New engine at 51k 5 year old vectra!!

[steve1978]

hi all,

well my dog of a vectra has given me nothing but problems. i have done just 4k miles in 2 years. the car has a full service history.

it is a vectra c 2.2 direct elite 2006 (55) on saturday it wouldnt start, just key turn and tick tick tick trying to start. some times it made similar noises to what it would if it was flooded.

RAC came out and he checked everything, fuel pump was pumping, spark plugs where firing, he took the sparks out and cleared the cylindersbut he couldnt figure it out. he took the fuel pump off and checked that the cam shaft was turning and it was.

We took it to lookers who had a look today and have said that on initial inspection the technician is 99% sure that the cam chain has snapped.

if this is the case would the cam shaft still turn? The RAC guy was sure it was the timing.

any thoughts?

[DaveDempsey]

If the chain has snapped then the camshafts wont turn.

[steve1978]

The camshaft turns, 100%

i think the guy at lookers hasnt even checked.

[Sean-2.2Direct]

I have had problems recently with mine mate cracked cylinder head caused by a hydraulic lifter coming out rattling round smashing most componants in the rocker cover. Finally the lifter shot through the side of the engine cracking the head. WOOO HOOO £1000 lighter and its fixed done all the work with a friend thank god what a ****ing nightmare.

Never heard of this happening before

[steve1978]

I have called them and asked them to confirm that it is the cambelt. I am not going to give them the go ahead for a 4k repair if it is a simple timing issue.

In reality if they come back and say it needs a new engine which is what they have said already i will be either scrapping it (thats right scrapping a 51k 2006 car...) or buying a new engine from ebay and trying my hand at it, cant be that hard

Ps anyone know how to change an engine? wiki anyone?

[cont1204]

I have called them and asked them to confirm that it is the cambelt. I am not going to give them the go ahead for a 4k repair if it is a simple timing issue.

In reality if they come back and say it needs a new engine which is what they have said already i will be either scrapping it (thats right scrapping a 51k 2006 car...) or buying a new engine from ebay and trying my hand at it, cant be that hard

Ps anyone know how to change an engine? wiki anyone?

On the Wirral too so more than happy to lend a hand where I can

In theory it's not greatly difficult, in practice however it can be a nightmare.

[steve1978]

lol, great stuff!! i am in wallasey. the wife is 9 months preggers with first kid, just bought car seat on saturday and have no car to put it in!! my mum is going to run us to the hospital if needs be so at least i have transport in emergencies.

I have seen engines for like 600 quid on ebay but I dont know what parts would need replacing, truth is i would be happy just to get her running again. ideally i would swap the engine for a 1.9 diesel.... possible??

Just spoken with them now and they said that the initial diagnosis is based upon there feels like there is no compression. I dont really know what other things it could be with this fault, any suggestions?

[bigcarman79]

Could be the Timing chain has jumped! Possibly due to a worn tensioner or pulley? Bent valves = no compresion. Just a thought.

[tony-1977]

The camshaft turns, 100%

i think the guy at LOOKERS hasnt even checked.

Hope this is not the LOOKER's that ladyvec had her car a couple of months ago

If it is, they're USELESS!!

[steve1978]

which lookers was it...?? that sounds likely to be honest bigcarman. IF that is the case does it just need a new head?