[ENGINE SMOKE] STEM SEALS & HEAD GASKET REBUILD Vauxhall opel zafira Gsi opc vxr Z20let

This Vauxhall Zafira GSi Z20let engine had its Stem Seals Smoking, so we removed the cylinder head and Rebuilt it Re cutting new valves, replaced headgasket and cambelt at the same time. NO MORE SMOKE
/ officialaaronaaron

[@fqcraigus]

Totally agree with doing stem seals properly, mine were done on my vxr before I bought it but done with the head on so I anticipate doing it properly one day, next thing to do though is gearbox rebuild :(

[@Dynamic3DLtd]

Absolutely amazing video, I learned so much about things I always wondered and heard people talking about!

[@danielvorisek8362]

Really appreciate these Z20LEx videos!

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Daniel Voříšek awesome!

[@danielvorisek8362]

Forums are full of "How to" but videos are whole different level of help :D

[@roryowilson]

Great video really helpful for those without a clue!! just purchased an astra sri turbo 2002 with the z20let and im already finding your video's usefull.. its a shame im from up north id love a forged build done properly and id be happy to pay the price.. keep up the uploads very usefull!!

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Thanks Rory im glad the vids are of help for you! Any help you need drop me a message on insta.

[@cba360]

Brilliant video! Perhaps next time you’re doing a head gasket for a zlet you could do a how to video? I want to do mine in future myself so would be a great resource to watch!

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Thanks! Yeah thats an idea. How to’s take a lot of time to film but i shall try 👌🏻

[@B3NZARMY]

Thank you for the gift of your knowledge. You are amazing bro thank you.

[@Stefcio86]

Great job m8. Now I guess why my vectra 1.9cdti 150bhp smoke when accelerate and why my friend mechanic don't wanna do that job lol

[@marmo1416]

Hi Aaron. Thank you for this video. I have just failed my Zafira2002 MOT because of blue smoke. When I asked them to fix it they said that they can't do it (2 garages). I don't know if they don't have time or another reason( I have that filling). But your video brings me hope that if they don't want to do it I'm going to give it a try as that's the only option I have. How to do recut the valve? Thank you.

[@andywiltshire23]

Hi aron love the work you do im rebuilding my z20let just on this video id like to see you bolt the head down but it skips that part ive looked thru your videos and carnt seem to see this

[@user-masterisaacwilliams]

Come to manchester and sort my engine out for me az. Lol.

[@evo33130]

Merci beaucoup 🇫🇷

[@jackrussel853]

I've had my Z20LET powered coupe turbo for eight years (and hope to keep for many more) but have only just found your channel, very impressed Aaron, what would you charge for a head clean up and stem seals when/if needed?

[@Automotiverecoveryuk]

Good video subscribed need some 1 good to do all that stuff on my sprinter 2.9 5 cylinder

[@YAMAHA_FAN_BOi_95]

How to diagnose steam seal or piston ring oil seal ?

[@AidanHopkinson-qh8xv]

Hi mate just seen your video on doing stem seals I've got an astr h vxr 2.0 petrol and I've managed to replace everything and valve lapped it just worried about how to get the crankshafts back on and in line I've marked everything up before taking it off but I don't have the gold tool to keep them in line do I need to get one. And if you've done a video on how to get the crank shaft in line could you send me or show me where to find it thanks mate

[@backwheelbob46rr]

Such an honest clever bloke, can you tell me whats the tel tell difference between the stem seals going and the turbo seal on its way out, do you do work for people or just your own cars Cheers Rob

[@XxSniperHazzardxX123]

Can you do a video on timing the engine up? I’m in a bit of a pickle with my car having piston slap so I e replaced everything and I want to learn myself how to do it but just can’t find anything on timing up the engine correctly. if you could that’d be great.

[@cameronjay7835]

Hi, are the little allen bolts at the bottom of the head on the passenger side o ringed. Z20let newby from Australia here. This is most informative channel I've found so thought I'd ask. Cheers

[@srbskipas5667]

Can a cylinder head leak oil into the combustion chamber when warm, after rebuild and flattened and hydro pressure tested , i have oil leak in only cylinder no1?

[@grimjimbo2059]

How much does a job like this cost mate?

