2004 Vectra C 2.2i Direct SRi - Z22YH: Cam Chain Noise?

Palmo

Hi guys, I've been lurking in the background for a while but this is my first post. I'm hoping someone can help with a few queries I have.

BACKGROUND:
My wife has a 2004 Vectra C 2.2i Direct SRi fitted with the Z22YH engine. The car has done 59K miles with FVSH. We bought this approx. 4 months ago. More recently I have noticed that on cold start-up's the engine makes a 'ticking' noise which lasts from 1 to 5 seconds. This noise began infrequently, e.g. once every other week, then that became once a week, and now most days, although not all. I believe if the car has been on a longish run the day before (50+ motorway miles) it won't do it. The car does approx. 20 miles per day of mixed urban (bumper to bumper queuing) followed by 10 miles or so of Motorways, so does actually get a decent run most days. The engine is then silent at all other times and never misses a beat.

QUESTIONS:
1. Does this noise sound like it is Cam Chain related? I didn't think there were known problems with Cam Chains on this engine (z22yh)?

**2. **I can get the Cam Chains replaced for the price of the parts (+ plus a few pints) by a mate who is a vx technician (who recons it will be chain related as that is the only weak point on all these engines inc. the z22yh - even when fitted with the modified tensioner, oil jet's etc. which this engine will have anyway). Would everyone recommend I get this done for piece of mind?

**3. **What exactly is the differences between the z22se & z22yh? Is it the same block with cylinder head modifications?

vocky

it's basically a very similar engine, the head is a different casting.

the timing chains should be the same.

get it changed for peace of mind, as your mate is a vx tech and if he says it's the chain......

Palmo

vocky said:
it's basically a very similar engine, the head is a different casting.

the timing chains should be the same.

get it changed for peace of mind, as your mate is a vx tech and if he says it's the chain......

Thanks for the quick response. Think I will get it changed for the peace of mind factor. We have a 1 year old daughter and I'm not always around when my wife is out and about and so if I can avoid a breakdown (which is potentially very £xxx aswell) then I think I will have it changed.

Main reason for asking questions on here was to see if anyone knows if the problem is as wide spread on this engine as with the earlier z22se engines.

My mate who is the vx technician has never actually heard the noise himself as this only happens when cold for a few seconds and he lives a distance from where I now live and so is never around when its started from cold. He is simply stating what the 'obvious' cause could be and willing to do me a favour.

What is worrying me is that I've read a number of threads on here where people have had their Cam Chains replaced only for the noise on start up to return several months later. I've also seen references to hydraulic tappets possibly being the culprit? Just don't want to shell out on the wrong thing I guess.

Are these engines generally tough otherwise?

vocky

I've not heard of a z22yh engine ever having an issue with the chain, just the z22se engined vecC.

it could well be the hydraulic lifters, these tend to take rather a long while to go and so not an urgent issue.

best bet is get your mate to have a listen, not sure on easiest way to do that notsure.gif

Palmo

Thanks for another quick response.

Any other z22yh (2.2 Direct) owners on here had anysimilar (Cam Chain) problems?

vocky

not heard of any since the site started dunno..

might be worth checking out www.vectra-c.com cheers..

rushy

The only problem ive heard about the yh on vectra-c.com is the fuel pump giving up. It seams to be a very reliable engine. Its been in the signum since launch but only in the vec since 2004/5 so theres a few on there with some miles under the bonnet.

Sjdickso

I can remember reading on here some one had a Vec C and had the chain swapped, but i can not find the thread, sorry.

Sjdickso

Found it

https://z22se.co.uk/viewtopic. ... &&start=25

this thread starting the 6 post down.

vocky

that's a z22se engine rather than the later z22yh 🙂

Sjdickso

Right sorry my mistake.

Palmo

Had chains & tensioner changed yesterday. The car seems fine, started today without any noise. I suppose only time will tell now if that has cured it. There didn't appear to be anything 'obviously' wrong with the chains / tensioner but I believe theses were of the later style anyway as expected. According to my mate (vx technician) he's replaced more than a few that have the later style jet / tensioner on that have become worn, although he does agree they are a much improved design.

On another note, the car runs fine but does have a very slight 'flat spot' @ around 5k rpm. Up to 5k rpm and above 5.5k rpm it's fine. The car is standard except for a K&N panel filter and removed lower airbox pipe. I've always run the car on V-Power petrol also. Any ideas?

vocky

remove the precat cheers..

Palmo

vocky said:
remove the precat cheers..

Does this make 'much' difference? Also, where is the precat? Is it the thick part of the pipe on the downpipe from the manifold? Roughly how much are 'decat pipes' and who make them?

vocky

the precat robs between 5 and 8 bhp :shock:

it's fitted at the top of the downpipe, just below the exhaust manifold, check first that there is a main cat underneath the car (as later models had the main cat at the exhaust manifold)

there are a few threads showing the precat removal and some good pics too 🙂

Fenris

Palmo said:
Thanks for another quick response.

Any other z22yh (2.2 Direct) owners on here had anysimilar (Cam Chain) problems?

Yes. I have a 53 plate (end Sep 2003) Signum 2.2 Direct, and my timing chain suddenly went noisy and rattly at about 60,500 miles, out of warranty by 10 months and just over the 60k limit. The engine was then running a bit roughly and had a cyclic vibration. No power and lumpy idle.

Eventually Vx coughed for 30% of the bill, it turned out the chain was stretched and it seems that the balance shafts had jumped a tooth on the chain because the chain tension was now too low.

All fixed, but it cost me 400 quid odd.

Brian