Aquashells
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2019
- Messages
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Hi everyone, I am re-posting this as i have done many more things since the last time i posted about the car and need some advice. I'm going to paste this link on almost all Opel club Facebook pages. Please bare with me as i'm not able to edit my previous post about this.
Car information
Car: Opel Astra CDX
Model: 2000'
Engine: 20sel
Kilometers: 170 000
Extra Info: Bought the car from a old gentleman that started the car once every now and then to get battery charged.
Car issues
* Sometimes starts at 2 swings but most of the time at 4 swings
* Rough idle
* Semi-misfire/Lean-misfire
* Intermittent power (at times as fast as a 1400 and at times an 1800 but never a 2L)
* Car would die for a split second, engine light comes on for 2 seconds and then all is well as if nothing happened (happens once in a blue moon).
* Random power at specific RPM's
Extra info: The rough idle and semi-misfire can sometimes hardly be noticed and at times it is more rough than ever. Seems to be less when car stood for the day in the sun. Car would have little power up to between 2000RPM and 2500RPM before it has much more power. Will sometimes have a flat spot between 3000RPM and 4000RPM.
Sensor info: No o2 sensor, no cam sensor, no knock sensor. Reluctor ring for crank sensor sits inside engine mounted tightly to crank – this rules out a chipped key or warn key on ring like on the 1600 motors.
What I have done
* Compression test: 100%
* Fuel pressure test: 100%
* Oil and water loss: None
* No smoke
* Timing: 100%
* Replaced crank sensor, MAP sensor, Intake temp sensor and coolant sensor.
* Did basic service: new plugs, filters, oil, etc.
* Flushed radiator: lots of rust, very dirty water – car's performance was much better.
* Replaced coil pack, plug wires and spark plugs (3 times and gapped them from 0.8mm to 0.65)
* Tested all sensor plugs with multi-meter, cleaned it but did not find an issue.
* No air leaks.
* Manually cleaned injectors and used lique molly as well as other fuel cleaners.
* Injector pulse and spark is constant without skipping a beat.
Kicker#1: When I replaced the coolant sensor, at first start and run the car ran like a bat out of hell – as a 2L should. After second start the car had same issues again. Tried 3 different makes and ended up with Bosch sensor. 2 out of the 3 times the car had fantastic performance at first run but back to normal after second start and run.
Kicker#2: Replaced intake temp sensor, car ran like a 1800 all the time and you could hardly feel the semi-misfire and rough idling engine. A week later it was back to normal with it's issues.
What the mechanics said
3 Mechanics told me they have no idea whats going on. These were all master mechanics. Without testing anything they would tell me what the issue is but after replacing “the issue” the car was the same. I then went to a mechanic that is well known for his great work and his son that is a Sensor and ECU specialist that tunes race cars. Computer test shows all sensors is working 100%. They also had no idea what the issue is. They did pick up that the crank sensor was showing odd figures but not enough to throw an engine light. I did replace the sensor. He suggested we clean the crank sensor reluctor ring, check for missing or broken teeth on reluctor ring and if there is still an issue; a new timing belt kit. Another mechanic said that it is possible that it might be a ECU fault.
What I have not done
* Changed TPS
* Changed timing kit
* Changed fuel pump
* Replaced fuel pressure regulator
Extra info from me: The car seems to push a little oil out of the tapped cover. This happens when I am at 2500RPM, let go of the gas which lets the butterfly close completely to which the compression from the crank breather pipe is forced out of the tapped covers gasket. I did remove the breather pipe, car ran better but still, mostly, has all the issues above.
It seems to be an ignition timing issue as at times it behaves that way. This can be the coolant sensor, the MAP sensor, Intake temp sensor or the crank sensor. It can be a timing belt or tentioner issue.
The end
Anyone with an issue like this before with a solution would be great. I need people to comment who knows their stuff when it comes to engines please?
Car information
Car: Opel Astra CDX
Model: 2000'
Engine: 20sel
Kilometers: 170 000
Extra Info: Bought the car from a old gentleman that started the car once every now and then to get battery charged.
Car issues
* Sometimes starts at 2 swings but most of the time at 4 swings
* Rough idle
* Semi-misfire/Lean-misfire
* Intermittent power (at times as fast as a 1400 and at times an 1800 but never a 2L)
* Car would die for a split second, engine light comes on for 2 seconds and then all is well as if nothing happened (happens once in a blue moon).
* Random power at specific RPM's
Extra info: The rough idle and semi-misfire can sometimes hardly be noticed and at times it is more rough than ever. Seems to be less when car stood for the day in the sun. Car would have little power up to between 2000RPM and 2500RPM before it has much more power. Will sometimes have a flat spot between 3000RPM and 4000RPM.
Sensor info: No o2 sensor, no cam sensor, no knock sensor. Reluctor ring for crank sensor sits inside engine mounted tightly to crank – this rules out a chipped key or warn key on ring like on the 1600 motors.
What I have done
* Compression test: 100%
* Fuel pressure test: 100%
* Oil and water loss: None
* No smoke
* Timing: 100%
* Replaced crank sensor, MAP sensor, Intake temp sensor and coolant sensor.
* Did basic service: new plugs, filters, oil, etc.
* Flushed radiator: lots of rust, very dirty water – car's performance was much better.
* Replaced coil pack, plug wires and spark plugs (3 times and gapped them from 0.8mm to 0.65)
* Tested all sensor plugs with multi-meter, cleaned it but did not find an issue.
* No air leaks.
* Manually cleaned injectors and used lique molly as well as other fuel cleaners.
* Injector pulse and spark is constant without skipping a beat.
Kicker#1: When I replaced the coolant sensor, at first start and run the car ran like a bat out of hell – as a 2L should. After second start the car had same issues again. Tried 3 different makes and ended up with Bosch sensor. 2 out of the 3 times the car had fantastic performance at first run but back to normal after second start and run.
Kicker#2: Replaced intake temp sensor, car ran like a 1800 all the time and you could hardly feel the semi-misfire and rough idling engine. A week later it was back to normal with it's issues.
What the mechanics said
3 Mechanics told me they have no idea whats going on. These were all master mechanics. Without testing anything they would tell me what the issue is but after replacing “the issue” the car was the same. I then went to a mechanic that is well known for his great work and his son that is a Sensor and ECU specialist that tunes race cars. Computer test shows all sensors is working 100%. They also had no idea what the issue is. They did pick up that the crank sensor was showing odd figures but not enough to throw an engine light. I did replace the sensor. He suggested we clean the crank sensor reluctor ring, check for missing or broken teeth on reluctor ring and if there is still an issue; a new timing belt kit. Another mechanic said that it is possible that it might be a ECU fault.
What I have not done
* Changed TPS
* Changed timing kit
* Changed fuel pump
* Replaced fuel pressure regulator
Extra info from me: The car seems to push a little oil out of the tapped cover. This happens when I am at 2500RPM, let go of the gas which lets the butterfly close completely to which the compression from the crank breather pipe is forced out of the tapped covers gasket. I did remove the breather pipe, car ran better but still, mostly, has all the issues above.
It seems to be an ignition timing issue as at times it behaves that way. This can be the coolant sensor, the MAP sensor, Intake temp sensor or the crank sensor. It can be a timing belt or tentioner issue.
The end
Anyone with an issue like this before with a solution would be great. I need people to comment who knows their stuff when it comes to engines please?
