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Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 Z18XE 2001 - Poor performance when cold, erratic idle, runs lean - Fixed #

Posted by James Rushforth on February 24, 2009, 7:19 pm

Year of Manufacture *: 2001
Engine Code or Type *: Z18XE

Help needed with this one please, becomming a real pain.
Vectra Z18XE poor performance, especially from cold, though not much better when warm.
Has erratic idle, and is running very lean.
Front O2 is stuck at 20mv, occasionally dropping to 0mv, and occasionally 39mv. If you jab the throttle it reads around 750mv for a split second, of if you spray carb cleaner in the intake it does the same, hence i dont thing the sensor is faulty, more it is giving a true lean reading!
Vehicle has had a new airflow sensor, and a replacement ecu has been tried but still the same.
No air leaks apparent at all.
Only fault codes are for Lean exhaust, and incorrect o2 switching.
Any help or experience greatly appreciated.

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by David Davies <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT5218' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2009, 8:11 pm, in reply to "Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
David Davies

It is not unknown for the brake servo to fail on this model.Try blanking off servo vacuum pipe and watch O2 sensor response.

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by James <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT1400' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2009, 8:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
James Rushforth

Have just been doing a bit of online research and a few people had a servo problem. Brakes appear to be fine though, would have expected them to feel different?
Will check tomorrow.

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by brian cowan <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT5585' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2009, 9:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
Brian Cowan

Just had Astra in with same engine code and very similar symptoms and code, ours turned out to be air flow meter. Have you fitted a genuine unit as there is some crap out there that could cause you to chase your tail.
brian

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by James <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT1400' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2009, 10:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
James Rushforth

Yes, genuine fitted.

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by Kevin Apps <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT2589' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 24, 2009, 11:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
Kevin Apps

James
Brakes will feel fine. Is that engine code correct or is it a xe1
Kev.

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by James <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT1400' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2009, 7:59 am, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
James Rushforth

Pretty sure its right, its the engine with no egr.

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by John Ritchie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT2638' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2009, 8:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
John Ritchie

Hi James , i would go with brake servo leak also, did you notice any change when air flow meter disconnected?

Regards
John

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by James Rushforth <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT1400' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2009, 10:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
James Rushforth

Tried plugging servo pipe but made no difference.at all.
Vehicle still idle's the same with air flow meter unplugged.
Definately due to running lean, as if i give it a sniff of carb cleaner into the intake it picks up and runs lovely for a good few seconds.
Just cannot find an air leak at all, its very strange!

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by John Ritchie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT2638' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2009, 10:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
John Ritchie

Breather pipes clear into throttle body?, no splits in breather hoses or induction hoses?
Regards
John

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by James Rushforth <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT1400' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2009, 10:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
James Rushforth

All hoses clear and intact. Had a real good spray round with carb cleaner to try identify a leak, but nothing!
Its times like these i feel i should invest in a smoke tester!

Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance.

Posted by Kevin Apps <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/ukautotalk4/info/user=UKAT2589' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 25, 2009, 11:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
Kevin Apps

James
It,s late So i,m most likely Pi**ed, but check the achive,s re lambda,s
Kev.

Fixed #

Posted by James Rushforth on February 27, 2009, 9:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Vauxhall Vectra, running lean, poor performance."
Message modified by board administrator February 28, 2009, 11:50 am

After a further 3 hours of testing and head scratching i decided i'd try a second air flow meter, and vehicle ran perfect. 1st was a genuine GM part, 2nd sourced through local motor factors. Could have gone bananas but was so pleased to get a result with this one!

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