thinking of a 2.2 petrol, advice/help please

[scoobydoo007]

hey guys

i already own a frontera b series 2.2dti, and ive just sold my subaru and im looking for something practical for the wife to do the school runs in etc. i know the usual pitfalls with fronteras, but id like some advice from you guys who actually own a 2.2 petrol. i know what vauxhall quote for mpg, but what will we actually be looking at? most of the runs will be short trips, stop start etc. whats the power/torque like, is it under powered?. ive got my eye on a nice little 1999 80,000 miler with a fsh and a 12 month mot and only one owner, looks promising and im waiting for a reply as to if the speedo is working or if its like most of the others ive viewed with a dodgy dash.....truth be known i will probably have this one for myself and the wife can use the diesel, now ive sold the scooby im looking to getting into a bit of mild off road, only simple stuff, may add some wheel spacers, bigger tyres, bit of a sus/body lift whilst keeping it practical for daily use to work.....do you guys think the 2.2 petrol has the umph/torque for mild weekend off road use, or should i look for a diesel?.....bit long winded, thanks for looking

andy

[James Bass]

Never have/will own one, but I do know the engines are VERY prone to head gasket failure. Very much the weak link in the Frontera range.

[rseaville]

Hi Andy

Mine does 17mpg on short trips of 1.5miles to and from work and 26mpg on a run at 70mph.
As for head gasket failures its all down to how well you look after it. If you get one flush the cooling system and refill with GOOD antifreeze.
I've got OAT antifreeze in mine as it doesn't affect the alloy of the engine and last upto 4 years, bit dearer but you get what you pay for.
As for day to day use I love it. Gets up and goes when you want it to and is happy in traffic.
Go try a few and see what you think.

[fogman]

i think the h.g failure is pretty much a when & not if with the 2.2, mine had s/h & only 54k on the clock when it went, i had intended to get it changed anyway but its worth taking it into account ! i love mine i really do & ill be sorry to see her go, mpg wise im getting approx 21, not as high as i had hoped but thats pretty much in town stop start driving, as said on other threads if you get a 3.2 instead the mpg wouldnt be much less & you would have a much better engine & all the power you would ever want

[N1ova]

I personally wouldnt bother with the 2.2 petrol.Headgasket failure and big end failure are common.I sold mine after doing the headgasket and now have my dads 2.2 dti much better in my opinion