Opel Z22YH engine
Content
The Opel Z22YH internal combustion engine is a fairly powerful engine that can withstand heavy loads. It was released by Opel to replace the obsolete, in their opinion, internal combustion engine. However, the predecessor is still in use, but the Z22YH suffered a sadder fate.
Engine description
The Opel Z22YH engine was launched in 2002 based on the Z22SE. The basic version has not improved much, but some changes have been made. Including:
- New crankshaft and new pistons.
- Compression ratio increased from 9,5 to 12.
- Improved cylinder head with direct injection.
- Timing chain is used.
Otherwise, there were almost no changes. All dimensions, functions have been fully preserved. The motor did not live long, already in 2008 its production and official use was stopped. Now it can be found on the most popular 10-15-year-old cars, but no one wants to put it on a new car.
This is a simple hard worker with a finite resource of use. You can take care of it and stretch its lifespan, but serious repairs will already be unprofitable. Despite the good power, it is better to buy a newer model.
Technical specifications
The approximate engine life according to the official version is about 200-250 thousand km. However, drivers claim that the manufacturer relies on the resource of the timing chain, and the Opel Z22YH motor itself can withstand 2-2,5 times more.
Technical characteristics of the Opel Z22YH engine
| Features | Indicators |
|---|---|
| Displacement, sm3 | 2198 |
| Maximum power, hp | 150-155 |
| Max RPM | 6800 |
| Type of fuel | Gasoline AI-95 |
| Fuel consumption per 100 km (l) | 7,9-8,6 |
| Supply system | injector |
| engine's type | Inline |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves in the cylinder | 4 |
| Cylinder material | aluminum |
| Maximum torque, N * m | 220 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 86 |
| Compression ratio | 12 |
| Supercharger | No |
| Environmental norm | Euro-4 |
| Oil consumption, g/1000 km | 550 |
| Type of oil | 5W-30 |
| 5W-40 | |
| Engine oil volume, l | 5 |
| Timing scheme | DOHC |
| Management system | Simtec 81 |
| Additional Information | Direct fuel injection |
The engine number is located quite conveniently - on a flat area measuring 5 by 1,5 cm under the oil filter. The data is embossed by the dot method and directed along the course of the car.
Pros and cons of the engine
Advantages of Opel Z22YH:
- Reliable powerful motor, withstands heavy loads.
- Easily repaired.
- Sufficiently low fuel consumption for such indicators.
- Direct injection contributes to fuel economy.
Disadvantages of Opel Z22YH:
- With the wrong selection of oil (or low-quality filling), the timing chain will have to be changed several times more often.
- In the first models (since 2002), there is an error in the design of the tensioner, which is why the timing chain breaks more often.
- There are almost no spare parts, you need to look for car disassembly.
- New ones are no longer produced, major repairs can cost a pretty penny.
- You need to be very careful about the choice of fuel and oil, otherwise the repair will be expensive.
Typical failures of Opel Z22YH:
- Strong vibrations, rumble (diesel engine). Timing chain stretched. A cheaper and easier option is to replace it. A more reliable option is to replace it along with the balance shaft chain and related small things. Then this problem will not arise for a long time.
- High fuel consumption, harder to start the engine. The owner ignored or did not include cleaning the intake manifold in regular maintenance. As a result of the accumulation of dirt, swirl flaps were given a "wedge". At the beginning of the problem, it is enough to clean the collector, if everything is running, change the thrust along with the dampers.
- Turnovers are not higher than 3000 rpm. If the speed does not want to rise, the car is reluctant to drive, difficulties with acceleration. Most likely, low-quality fuel was used. Now it is required to replace the injection pump (fuel pump) due to premature "death".
A good, reliable motor that is easy to repair. However, it is not so easy to find spare parts for it, you have to select analogues from more fortunate representatives of the line.
The Opel Z22YH ICE was discontinued in 2008, so there is a problem with original spare parts.
Cars on which the engine was installed
Cars with internal combustion engines Opel Z22YH were officially sold both in Europe and in Russia. After the termination of the use of this motor on some models, no replacements were found for them, they were simply excluded from the list of configurations.
| Model | A type | Generation | Years of issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Vectra (Europe) | Sedan | 3-e | February 2002-November 2005 |
| hatchback | February 2002-August 2005 | ||
| Universal | February 2002-August 2005 | ||
| Sedan (restyling) | June 2005-July 2008 | ||
| Hatchback (restyling) | June 2005-July 2008 | ||
| Wagon (restyling) | June 2005-July 2008 | ||
| Opel Vectra (Russia) | Universal | 3-e | February 2002-December 2005 |
| hatchback | February 2002-March 2006 | ||
| Sedan (restyling) | June 2005-December 2008 | ||
| Hatchback (restyling) | June 2005-December 2008 | ||
| Wagon (restyling) | June 2005-December 2008 | ||
| Opel Zafira | Minivan | 2-e | July 2005-January 2008 |
| Restyling | December 2007-November 2004 | ||
Additional Information
Unfortunately, the Opel Z22YH is made in such a way that you cannot subject it to strong tuning. The unit requires careful attitude and care, then it will serve for a long time and faithfully. But improvements can be made on it at least:
- Remove catalyst.
