X reg SWB 2.2 RS buying advice... Urgent!!

[Davee]

Evening all, I havent been on here for a while...

Today I went to look at an x reg 2.2 sport RS. Bodywork, interior etc are in very good nick and it drove nice and smooth through the gears, quite responsive too...

Problem is the engine is rattly at high revs and I wondered if this is normal as I've never owned one before... Is it something to worry about? My previous experience was with a 95' sport that died a proper death after the bottom end went...

I must also mention there is no smoke at all and as already mentioned it drove really well without any faults...

Can anyone help as I need to give the seller an answer tonight...

Thanks in advance

[BoxCleva]

2.2 petrols are without doubt the weakest lump Vauxhall threw in a Fronty. If it rattles I'd walk away, there are plenty more out there that don't.

[Drift]

I agree with Box, it could have trouble in store.

[Davee]

Cheers for the advice guys... You've probably saved me a lot of money

The mrs is gutted though as she loved it.... I'll keep searching

[MG Autos (Mark)]

Just one thing to be aware of on "rattly 2.2 Petrol engines" if the rattle sounds like it's coming from the top end and it's more noticeable at higher revs, check the exhaust manifold and it's heat sheild.
The manifolds tend to crack and so do the heat sheilds. As the Exhaust gasses pressurise and start to escape through the cracks at higher revs this can cause a very noticable rattle from the heat sheild.
Not particularly expensive or diffifcult to remmedy so can be a good bartering point with the seller to bring the price down

[Davee]

That was my initial thought having owned a Vectra sri140, they suffer from cracked manifold as well but this was most definitely cam/tappet noise... Quiet on tickover but very noisy as revs increased and worse under load.

Shame really as it was a lovely motor otherwise...

[SPEEDBIRD 202]

If you are going to get a B Series make sure that you get the 2.2 DTI model - yeah they have issues with the injector pumps, but make an allowance for that when you buy one.

There is some darn good information on this Forum on how you can maintain a DTI, and the problems to look out for. All in all the 2.2 DTI is quite a strong lump - if you give it regular oil changes

[Davee]

Cheers for the replies... I walked away from the 2.2 RS and have managed to find a pretty clean 2.2DTI 5 door which is by far a much smoother and nicer drive.

Will get some pics up shortly...

[MrTom]

Shaaaating new Fronty

Now get it lifted
Snorkelled
Cb'd
Fettle the crap out of it
And broke and you're at the same sort of stage as most of us