[@FlynniesAdventures]

Quality video mate 👌💯

[@sh4n4mkh]

How do you clean.the head and the valve

[@ryanbandit8274]

Hi Aaron where is it you get your stem seals and victor reinz head gasket please many thanks

[@shanemacleod4011]

corect me if im wrong but its fuel injection, so after stop seals leaking the fuel getting sprayed onto the valves will start cleaning it up.

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

On the inlet side yes but exhaust side no

[@user-ho4bz9uc1w]

Anyway more gsi vids plz😀👍

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

gaz 1982 its having lots of hours put in as we speak

[@MrRohanThomas]

want to buy a GSI soon

[@boujeePerformance]

Great video aaron!

[@garycoleman3005]

wkd video again mate, cant wait for the rs cosworth project

[@gazking08mx]

Great videos thanks for all the detail on builds. Are the torque setting the same on z20leh as the let

[@AndR3uTz]

Hi mate, how much you'll charge for an astra x16xep? To replace the sealed and do the valves? Thanks

[@ReOnZzoO]

I have a insignia A20DTH timing messed up garage said valves are bent cause exhaust fumes escaping through intake what would you recommend.

[@DaisyJane92]

What nm do you do the head bolts please

[@jassondynes7273]

hi bud great videos very useful too my gsi cambelt decided to catch the cambelt casing n it pretty much stripped the cambelt but it hasnt snapped but the strans of belt had caught the crank pulley n caused the timing to slip like 6 teeth so thats the head knackered i guess ive got another head n all the head gasket kit any tips as where to start any info wube be helpful cheers pal

[@MK2CLIOOWNERSUK]

Excellent video 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@crabtreemanz09]

Where abouts are you from ? I could do with you doing my head on my forge build lol Top vid like always mate 👌

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Im in essex, you can always post it. This head is a simple rebuild but i do big valve fully ported solid lifter heads if needed too. If you want pics message me on instagram officialaaronaaron

[@user-ho4bz9uc1w]

As a zaf gsi owner I love these vids not long ago done my stems with head on lol due to cost just got a vxr turbo and actuator dirt cheap I need to change but may I ask why you used those useless stem seals that'll just go again soon I thought you would of used nevlock retainers that are permanent

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Them stem seals will never pop bk off. ill do them again for free if they did. The issue isn’t the seals. I have an engine running 7.5k rev limiter for 7 years now and still perfect. The issue is either the fitment or worn valve guides

[@IngeniebrioCivil]

Hi! Can you link the SKF stem seal number part?

[@maxdredi]

great video!

[@garypreston6300]

Hi what do you use to clean the valves

[@josecorbacho3932]

I have a 2006astra 2.0 turbo petrol 170bhp it’s smoking on idle very light smoke do I need to remove the head to replace the stem seals?

[@terryoliver2820]

What did you use to clean the head it came up really nice

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

A variety of degreasers and non acid wheel cleaners

[@markchalker5160]

Hi mate in middle of this on z20leh valve springs have paint markings on them do they go a certain way up as didn’t notice when removing them or is paint just manufactures markings any help be appreciated cheers....

[@daveprivateasskick3436]

have a gsi i know you know alot about z20let engines it is pressuring up at temp at water bottle had radiator to thermastat pipe swelled up because it was pressuring up replaced with full silicone pipes had new thermastat too all other new parts oil filter air filter sparks iridium tipped fresh oil and water never had blue smoke so stems ok ive had compression test holds 170psi all cylinders also had sniff test no signs of head going so would u think this is a water pump failure or maybe blockage ive had this car on my drive for some time had few machanics look at this thing and they have no clue as to whats wrong with my zaf gsi

[@oddmagnestensby4194]

See you use SKF steam seal, what do you think about SKF vs steam seal whit a foot?

[@mythicalgamer93]

Don’t suppose you wanna help with my head on a corsa vxr for my stage 4+ upgrade (supertech valve, valve springs and piper cams )

[@BIG-DEE-EASTMIDDZ]

Does this happen on the corsa vxr??

[@aaronditchfield781]

How well did the car run for after all this work, im buying a VXR zaf and i want to rebuild the lot but dont want to waste my time

[@bignate5981]

Hi mate i brought a astra sri 2.0 turbo, after a few weeks of buying it it developed a missfire and smokes on idle and acceleration, after watching this video i was wondering would the steam seals have anything to do with the misfire, everyone telling me to change coil pack and spark plugs but they look newish, wondering if you could give some advise ? Cheers

[@Ethantherobloxanimator2]

Hi Aaron, could i ask what you used to clean up the valves, ports and pistons?

