engine help

stemacca

Hi was going to give my car a quick service the other day when i removed the coil pack i noticed that 1 of the spark plug chambers was full of water so cleaned up all the water took the spark plug out to check it and when i put it back in and tightened it up within about 5 seconds the chamber had filled with water and was overflowing. The only thing i can think of is the head is cracked, did a compression test and all cylinders were running fine so cant be the gasket. Rather than mess around buying a second hand head and fitting it i am gong to get another engine.
I have the vectra sri 150 (z22se)and was wondering what other cars have the same engine and what is the difference between the z22se and the z22yh? if i got the YH would i have to change anything else (wiring loom etc) or would it be a straight forward fit.

Thanks
Stephen :thumbup:

vocky

Hi Stephen,

your cylinder does appear to be cracked 🙁

you can use rad weld to stop the leak as a temporary measure but you will need another head.

the vx220, astra, vectra and zafira z22se engines are all the same, but the vectra has a different inlet cam for the power steering pump so you might have to swap that over

if you get a head with bent valves you could use your good valves, but check that the valve guides are not cracked

straight swap - just reuse your parts with the new head

stemacca

thanks for your help makes searching a lot easier. I know a place that only wants £300 for the engine and by the time i have bought a head messed round swapping valves etc and buying a new head gasket will be easier and cheaper to do a straight swap plus my engine has done over 100k, just a waiting game until thay get 1 of those cars in

Thanks again :thumbup:

sandyc

£300 is very cheap for one of those engines and I would be very careful. You may end up with more serious problems eventually.
You can get a reconditioned head for £300 or a good used one for anything up to half that.
I considered a replacement for my smokey lump but instead shelled out and sorted it out so I know the engine will be good for years to come.
I took my head off to do the stem seals and the job snowballed into rings, big ends and a new chain for good measure. buying bits and doing it as my time and finances allowed.
None of it is hard to do. Just give yourself a good clear weekend or 2 to get through it and you should be fine depending on how much you feel the need to do to it.

astra22bertoneauto

sandyc said:
£300 is very cheap for one of those engines and I would be very careful. You may end up with more serious problems eventually.
You can get a reconditioned head for £300 or a good used one for anything up to half that.
I considered a replacement for my smokey lump but instead shelled out and sorted it out so I know the engine will be good for years to come.
I took my head off to do the stem seals and the job snowballed into rings, big ends and a new chain for good measure. buying bits and doing it as my time and finances allowed.
None of it is hard to do. Just give yourself a good clear weekend or 2 to get through it and you should be fine depending on how much you feel the need to do to it.

I agree you wont know what you are buying! Might last years or 10 mins...........