- Perform chip tuning.
Changes will not cost so much, and power will rise to 160-165 hp. (for 10 points). Due to the peculiarities of the engine, no more tuning makes sense - either a small result, or too high expenses.
When choosing an oil, do not pay attention to the original version. For all its inflated cost, the GM dexos1 is too thin for this motor and quickly starts to go away.
You should choose among low-ash medium-priced products that have proven themselves in the market. There are quite a few of them, for example, Wolf 5-30 C3, Comma GML5L. These are high-quality oils that are officially imported by reputable companies. The risk of running into a fake is reduced to a minimum.
Engine swap
In this regard, the Opel Z22YH unit is quite problematic. It is very difficult to find an engine that can adequately replace it, especially if the question is to increase power. And when such an engine is found, then the owner will face many problems when implementing the plan:
- Search for a qualified master (and there are few who understand the nuances).
- Purchase and installation of new fixtures.
- Binding the internal combustion engine to the on-board computer, you may need to reconfigure the "brains".
- Buy a new cooling system and exhaust.
These are just the main problems that can be encountered on the way of a good capacity seeker. And the indicator is 150-155 hp. not every available engine will shut down.
Much easier for those who are looking for a replacement for the "dead" Opel Z22YH. Overhaul in most cases is absolutely unprofitable, the engine simply does not live long enough to recoup the costs.
Therefore, the easiest way is to replace it with its predecessor - Z22SE. The system will have to make a minimum of changes. It is possible to revise the wiring and reflash the on-board computer. Otherwise, all the parameters and requirements for related elements are practically the same.
Purchase of a contract engine
At first glance, there are enough offers for the sale of Opel Z22YH contract engines. However, upon consideration of each proposal, it turns out that the motors are either sold long ago (and the ads are hanging), or they are with some kind of defect. That is, you will have to spend time, effort and nerves searching for a contract Opel Z22YH.
Even among professional companies with an impeccable reputation, it is not always possible to find such an engine. A separate option is to ask to find it on order, but there are also few chances. A good engine without flaws, which was used in sparing conditions and with regular technical inspection for no more than 5 years, will cost about $ 900-1000
For example, an absolutely complete engine with all attachments (generator, power steering, intake manifold, ignition coil, air conditioning pump) will cost about $760-770. Moreover, due to the rarity of the engine, the year of manufacture does not affect the price at all, but it has been used for at least 7 years. The same working motor without attachments will cost 660-670 dollars.
Experts recommend choosing the first option, especially if the old version has been used for a long time or a less powerful engine used to be.
When swapping, you will have to buy some more parts, so it's better to save money.
You can buy an engine in a slightly shabby condition, after 8 or more years of operation. It will cost 620-630 dollars. And there are unique offers of the Opel Z22YH ICE in almost perfect condition, with minimal mileage. Only the most stubborn adherents of this model can afford such an engine, because the average cost is from 1200 to 1500 dollars.
Recommendations for owners of cars with engines
Owners of cars with Opel Z22YH say that not everything is as sad as official sources say. For example, the constant problems with the timing chains and balancing shafts (which are considered the main trouble of the internal combustion engine) are mostly far-fetched. They overtake only those owners who ignore regular technical inspections and general car care.
The unit warns even the most careless driver long before the appearance of trouble. It starts to “diesel” on a cold engine and disappears when warmed up, it’s hard to start. Ignoring the hints leads to a broken circuit and serious repairs.
Low-quality gasoline and oil are dangerous for all engines, fans of the Opel Z22YH specify. You just need to fill in fuel only at proven gas stations, then everything will be fine. And a large amount of detergent additives will kill any internal combustion engine.
In general, contrary to the opinion of Opel, users of the Opel Z22YH engine in Russia do not consider all its shortcomings to be so critical. They appreciate an unpretentious and hardy engine, and diligently take care of it. They are frustrated only by the inability to purchase new parts for a major overhaul.
Conclusion: It would be most reasonable to use the Opel Z22YH engine up to about ¾ of the resource, and then change the car to a variant with a newer engine.
With regular care and maintenance, the resource will be 400-600 thousand kilometers. Some lucky ones reached almost a million.
Overhaul does not make sense, to assemble one from two is too expensive. Carry out ongoing minor repairs and wait for the opportunity to buy something modern. ICE maintenance is minimal, but it is better to go through it every 20-30 thousand km. Then the motor will remain in good condition for a long time.
