Cracked Head - 2.2 VX220 :(

edbutler

Hi Guys, This certainly looks a great forum but would appreciate some feedback as im a little stressed!

had my VX220 for 7 days now... Thank goodness i recently bought a warranty (all my cars seem to have issues!) on it as ive literally just tried to have it serviced and they found a crack in the head - needless to say - gutted 🙁

Baically its a 40k service (6th year) so the plugs were getting done. Plug 4 iirc (the far left from looking at the block) when tightened back in started a mini torrent of water to leak out from what appears to be a hairline crack from just above the Spark Plug's thread. It dumped about 500ml of coolant and slowly came to a stop.

The garage that i took it to are actually a VAG specialist (from my VAG days!) whom are the only people id trust with a VX, and they are very professional. Im basically under the impression from them that a new head is needed which is understandable and i can trust. They also stated that the previous owner(s) of the car are likely to have been oblivious to the problem which was 'waiting' to happen. Ive seen a few other posts like my own where people have had the same issue!

Also im confident that without too much fuss the aftermarket warranty will also pay out for such a problem, but might they find it a little sus so soon after taking out a policy? Im sure the fracture wouldnt have been caused by heat though, any ideas how a carrectly serviced engine with less than 40k can do this, maybe a Manufacturing defect?

Anyone got any ideas what i should do next then? I need a new head i assume, should i try to get a flowed one while im here and get some CAMS in her - will probably save me money in the long run! Any suggestions would be greatful as im a little distraight atm! dunno..

Many Thanks, Ed

vocky

the reason for the head cracking has something to do with changing plugs dunno..

I'm not sure whether it's they were originally done up too tight or because they seize into the head and require extra force to undo, either way the head cracks due to the force applied to the spark plug 🙁

the head cannot be repaired and is scrap 🙁

now is the ideal time to fit a ported head and/or cams cheers..

but make sure you have a new timing chain fitted, even if you have the later type 🙂
I found the chain was slightly stretched even on my later spec chain at 38k, so I fitted a new cam chain kit :roll:

edbutler

vocky said:
the reason for the head cracking has something to do with changing plugs dunno..

I'm not sure whether it's they were originally done up too tight or because they seize into the head and require extra force to undo, either way the head cracks due to the force applied to the spark plug 🙁

the head cannot be repaired and is scrap 🙁

now is the ideal time to fit a ported head and/or cams cheers..

but make sure you have a new timing chain fitted, even if you have the later type 🙂
I found the chain was slightly stretched even on my later spec chain at 38k, so I fitted a new cam chain kit :roll:

Cheers Vocky, you really do seem to be the technical oracle on here with my limited experience, many thanks!! cheers..

Ill have to start looking into things then like part nos and that new modified oil jet. I seem to remember seeing that the chain kit is only around £70 isnt it?

Oh i wish this thing had a VAG engine, 4 years trouble free... Vauxhall and 7 days and its new head time - D'oh!! :shock:

EDIT: Anyone know where i can get some of the bits i require or shall i go straight to Vaux and Piper Cams etc.?

vocky

a new head is around £500 from the dealer, you will need all the valves etc from the original head transferring over :roll:

ebay sometimes has a secondhand head, but you could end up in the same boat 🙁

TMS sell ported new heads, maybe Courtenay too dunno..

go direct to piper cams, they will reprofile your cams for £235 inc vat + postage 🙂

cam chain kit is about £95, your engine will probably have the earlier kit due to it being six years old 🙁

Mark_Dj

I had the same problem on my 2.2 Astra Sri. One chamber was leaking in water from the plug hole. In the end a new head was bought at about £560 brand new from Vauxhall. Good luck getting yours sorted..

shunter

There's a z22se on ebay just now that might be useful dunno..

No connection with the seller, just found it when I was looking for something else.