Vectra 2.2 SRi wont start

daviek28

Went out one day to local shop, (just around corner) petrol was low 4miles on screen, engine was a bit chuggy but i put it down to not been driven for 4 days, stopped engine when i went in shop, started car and everything was fine drove home, parked on the drive, next day car wouldnt start put a can of petrol in incase it was that, and still nothing, smoke coming from the rocker cover when trying to start, any ideas? video below

Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p3EhYCk6ho

evocarlos

that sounds to be spinning to fast from the starter ?
are the sparkplugs in ?
mine was like this a bit slower to crank

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxRj_gheiW8

daviek28

Yes everything is as it was the day I parked it, next day was like that, there is smoke coming from rocker cover towards top of video, a friend mentioned timing chain, but then another friend said I would have known if the timing chain had snapped, A frontera I had was really rattling for months until the timing chain came thru the bonnet

evocarlos

you could always remove the rocker cover and check for presence of the chain

daviek28

I'm gonna have a look today sometime, thanks

evocarlos

let us know what you find and a pic 🙂

daviek28

Timing chain is there, and everything turns ok, there is a bit of play in it im uploading a video to you tube

daviek28

here is the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6iI1iCwEKc

flatbeat

I would check the timing has not jumped
As said before sounds like you got no compression

flatbeat

Sounds daft but you have check for a spark

IDI_AMIN

It does sound to me also like there is no compression ,A problem i encountered on a corsa , turned out chain had jumped causing bent valves (worst case scenario) .
Chain looks a little slack also , which would lead me to suggest maybe the tensioner is not functioning 100% as it should .
The chain guide at the top looks quite discoloured which comes with age . You should let us know mileage and year this would give everyone a clear idea
It is very likely time for new chains to be fitted and if you are lucky you have no bent valves. The smoke coming from the rocker cover does not look too good something i have never experienced
You could remove the inlet manifold to give you an idea how the valves look without removing the head

evocarlos

daviek28 said:
Timing chain is there, and everything turns ok, there is a bit of play in it im uploading a video to you tube

yep bent valves you can see the rocker arm floating about

daviek28

what you reckon best way of fixing thanx

flatbeat

If it has bent valves it's a new or recon head
Or if you can find a good engine
Get new chains fitted and away you go

daviek28

do you know how much new or recon heads go for, engine has always been quiet and gave no warning this was gonna happen, Frontera I had was noisy for months before chain went.

evocarlos

depends how much damage there is if its got bent valves on the inlet side then the valve guides will be cracked and will need replacing
i could repair the head if you bring it to me 🙂 or you could try and get a replacement
also how many roller rockers are there floating about in the top ?

daviek28

Hi they are all off on inlet side and one of the rollers is snapped

evocarlos

its not unheard of to have 8 bent inlet valves ive seen it 2 or 3 times now
https://z22se.co.uk/threads/cam-chain-fitted-day-1-part-1-take-2.25378/

flatbeat

As said that can happen
But on the good side it's fixable
And it will soon be up and running

Timbo

Check the cam bearings.

I had oil starvation to the exhaust cam, seized on switch off (was squeaking), then wouldn't start - spinning over very fast. turned out the exh timing gear lugs had chewed off and timing had gone to pot. S/H cyl head (rebuilt), chains etc. All running better than ever. Zaf Z22se auto. (Thanks to Carl and others for info on here, without which I might not have attempted it) 🙂
Next job is to replace the rear disc backplates - one has rotted off!