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Deepdarkspirit

Hi,

I have posted in here before, about my Signum.
Basically I was given this car off my father, it had bad idle, cutting out and hesitation. I replaced the 3rd party MAF with the OEM one and that fixed the bad idle, but hesitation was still there. I switched from supermarket fuel to a higher octane one.After about half an hour of driving the car drastically improved to the point where it actually felt like I was driving a 2.2 rather than a 1 litre.

But Sunday night I was driving about no issues at all, no noises other than my front suspension which is on it's way out.

Parked the car outside my house, my father tried to start it the next day and said soon as the key was released the engine died. I then tried later and it sounds like the starter motor is going but the engine is not cranking. I phoned Green Flag who came out, he asked me to try start it.

He instantly said "I don't even need to lift the bonnet to tell you, I'm sorry your timing chain has gone." he was literally there for 5 mins if that. I think he was just being lazy.

The battery is reading 12.3v so I don't know if the battery is dud or what, I have had trouble with bad revs due to a low battery.

Any ideas anyone?

20vt

Same thing happened to my Z22YH

1 of my guide rails for the chain snapped and the chain jumped a few teeth.

misterY

Sounds like your chain snapped.

Dave_Gilbert

Get the rocker cover off n you will see.

I hope not.

Deepdarkspirit

I have my friend coming over on saturday, to help me have a look for damage to valves etc, we will check at the same time, until then don't attempt to start it I presume, been quoted £400-£600 to have the timing chain changed.

HarleyPete

That's a good price for parts and labour. I had mine done by Evocarlos on here, a top bloke and well worth contacting if your mate hasn't done it before. He's done loads and mine was done in no time at all.

evocarlos

with the z22yh if the timing is out by 2 or more links the cam sensor will not allow the engine to fire so you get a no start situation
the solution is to get the main chain done with a new kit and then the timing will be in the right place

but the 1st palce to start is as dave said take the rocker cover off if the chain is intact you have better odd's
also shine a light down the front edge of the chain and see if the front guide is complete
to see if there is bent valves it would be obvious as the rockers will be removable from under the cam lobes or even already out of place

Deepdarkspirit

So I've had the car in the garage (didn't have the time to take the rocker cover off), compression test results came back, Cylinder 1, 3 and 4 120psi, Cylinder 2 40 psi. They also managed to get the car started but then left it for a few hours it wouldn't start. Surely if they suspected the timing chain, they shouldn't of started it.

They've recommended that I budget for £1200, for valves, tensioner, guides, sprokets, timing chain, balance chain, head skim, bolts and 7 hours labour. I'm contemplating this, since the car only has 83,430 Miles on also I really love this car and it has a lot of sentimental value.

I'm even thinking of doing a lot of the work myself with the help of friends and taking a week off work to do it, what do you guys recommend?

Even if it'd be possible to swap the Z22YH for a Z28NET if that's possible. I have seen some Z22YHs with 41 - 50k for about £600

Dave_Gilbert

Did they say why it was down on compression?

Bent valve?
Rings?

Deepdarkspirit

They said either inlet valves or exhaust valves.

But they're not 100% sure until they take the head off.

Dave_Gilbert

Whats the problem with the valves?

I would talk to @[deleted] he loves head

Deepdarkspirit

They didn't say, I asked, they said they could be bent, stuck, anything.

Dave_Gilbert

I would defo have a word with @[deleted]

KevinH

@[deleted] do you know if both 'dry' &''wet' compression tests were carried out ?

Deepdarkspirit

KevinH said:
@[deleted] do you know if both 'dry' &''wet' compression tests were carried out ?

Yeah result was the same on both.

Deepdarkspirit

Dave Gilbert said:
I would defo have a word with @[deleted]

I'll PM him tomorrow

evocarlos

sorry was playing on ebay
i personally would check the chain and cam timing the z22yh are a pain in the arse when the chain is stretched or it has jumped they wont start and the last on i saw was 3 full links out on the inlet cam meaning it may not of been closing the valves to make compression
if its not that then there would be bent valves and i could sort the head out at a cost for you 🙂

Deepdarkspirit

Update: got the car back Saturday, its starting and running exactly how it was previously. Turns out the reason it wouldn't start was that it was badly flooded. But it helped me find out why the car is running low on power. Now i can start solving the issue. I imagine its going to cost a lot of money, and I'll be coming to you guys for help! Learnt so much about my car thanks to you guys!