Vectra 2.2 Direct Issues

**Gaji** · 20th March 2023, 14:16

Hi

I have a Vectra 2.2 direct 2007, Z22YH? 198k!

Various issues over the last year; New battery, both Fuel pumps, head gasket, brakes, oil filter, she's slowly dying I know, all repaired by me..im not a mechanic but dont mind having a go!

1. Still have an oil leak, I think its the oil cooler. There's no excessive oil on floor, a few drops after parking so is obviously leaking whilst im moving. Getting through gallons of oil each week!

Is there a guide on how 2 fix, or a thread i can follow, just paid today to get access to How2 section. I have searched but can't find a guide/thread and am now stuck. <sry if there is one!>
Local garages round here are useless, am in Malvern (in the sticks), some don't even know if it has a cooler!?
Am 'figuring' i take all that stuff at the front of engine off (left of oil filter), there's the manifold underneath, and think the oil cooler is under there, certainly that where the oil is leaking/collating .. looks like a nightmare job? So it could be the gaskets or the oil cooler itself..

2. Also have an intermittent key problem, sometimes fob wont open car, or car won't start then will on 2nd attempt. If it doesn't start after second time, I have to sometimes; remove key then re-insert and it starts, maybe lock and unlock several times then it goes. done new batteries but no good. Car turns but not fires. When it does start, initially i do get excessive smoke out the exhaust. Sometimes the orange car'n'spanner light comes on after starting trouble .. sometimes it doesn't.

Cheers in advance and any help, links greatly appreciated.
Gaji

**northpole** · 21st March 2023, 08:48

Hello, welcome to the club. TIP: introduce yourself in the appropriate topic, and don't forget to put up picture of your car or you'll soon be spammed for not having provided a picture...

as for your questions:
1- can't give you a guide other than tell you these engines usually after headgasket problems, the oil cooler leaks, because it has warped from the excessive heat... only one solution, replace the oilcooler and the gasket. Make sure the surfaces are clean before sealing it all up or you'll be stuck with the same leak or worse.

2- clean the following cable connectors: ABS and ECU.. I had the same on my DTI and found that the problem came from the ground pin on the ECU connector... the reason why i say clean the ABS connector too is because it's a junction connection to the ECU. after cleaning both on mine the car starts properly again.

**Gaji** · 22nd March 2023, 00:07

Thanks for the reply i'll give your suggestions a go.

**Gaji** · 26th March 2023, 19:01

I have sprayed the leads with electrical cleaner and seems to be no issues so far, seems to start every time.

I'm having great trouble finding the oil cooler for this car. All websites I've tried either don't have it or don't stock it, none on ebay either. My local autospares cant even find it using my reg indicating there isn't one ? Anyone know of where i can get one or the part number.

Chhers

**Gaji** · 27th March 2023, 11:49

There isn't an oil cooler on this engine so thats not leaking nor will need replacing due to warping from valve seal gasket failure and replacement of.
Gonna have to leave it with the garage to identify.
Might keep this thread updated..

**northpole** · 27th March 2023, 13:06

Originally Posted by Gaji

There isn't an oil cooler on this engine so thats not leaking nor will need replacing due to warping from valve seal gasket failure and replacement of.
Gonna have to leave it with the garage to identify.
Might keep this thread updated..

yes I generalized as the Ecotec engines are renowned for warping the oil coolers when overheating... but after some checking on parts catalogues I came to the same conclusion: your engine does not have an oil cooler.

where the leak is coming from could be from the more common places but if it's coming out of the venthole from the gearbox... it probably is the rear crankshaft oil seal that needs replacing. but best to have a garage find where the leak is coming from.. we can only guess.

**Gaji** · 28th March 2023, 08:49

Thanks. Got put onto a mech who was a Vauxhall man for 20 years. As well as what you mentioned it could also be the cylinder head gasket, rings blowing.
However he doesn't want to touch it, even to just diagnose the problem ..he makes more money doing MOTs and would cost a fair bit to narrow down the issue .. apparently.. I don't really trust the other 3 garages I've been to as they didn't know it didn't have an oil cooler, told me other various things that turned out to be nonsense, one didn't know where the socket to plug in computer was.
Vauxhall mech's parting advice was scrap it or keep chucking in oil till it dies. I have no garage to do the work in and only a handful of tools so think its the old boy's time!
The car is still not starting and key fob still fails, thats after spraying with electrical cleaner.
I've renewed all the brakes in the last 2 weeks, so at least i can stop quick and get out as it catches fire, with a bit of luck.
Cheers for all the advice northpole.

**horaa** · 28th March 2023, 10:46

If you wanna do more repairs or check things Mr. Haynes says hello. There's also a online workshop manual but it's a bit harder to fiddle with, there's also autodata pc soft for more detailed procedures(in case some are missing and better pics) that is sponsored by the pirates. There are more manuals aswell, russian and polish but i had to delete them as i couldn't understand anything other than some pics.
Meanwhile, you can find Mr Haynes here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Y-...usp=share_link

**Gaji** · 28th March 2023, 11:07

Originally Posted by horaa

If you wanna do more repairs or check things Mr. Haynes says hello. There's also a online workshop manual but it's a bit harder to fiddle with, there's also autodata pc soft for more detailed procedures(in case some are missing and better pics) that is sponsored by the pirates. There are more manuals aswell, russian and polish but i had to delete them as i couldn't understand anything other than some pics.
Meanwhile, you can find Mr Haynes here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Y-...usp=share_link

Thanks Horaa, ill have a look in that and see if i fancy taking it on! also useful as a ref as it slowly dies!

Appreciate the link.

**northpole** · 30th March 2023, 08:09

the non starting problem is back? make sure you clean the pins and the connectors with a small wire brush while using the cleaner... sometimes the pins are covered in an invisible layer of grease/corrosion and just spraying it doesn't do the trick.. it needs some rubbing to get it off.. if you can't find a small enough wire-brush use cotton-buds to clean the lot...