Anyone know what this is?

Colbaker

Colbaker

Colbaker

Associate
Joined
8 Dec 2004
Posts
1,970
Location
Paignton, Devon
Hi all,

Since my service 6 weeks ago i have had issue's with leaking oil from somewhere, I have checked under the car and cannot see any, i have checked the smoke out of the exhaust which is white if noticable at all, I have checked the cooling fluid to see if it is leaking into that but cannot find where it could be going, I have had to put something like 3 litres in over the 6 week period, Its a 1.6 Vauxhall Zafira comfort W reg Petrol engine.

I have taken the engine cover off to have a look and am not familier with the thing in the middle, I have taken a picture below and was wondering if anyone had any clue what it is? is it something to do with hydrolic tappets?, Also more worrying is that the screw holes that i have arrowed look like they should have screws in them but have not, Is this an issue?



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Thanks guys
 
Last edited:
Tinders said:
Spark plug cover maybe?
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My initial thought but it looks like the spark plugs are at the rear of the engine, also it would be strange place for spark plugs as that area does not seem to go into the cylinders.

Also i have updated with more info on what car it is :D
 
Are you sure the engine cover you removed didn't attach to those vacant threaded holes? :) That looks very much like an ignition coil pack, assuming the engine is coil per plug. Nowt to do with an oil leak, which sounds rather alarming if that rate is accurate. Surely you'd have pools under the car or loads of smoke if you're loosing that much!? How does the coolant water look in the expansion tank? Not turning to mayonaise is it?
 
Liampope said:
Are you sure the engine cover you removed didn't attach to those vacant threaded holes? :) That looks very much like an ignition coil pack, assuming the engine is coil per plug. Nowt to do with an oil leak, which sounds rather alarming if that rate is accurate. Surely you'd have pools under the car or loads of smoke if you're loosing that much!? How does the coolant water look in the expansion tank? Not turning to mayonaise is it?
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Nope no mayo in anywhere, violent is normal, no smoke out the back, never any oil left.under the car, what do you think those to screw holes are, they look like they should have screws in them as they are relatively clean compared to the rest of the engine including the tops of the screw holes.
 
That is the ignition coil, a common problem with this engine is that the valve stem seals dry up and let oil past allowing the engine to burn oil.

This is particularly noticeable when you first start the vehicle as it will smoke quite a bit, chances are when the car was serviced they probably filled it with 5w 30 oil where an engine that old would benefit more from a thicker 10w 40 oil.
 
Colbaker said:
Nope no mayo in anywhere, violent is normal, no smoke out the back, never any oil left.under the car, what do you think those to screw holes are, they look like they should have screws in them as they are relatively clean compared to the rest of the engine including the tops of the screw holes.
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See above - my first thought was the engine cover you removed fitted to those holes, but dunno. I wouldn't worry about them - they are clearly not the cause of your oil leak. I assume those two torx bolts actually hold the coil pack down and those threaded holes are to attach something else if not the cover - maybe something model specific? They are clean cos they look like they are brass and are protected under a cover anyway. Do you ever get a smell of burning oil in the cabin? Oil can leak from the rocker cover gasket and drip onto exhaust manifold or into spark plug wells and burn off. Wouldn't be likely to explain that sort of consumption though - you sure about that? 3 litres in 6 weeks?! Get that coil pack out and have a look in the spark plug wells for oil.

EDIT: Quick google says those empty threaded holes are where you stick a couple of long bolts to use as handles to help you pull that coil pack off.
 
Liampope said:
See above - my first thought was the engine cover you removed fitted to those holes, but dunno. I wouldn't worry about them - they are clearly not the cause of your oil leak. I assume those two torx bolts actually hold the coil pack down and those threaded holes are to attach something else if not the cover - maybe something model specific? They are clean cos they look like they are brass and are protected under a cover anyway. Do you ever get a smell of burning oil in the cabin? Oil can leak from the rocker cover gasket and drip onto exhaust manifold or into spark plug wells and burn off. Wouldn't be likely to explain that sort of consumption though - you sure about that? 3 litres in 6 weeks?! Get that coil pack out and have a look in the spark plug wells for oil.

EDIT: Quick google says those empty threaded holes are where you stick a couple of long bolts to use as handles to help you pull that coil pack off.
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Ah OK so they are no worries, even when started from cold there may be a small plume of white smoke for a while but is white smoke just steam, I have done about 600 to 700 miles in that 6 weeks, topped it back up to full 2 weeks ago and checked it today to find the oil level at 1 notch before empty.

I wish there was a nice puddle of oil under the car because I would then at least know what's happening to it, it has me flummoxed that's for sure. Could the oil be dripping onto the exhaust manifold and just burning off? I only get oil burning smell inside car after I have topped it up and accidently spilt some.
 
Does rather sound like it's burning off internally if you cant see or smell any signs of it - likely valve stem seals like Maz said. Are you looking carefully behind when driving, as you might not see the engine smoking at idle in this case. Favourite times for belches of oil smoke when you have leaking valve stem seals are when coming off throttle to coast, and/or under load, so go for a drive and look behind as you come on and off load, etc. Be safe about it of course.
 
Maz said:
That is the ignition coil, a common problem with this engine is that the valve stem seals dry up and let oil past allowing the engine to burn oil.

This is particularly noticeable when you first start the vehicle as it will smoke quite a bit, chances are when the car was serviced they probably filled it with 5w 30 oil where an engine that old would benefit more from a thicker 10w 40 oil.
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My wife drove a Carlton for about 6 months a few years back which got through oil like you wouldn't believe. Sounds like Vauxhall haven't learnt owt in the past 25 years!
 
I noticed while reversing at today that there was white smoke, This happened every time i reversed, Could this white smoke be oil?

What sort of job is fixing the valve stem seals?
 
And I noticed today that when the engine is a full working temperature I get hardly any smoke out of the exhaust.

This is really doing my head in. Could it have anything to do with the recent cambelt change?
 
Colbaker said:
Ok, Defo no blue smoke. I have heard that blocked breather hose's could cause excessive oil loss, only issue is i have no idea where these hoses are????
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It's not always easy to tell by looking in the rear view mirror when you are driving, it tends to be far more obvious when you're the unfortunate person following the car.

Try driving down a steep hill on the overrun (i.e. using engine braking) and then look carefully in the mirror when you apply throttle at the bottom of the hill. If it's burning oil due to worn rings/bores you will usually see a definite puff of blue smoke.
 
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