sorted

Matt

Glad it's all sorted mate :thumbup:

Banners

Hi Got exactley the same issue with my 2.2 sri b. I'm hearing all the same noises from my mates and on forums re the coil pack. Getting a diagnostic tomorrow to check but this just reasures me that it is the coil.

How much did it cost for the coil pack and where best to look or where did you get it from. Best I can find is second hand on EBay for £40.00

Regards Banners

Matt

Banners said:
Hi Got exactley the same issue with my 2.2 sri b. I'm hearing all the same noises from my mates and on forums re the coil pack. Getting a diagnostic tomorrow to check but this just reasures me that it is the coil.

How much did it cost for the coil pack and where best to look or where did you get it from. Best I can find is second hand on EBay for £40.00

Regards Banners

£25 2nd hand on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/astra-%2f-zafira- ... dZViewItem

JohnJ

I got mine 2nd hand on ebay.

There was an autcion from £20 with 4 days left, or a £30 but it now which i did.

Cars still going fine 🙂

D1RTY-H4RRY71

New coil pack fitted and still the same :-( any suggestions what it can be , it has had new plugs also