Chain changed but 'does not rev up correctly'

sg1009

Hi all you Z22SE people, my first post is sadly a cry for help. I've had my VX220 for >7 years now and it's been a good relationship but I think she's having an affair with my local garage.

So the garage has changed the timing chain and all the bits that came in the kit, checked it twice, got some local vauxhall tech in to check it and put it back together. It ticks over 'fine' but
'does not rev up'
'sounds wrong'
'no power and feels like a car that the turbo has gone on'

They are going to do a compression test on it but say they are a bit stumped after that.

The car had been sounding rough for a couple of days so I drove over to the garage. In the 3 miles it took to get there it was getting rapidly worse and when I pulled up outside the car was ticking over but the revs were fluctuating. (I have recorded vid I think but large download)

Also when I got to the garage they couldn't fit her in for a week so was sat in their forecourt unable to move and I wonder if she could have been developing unrelated problems..

Any advice welcome?

Kind thanks
Steve

IDI_AMIN

I had this problem what it was for me the egr pipe to the inlet manifold was not properly seated at the inlet manifold and was drawing too much air and would not rev up code reader was showing 4 codes when i cleared codes it would rev for a minute then engine light would come back on and then would not rev again so check this out

sg1009

Interesting thanks IDI AMIN. I've done the EGR removal, plate and EGR get around mod. I think the garage said that there weren't any engine codes so perhaps this isn't the answer but that depends how long they ran it perhaps.

IDI_AMIN

For this type of problem i would think you might get a code either related to what i mentioned or something to do with the throttle body or one of the connections or air hoses something you think is minor can cause a big problem thats what happened with me

sg1009

Yep, I suspect that would be the case too. Generally the engine throws up a code if it's not happy in any way never mind in this problem. I've got a reader but I can't remember if that tells me anything useful (like compression) with the old ScanTools application.

He's talking about it possibly being damaged valves..

vocky

if the fault occured straight after replacing the chain then it sounds like the chain isn't timed up correctly.

An easy way for them to check is;

remove spark plug from cylinder number one, insert long screwdriver into the spark plug hole, crank engine until TDC is reached. Then remove cam cover and ensure the cam lobes on cylinder number four (next to gearbox) are pointing towards each other at 10 'O' clock (inlet cam) and 2 'O' clock (exhaust cam)

vocky

show them this picture for reference

sg1009

Thanks vocky, I'm going to have to compile a list of things to check and give it to the garage monday. He did say he was sure it was timed up correctly but that was before he put it back together.

sg1009

I've been reading some other posts about engaging the tensioner before starting the engine up. Could this be what the garage has forgot to do?

vocky

I have had the chain jump a tooth during install a couple of times, but thankfully I always triple check the timing marks.

It usually occurs when you fit the tensioner, so I always recheck after the tensioner is fitted.

I now have changed the method I use to fit the chain - by tensioning the inlet side of the chain (by moving the crank slightly) before fitting the tensioner, this new method has not seen a jumped tooth yet.

sg1009

I guess using your method above he'll be able to tell if the timing is out then it'll be a case of stripping it down again. Does all this take time because he said it took over 2 hours to strip down to the old chain? I'm guessing its been more than 5 hours labour so far.

vocky

two hours is about right for accessing the chain on a vx220

the method in the post above the picture should take under one hour to perform.

vocky

also you have not mentioned if there is an EML, it might be no throttle causing the fault. Possibly the two plugs behind the coolant bottle need cleaning.

sg1009

Thanks Vocky. I'm getting very concerned today, when I spoke to the mechanic friday he said if he can't sort it out monday he doesn't know what else to do and (slightly more fluffy but) 'the car's in my way'. I think I'd have to have it AA recovered to another garage who'd then have to start again I'm presuming.

What's EML? Engine Management Light? I'm told there are no fault codes and presumably no light. When I took it to the garage the light came on and the mechanic said something about 2 codes, one referring to timing.

vocky

whereabouts in the country are you ?

might be a decent garage nearby or a member who can have a look for you.

Did they fit a genuine chain kit or a pattern chain kit ?

sg1009

I'm south Nottingham. I'm not sure of any VX / lotus specialists in these parts.

sg1009

I don't know which chain kit they went for. They normally let me source the parts but this time I left it with them.

sg1009

Right just got through to the garage (he did say he was working today).
Timing chain kits were:
Lucas FAI TCK2 V2.2 16V
LTCK67003 TIMING CHAIN
Included all the pulleys guides and all the bits.

He's going to try your method with the screwdriver Vocky and he knew exactly what procedure you meant. At least that will tell us if it's the timing.

Other points of the conversation:
Each time he rechecked the chain it was in tension.
He's not let it run for too long and wonders if a short drive or leaving it running may clear it or throw up some fault codes.

vocky

http://www.mmgperformance.co.uk/

MMG Performance
UNit 2, North Lees, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1DQ
Workshop: 01335 418186

sg1009

Nice, they might be 30 miles away but I know the area. Ashbourne's nice too. Good option.