Just bought Z22SE, wanna give it a service

TheDave

I know these engines have a big worry ref: timing chains snapping... my car has apparently had a new chain last June... I hope! I have a receipt for parts on a "balance shaft kit" and it was about 185 quid.

Anyway, I want to give it a quick service, oil, filter, air filter, plugs.

Is there any decision you guys have made over the years on the best oil? I've seen receipts for 5w/30 fully synth, but I think it has 10w/40 semi in there currently. I change oil every 7k really. What would you run? I had a Corsa Sport 1.6 16v and a Corsa 1.4 8v Flair some years ago and always used 10w/40 semi synth GM oil, nice and cheap and seemingly good oil.

Is the oil filter a paper insert? I am no mechanic, but I've only ever seen oil filters be in a metal housing...

I was gonna put some decent plugs in - perhaps NGK platinums, I've seen some for 15 quid or so delivered for the z22se which seems ok, I think they last 20k perhaps? Or should I be running something else which may well last that kinda timeframe?

Thanks everyone - I am very wary about the chain going, I wasn't actually after a 2.2 but the car was too nice to refuse 🙂 The cars actually done 125k too, but the engine sounds really nice and quiet!! So I don't know what to expect yet haha.

Matt

Oil filter is the paper element type.

Plug wise, most people on here recommend sticking with the GM triple electrodes.

Oil, 5W/40 I think @[deleted] was running and seemed to make the engine run nice

Matt

Oh, and some more oil information here: https://z22se.co.uk/threads/oil-advise-and-recommendations-here.13465/

MikeS

yeh Fuchs Titan 5/40 is good stuff

used less than a litre since change in September, massive different on castrol 5/30

I would put a panel filter in with air intake mode to airbox using vectra C air scoop from diesel

TheDave

I'll have to read about the intake mods 🙂 Not too fussed about power but if it aids responsiveness and economy then that'd be good.

Just checked my oil... typical vauxhall dipstick thinks it's empty near enough, question is - is it accurate? lol

It's like a hi-tensile bendy steel affair with a sort of corrugated level marker on the end which doesn't look all that good for wear how its attached!

This is off google so must be a normal dipstick (its not mine dont worry lol) - are they accurate??

Matt

https://z22se.co.uk/resources/wrong-oil-level-indication-on-oil-dipstick.27/

TheDave

lol you're a good un dude I need to start searching properly 🙂

Just ordered loads of bits from opie oils with 25 percent discount before it runs out 🙂 So oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, gonna give fuchs titan xtr 10w/40 semi synth a go, on all my cars it gets done every 6/7k.. should be ok. I hope! lol I'm on edge with this timing chain business.

Matt

TheDave said:
lol you're a good un dude I need to start searching properly 🙂

Just ordered loads of bits from opie oils with 25 percent discount before it runs out 🙂 So oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, gonna give fuchs titan xtr 10w/40 semi synth a go, on all my cars it gets done every 6/7k.. should be ok. I hope! lol I'm on edge with this timing chain business.

Yeah, I suppose it would be better if you could find out if the timing chain had been replaced. If the Balance Chain has been done, I'd have thought they would have done the timing chain at the same time, as the timing chain has to come off to get to the balance chain bits.

How 2 fit cam chains

TheDave

Is there any sure fire way of checking the condition of the chains and so on? I will be seeing a bit of a vauxhall genius late on in the week who I used to use some years ago, so will be discussing the chain situation with him, I'm getting a better understanding of it now 🙂

TheDave

This is the paperwork for the more major stuff last year in around June so not even 12 months ago... but it's for parts. I assume it's all fitted! lol

Balance shaft kit, thermostat, waterpump, coolant, oil change, and theres a pic of a timing chain kit on a piece of paper - I assume this is a regular timing chain kit anyway?

Not sure what to think, I am easily made paranoid, been out in it a bit today and am constantly listening for unusual timing chain noises, I expect you do hear very faint chain noise normally?

Matt

55563406 is the latest part for the Balance Chain Kit.

Seems strange they have a picture of the timing chain from EPC with a price, but I'd guess that is someone just getting a quote for getting it replaced.

The fact is says £228 inc VAT suggests that was from Vauxhall, as their kits are £190 + VAT retail.

TheDave

Interesting. So the pic above is a timing chain and different to the balance chain?

Is there any method of checking how good the condition of either chain is? I'd like to think yep it's been done, forget about it and just keep it serviced... in theory it makes sense to assume both have been done obviously along with receipts for the waterpump, thermostat, coolant and oil changes at the time.

I'm easily made paranoid, I can't allow myself to waste loads of money on this for a few months bar routine servicing 🙂

Matt

Yes, they are two separate items. About 70% of the timing chain kits I sell are also sold with a balance chain kit, because it's false economy to change just the one while you are doing the work.

The items in our shop have a couple of extra images on them where you can see the difference and the locations of each chain

https://z22se.co.uk/shop/balance-chain-kit
https://z22se.co.uk/shop/z22se-timing-chain-kit

If you remove the cam cover, you can check for any slack in the timing chain

Full 60 minute video showing how to replace the chain which should also give you some idea of what to look for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpigBDiBVlE

TheDave

Just scooting through the vid now, helps my understanding, thanks Matt.

It's all guess work I suppose! Even if we can check the chain tension I guess it is never gonna reveal it's true age.