[@irshaadkhan6378]

So it's not necessary to replace the valves with new ones?

[@nickgregory1893]

Good job mate what did you use to clean the head?

[@rickkroening5282]

How long do you estimate it should smoke after the rebuild. I just rebuilt my b18c1. Got the valve seats recut and new valve seals n new exhaust valves.

[@Alecsc02]

Can u give us the code to the skf ones please?cant find them by brand....

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Watch the latest spring replacement video its in that one

[@jtwiix9734]

how much does this cost to do? with and without taking the headoff wanting to sort it before i sell my car. cheers

[@mattonley4891]

Hi mate. I need a new head for my astra vxr. Do you know if the LET head can be used on the LEH ? Some say they're the same?! LET heads seem easier to pick up 2nd hand

[@Dave__outside21]

What did you use to clean the valves and pistons? Mine are black with crap. And what do you Polish the pistons with? Thanks dave

[@kamilchwastek9432]

Great video! I need to do the same in my LET because it's smoke on start sometimes. Hard to do? I want to do this on my own :)

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Thanks mate! Nah you can do it! Just take your time and take pictures

[@rickyharrison4431]

wow mate im new to your channel class mate what do you use t clean the head and pistons? keep up the great work

[@7brians1]

Hi any chance you can help me with my stem seals please

[@driftingbmw1]

What wheels are these mate?

[@morebhp1]

How much do you charge for this my zafira Sri 2.0 turbo is smoking more than dot cotton

[@peternufc1981]

How much did you charge for doing that roughly ?

[@peternufc1981]

???????

[@callumt2115]

Can you do a video on timing this engine. Only bit that worries me

[@XSIMIKE]

callum terrell timing is easy mate just make sure you have the timing marks lined up on the cams and of course the mark on the crank pulley to tdc.

[@j6fresh]

Do you guys have a instagram I need to some with my corsa vxr

[@pawewronski8936]

7:15 which type of engine did you use the plates to hold the valve seals? I heard that they fit with the z22se

[@timc3232]

Hi Aaron, great video. Your z20let videos are very useful. I'm going to be swapping my engine in my zaf gsi soon for the second time. Last time we dropped the sub frame which seemed to be a lot of mucking about and now have tc light on permanently. Have you taken one out before and if so did you take it out the top? Thanks again for the videos, keep them coming 🖒

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Yes i normally take them out the bottom due to the bulk head. Is the Tc light on its own? Or is it with the abs light aswell

[@timc3232]

Hi Aaron, yes the tc light on its own. Opcom says the steering angle sensor needs calibration but can't find any info on the Internet about how to do it or even that it exists on a zaf gsi. There is a video on KZbin of someone taking it out the top, but yes the bulkhead is the issue 🖒

[@timc3232]

Took it out the bottom again in the end. I took the subframe, engine and gearbox out as one, not quite sure why people do it separately to be honest.

[@lewishill64]

How long did you take to re seat the valves? Also, I bought a new set of red “uprated” stem seals from Nevlock, are they ok?

[@draganplavsicc]

can you help if someone knows opela astra h 1.6 throw out white smoke when it gets hot and comes to the vacuum in the engine thanks.

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Dragan Plavsic white smoke is water in the cylinders from headgasket failure

[@alanrollo2942]

How much would this cost me at a garage mate as I need mine done

[@gareth121astra]

Cracking video aaron

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Thanks man 👌🏻

[@kylebassom3037]

What did you use to clean the block mate ?

[@daveanness]

Another awesome video Aaron how much does it cost to do head gasket?

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

message me on insta

[@daveanness]

Aaron Unknown I’ve messaged you on instagram

[@XSIMIKE]

Hi mate excellent video by the way! You know your way around the zlet engines that’s for sure. I got the elring headgasket kit for my z20let today is everything else in that kit minus the stem seals good enough to do a headgasket job?

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Mikey B hello mate. Thanks. Yeah everything else is fine to use!

