Problems With Astra 2.2 Engine - See Post For Details

Turbo_Scott

Hello all,

I'm posting this on behalf of my girlfriend who drives a 52reg Astra 2.2. She has a number of problems, one of which is puzzling. I don't drive a 2.2 so I'm not too familiar with the engine, I'm used to the Z20LET.

So hopefully you guys can shed some light on the following:

Problem 1:

The car engine is filling with coolant above the spark plug, pretty sure she told me it was cylinder four. Now normally I'd be thinking, cracked cylinder head, however it's not overheating at all and there's no "mayo" on the dipstick or oil cap. Rocket cover gasket has been changed in June 2012. The engine management light is on, originally she thought this was a lambda sensor but now we're not sure. There is only minimal white smoke from the engine, but this usually coincides with cold weather and is not much different from what my car or other cars give off in the same weather.

Problem 2:

The engine is using a lot of oil and when I say a lot, I mean it. My girlfriend has owned a 2.2 in the past and tells me that the engine is known for using a bit of oil but this is more than just a bit, it's more like four litres per month. Possibly related to problem 1?

Problem 3:

When she starts the car up from cold it will wind over, maybe twice, and then fire into life but the revs will go a a lot higher than what I've ever noticed on other cars, revs can be as high as 2-2500rpm before slowly dropping to the normal 1000ish then once warm dropping to 700-800rpm.

Problem 4:

The fuel gauge is about as accurate as a plumbers estimate! It'll be fine (ish) until around 1/4 tank then it'll bounce between 0 & 1/4 depending on which corner your driving around.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

MikeS

sounds like cracked head as a result of over tightening of spark plugs

where else does coolant come from ?

i sort that problem out first and whilst you have the head off you can look at why it is burning oil

might be easier to find a new lump from somewhere - we have got users on here who supply and fit decent engines

and welcome to z22se - the search button is your best friend

Turbo_Scott

Hi Mike,

I did use the search button but I couldn't find anyone who had the same problem IE: Not overheating <u>&</u> no mayo. So I was thinking it might not be related to a cracked head as these problems usually are associated alongside some mayo & excess heat.

Unfortunately buying a pressure tested cylinder head or **another **engine (Yes this is the second engine the car has had) is expensive and the car will be going to the great scrap heap in the sky as the cost of the parts & labour will end up being the value of the car. So we're ideally hoping that it could be something else.

Thanks.

bobbyknowlds

nope , usually the head being cracked ... the oil ? what milage did the engine have on it when you put it in , the higher revs from cold well mine used to do that so i cant comment on that and the fuel gauge , it looks as tho its had a quarter of a tank in it all its life and the sender is slightly worn on that measurement so not being as accurate , i used to have a car like that .... good luck

vocky

problem 1 will be a cracked head as mentioned already, the head is scrap and you will need to source a replacement

problem 2 will be either the valve guides or piston rings need replacing

problem 3 could be the throttle body needs cleaning or an air leak

it may be cheaper to source a complete engine and swap it in one go

markoneswift

I had these issues, except the filling with coolant over the plug. I was using a lot of coolant and oil though so ended up with replacement engine. The cause of the oil consumption on the old engine was rings and scored bores, caused by all the crap from the knackered cam bearings getting into the oil. My fuel gauge is never accurate around 1/4 to 0 - varies wildly depending on which side of the road I park !!!!!

Turbo_Scott

I know it won't be getting another engine, three engines in one car within 12 months is a joke. Thanks for the advice guys but it looks like we'll be getting a VAG & scrapping this. :cool:

Din

It's ways nice to sell as spares or repairs rather than scrapping it... I got £300.00 for a badly dented rover a couple of weeks ago... Double scrap value.