Zafira 2.2 manual, several problems

Ben13

Hi all i have a holden zafira 2.2 (I dont know which engine it has and i dont know where its stamped on the engine)
That starts to smoke when you rev it. Its also really rough when you rev it, the engine feels like its holding back and then it will just accelerate fairly quickly.
Also has an oil leak which started after i changed the oil.

Also has possible cam chain issues.

I've never done anything more than oil and filter change in the past but i'd really like to fix this car myself with the help of you amazing bunch obviously :-D

vocky

it could well be the timing chain needs replacing and possibly the wrong type engine oil.

The z22se seems to prefer a thicker engine oil like; 30w10 / 35w10 / 40w10

Ben13

I put 10w40 in it when i did the oil change and it runs worse than it did and now has an oil leak.

I've been told the zafira is well known for pushing a valve through a piston when the timing chain stretches and jumps a tooth or 2.
Is this true?

When driving the car its really difficult to get the revs up high enough to setoff from standstill. If you push the accelerator down hard thr car feels like somethings tryin to pull it backwards for a few seconds then suddenly lets go and accelerates quickly.

Dave_Gilbert

sounds like the chain has stretched or jumped. there has been a few on here with similar problems.

is it defo a z22se engine?

Ben13

Hi Dave,
Just checked and it has Z22SE stamped on the side of the oil filter housing.

Would the chain stretching or jumping be the reason it runs so badly and smokes under heavy acceleration?

Matt

If the chain has jumped, the timing will be out on the engine which is why it's running really badly.

Ben13

Would that cause the blue smoke on revving/hard acceleration?

Dave_Gilbert

yeh and having no power, its common on these if there not maintained, whats the mileage? has it had chains that you know of? best person to talk to would be @[deleted] the master mechanic.

Ben13

Yeah i dont think its been very well looked after. Its sitting on 208,000 Kilometres (about 130,000 miles).
I will drop evocarlos a message. Thanks for the reply Dave :-)

Dave_Gilbert

he will see this because i tagged him in it (well i think thats how it works)
so he should be here this evening with his expertise. good luck

Ben13

😃

evocarlos

any lights on the dash ?
the hesitation could be a few things egr valve faulty,lambda sensor,dirty T/B
if the chains are then it would run like an underpowered engine from what people tell me after i did there chains it made a big improvement in power
where is the oil coming from the crank pulley ?

milo

evocarlos said:
any lights on the dash ?
the hesitation could be a few things egr valve faulty,lambda sensor,dirty T/B
if the chains are then it would run like an underpowered engine from what people tell me after i did there chains it made a big improvement in power
where is the oil coming from the crank pulley ?

Yep I've notice a big difference and my chains weren't that bad 🙂

Ben13

evocarlos said:
any lights on the dash ?
the hesitation could be a few things egr valve faulty,lambda sensor,dirty T/B
if the chains are then it would run like an underpowered engine from what people tell me after i did there chains it made a big improvement in power
where is the oil coming from the crank pulley ?

No lights on dash.
I pulled the egr valve off and gave it a good clean but it didnt make a difference
Whats a T/B?
Can tell where the oil is coming from. Will need to get her up on ramps again and have a good look.

DreiVier

T/B = throttle body 😉

Ben13

Thanks DreiVier.

The throttle body looks like its covered in oil so I'll pull that off and give it a good dose of carb cleaner today and see if that helps

Ben13

Finally got round to pulling the throttle body off. To say it was dirty is an understatement!
Took me hours to de gunk the throttle body. the pipe that goes to the block and the rubber pipe that runs between the rocker cover and the air box pipe were both totally blocked up.
After cleaning it all up you can now hear the throttle body opening and closing.

The car is still running the same as it was.
Its still blowing blueish smoke.
I took the oil filler cap off yesterday while the engine was running and it started blowing smoke out of there instead of the exhaust.
Any ideas? A friend of mine says its probably because its been stood for a while and just need a good run with some injector cleaner in it, is this true or is it something else?

I've tried the pedal test to see if theres any codes stored but it doesnt work on this car :-(

IDI_AMIN

I think that when your exhaust is blowing blue smoke it is a sign that the piston rings have worn
You should tell us the mileage and year of your car so we have a better idea of what work could possibly need done
If the car is over 10 years old or 100 000 miles then it is very likely it will need to have new timing chains fitted , if they have not been done by yourself and you do not know any history of engine work being done
So you could possibly need new timing chains ,new piston rings and a general clean up of the cylinder head to remove carbon from valves and ports in the head .
You can remove the rocker cover yourself to see if there is any slack in the chain , if there is then it is a definate sign you need chains replaced as the chain tensioner, the chains and the chain guide rails will not be functioning as they should and will be weakened through age .

Ben13

Hi Idi,
Its a 2001 and has done 208,000 kilometres (about 130,000 miles).
I have no idea on the history of the car but according to the seller it was stood for a couple of months before i bought it.
Thought i'd take a chance as i love the zafs.
If i take the rocker cover (metal version) off will i need a new gasket?
Are piston rings a big job?

IDI_AMIN

You do not need a new gasket for rocker cover unless the 1 you have is damaged
But with what you have told us about your car i would say the work mentioned would need done especially if you want to keep car
I would say it can be done over a weekend if you are competent enough and have all parts needed when you are ready