Opel Frontera UE. Manual - part 750

ENGINE MECHANICAL (X22SE 2.2L)

6A–9

Engine Lacks Power

Condition

Possible cause

Correction

Trouble in fuel system

Fuel Pressure Control Valve not 
working normally

Replace

Fuel injector clogged

Clean or replace

Fuel pipe clogged

Clean

Fuel filter clogged or fouled

Replace

Fuel pump drive circuit not working 
normally

Correct or replace

Fuel tank not sufficiently breathing 
due to clogged Evaporative 
Emission Control System  circuit

Clean or replace

Water in fuel system

Clean

Inferior quality fuel in fuel system

Use fuel of specified octane rating

Engine Control Module supplied 
poor voltage

Correct circuit

Throttle Position Sensor cable 
disconnected or broken

Correct or replace

Throttle Position Sensor defective

Replace

Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor 
not working normally

Replace

Intake Air Temperature Sensor not 
working normally

Replace

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 
circuit open or shorted

Correct or replace

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 
defective

Replace

Engine Control Module defective

Replace

Trouble in intake or exhaust system

Air Cleaner Filter clogged

Replace filter element

Air duct kinked or flattened

Correct or replace

Ignition failure

————

Refer to Hard Start Troubleshooting 
Guide

Heat range of spark plug inadequate

Install spark plugs of adequate heat 
range

Electronic Ignition System with 
module

Replace

6A–10

ENGINE MECHANICAL (X22SE 2.2L)

Engine Noisy

Abnormal engine noise often consists of various noises 
originating in rotating parts, sliding parts and other 

moving parts of the engine. It is, therefore, advisable to 
locate the source of noise systematically.

Engine overheating

Level of Engine Coolant too low

Replenish

Thermo switch or fan motor 
defective

Replace

Thermostat defective

Replace

Engine Coolant pump defective

Correct or replace

Radiator clogged

Clean or replace

Radiator filler cap defective

Replace

Level of oil in engine crankcase too 
low or wrong oil in engine

Change or replenish

Resistance in exhaust system 
increased

Clean exhaust system or replace 
defective parts

Throttle Position Sensor adjustment 
incorrect

Adjust Wide Open Throttle switch 
setting

Throttle Position Sensor circuit open 
or shorted

Correct or replace

Cylinder head gasket damaged

Replace

Engine overcooling

Thermostat defective

Replace (Use a thermostat set to 
open at 92

°

C (197.6

°

F))

Engine lacks compression

————

Refer to Hard Start

Others

Tire inflation pressure abnormal

Adjust to recommend pressures

Brake drag

Adjust

Clutch slipping

Adjust or replace

Level of oil in engine crankcase too 
high

Correct level of engine oil

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve 
defective

Replace

Condition

Possible cause

Correction

Condition

Possible cause

Correction

Noise from crank journals or from 
crank bearings
(Faulty crank journals and crank 
bearings usually make dull noise 
that becomes more evident when 
accelerating)

Oil clearance increased due to worn 
crank journals or crank bearings

Replace crank bearings and 
crankshaft or regrind crankshaft and 
install the over size bearing

Crankshaft out of round

Replace crank bearings and 
crankshaft or regrind crankshaft and 
install the over size bearing

Crank bearing seized

Crank bearing seized Replace crank 
bearings and crankshaft or regrind 
crankshaft and install the over size 
bearing

ENGINE MECHANICAL (X22SE 2.2L)

6A–11

Troubleshooting Procedure

Short out each spark plug in sequence using insulated 
spark plug wire removers. Locate cylinder with defective 
bearing by listening for abnormal noise that stops when 
spark plug is shorted out.

Troubleshooting Procedure

Abnormal noise stops when the spark plug on the 
cylinder with defective part is shorted out.

Troubleshooting Procedure

Short out each spark plug and listen for change in 
engine noise.

Condition

Possible cause

Correction

Noise from connecting rods or from 
connecting rod bearings
(Faulty connecting rods or 
connecting rod bearings usually 
make an abnormal noise slightly 
higher than the crank bearing noise,  
which becomes more evident when 
engine is accelerated)

Bearing or crankshaft pin worn

Replace connecting rod bearings 
and crankshaft or regrind crankshaft 
and install the under size bearing

Crankpin out of round

Replace connecting rod bearings 
and crankshaft or regrind crankshaft 
and install the under size bearing

Connecting rod bent

Correct or replace

Connecting rod bearing seized

Replace connecting rod bearings 
and crankshaft or regrind crankshaft 
and install the under size bearing

Condition

Possible cause

Correction

Piston and cylinder
(Faulty piston or cylinder usually 
makes a combined mechanical 
thumping noise which increases 
when engine is suddenly  
accelerated but diminishes gradually 
as the engine warms up)

Piston clearance increased due to 
cylinder wear

Replace piston and cylinder body

Piston seized

Replace piston and cylinder body

Piston ring broken

Replace piston and cylinder body

Piston defective

Replace pistons and others

Condition

Possible cause

Correction

Piston pin noise
(Piston makes noise each time it 
goes up and down)

Piston pin or piston pin hole worn

Replace piston, piston pin and 
connecting rod assy

6A–12

ENGINE MECHANICAL (X22SE 2.2L)

Troubleshooting Procedure

The slapping sound stops when spark plug on bad 
cylinder is shorted out.

Condition

Possible cause

Correction

Timing belt noise

Timing belt tension is incorrect

Replace pusher or adjust the 
tension pulley or replace timing belt

Tensioner bearing defective

Replace

Timing belt defective

Replace

Timing wheels defective

Replace

Timing belt comes in contact with 
timing cover

Replace timing belt and timing cover

Valve noise

Valve and valve guide seized

Replace valve and valve guide

Valve spring broken

Replace

Valve seat off–positioned

Correct

Crankshaft noise

Crankshaft end play excessive 
(noise occurs when clutch is 
engaged)

Replace thrust bearing

Engine knocking

Preignition due to use of spark plugs 
of inadequate heat range

Install Spark Plugs of adequate heat 
range

Fuel too low in octane rating

Replace fuel

Wide Open Throttle enrichment 
system failure

Refer to Section 6E

Selection of transmission gear 
incorrect

Caution operator of incorrect gear 
selection

Engine overheating

Refer to “Engine Lacks Power"

Others

Water pump defective

Replace

Drive belt slipping

Adjust tension of drive belt or 
replace drive belt