[@XSIMIKE]

Aaron Unknown perfect thank you for reply mate. 👍🏻

[@XSIMIKE]

Is the Halfords valve grinding stick any good and what did you use to clean up your pistons and cylinder head mate? Sorry for all the questions.

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Mikey B yeah any grinding stick is fine there just wood with two suckers. Head was a mix of degreaser and non acid wheel cleaner. Polishing the pistons is the same as polishing metal with different grades of wet/dry

[@XSIMIKE]

Aaron Unknown nice one Aaron thanks for reply I’ll be removing my cylinder head at some point this week just want to make sure I have absolutely everything before I do as the zafira is my daily. Lol

[@jamesdunkley3326]

Great video dude and if there a way i can get more power out off my 106 1.1 with our changing the engine mate

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Thanks man 👌🏻 yeah theres plenty of things, start with breathing mods, air filter exhaust system ect.. then change the exhaust manifold, remap and maybe some headwork

[@jamesdunkley3326]

Thank you dude I'm looking at 1.4 head and see about doing stuff to that head see where is goes mate

[@dsbdownsouthboost1287]

Owned my vxr now for about two weeks noticed when I leave it idle for around 5 mins then give it a slight rev to around 3k get a puff of blue/ish smoke , once im driving no smoke at all expect for when I hit traffic lights ect when I pull off get a slight puff of smoke is this stem seals or Turbo ? Second question is , when I had the car he said the sport button had been mapped out , it was fine on a dry day expect I went to take it out on a day where it was raining noticed that the traction controlle was holding me back a hell of a lot so I pulled over held sport button in tried to turn it off but I’ve noticed the sport button don’t work at all so I can’t get the traction control off , will this have to be altered through map ?

[@andisadler2897]

Blue smoke not good at all ever, could be either. Stem seal smoke better to check when just started for first time and cold. How many miles has it done?. Yes a map would sort the traction control out.

[@thomasmcconnon9409]

Hi mate, how much would tou charge to do the work? Thanks Tom.

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Contact me on Instagram dude

[@thomasmcconnon9409]

Aaron Unknown Hi mate whats the accounts name

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Officialaaronaaron

[@scottatkinson1746]

Hi pal would you recommend yousing nevlock all in one stem seals i am doing myn soon and was gonna youse them what do you think ?

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Hi mate, i never use them because they wasn’t made for our engines so i cant comment if there any good or not unfortunately

[@user-ho4bz9uc1w]

I put these in mine and there spot on well worth it

[@gulfraz655]

Could you do this for me please

[@benjaminburton5308]

What sort of money do u charge on this job Aaron need mine doing and getting silly quotes pal

[@rsturborolphy6760]

I'm looking at getting a gsi zafira would u recommend doing the stem seals when getting one and the head gasket. Have seen a lot about them being prone for these issues

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Hi there, first check for blue smoke on start up or when idling. Its always good to do them if you have no history of when they were last done

[@rsturborolphy6760]

Aaron Unknown cheers for the reply bud. Is there any other common faults to keep eyes out for with these. I'm going to be driving it hard in the sense of a lot of millage

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

No probs! There very good engines when they have been looked after so find a good one is my advice. The usual check for turbo smoke, crunching gear syncros, noisy lifters, head should be quiet

[@rsturborolphy6760]

Aaron Unknown right o I'll keep all that in mind. I will probably put a bit more cash out for a low millage one with history. Cheers for the help mate. Keep up the good vids!

[@sionranson4256]

would be intrested in some work on my zlet van any contact details please

[@edyvalceanul6196]

I change simering all opel astra g 1.6 16v and i drop oil 😕😒😥😟😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Do you know where from?

[@edyvalceanul6196]

Aaron Unknown Romanian

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Sorry i mean where you are dropping oil

[@edyvalceanul6196]

Aaron Unknown i dropping oil simering and i change simering all 12.05.2018 😭😭😭😭😭

[@ac7ivecrash979]

You can do mine for me on my zaf if you want to lol ;)

[@carpking1988]

Hi mate can I email you? Got a few questions cheers👍🏻

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Daniel-jay Poppy yeah either on my page unknown performance london or instagram officialaaronaaron

[@dusttkicka]

This channel is the shit

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

I honestly read that as shit first 🤣🤣

[@dusttkicka]

@@AaronUnknownPerformance no ways. Solid channel. Deserves more viewers. I'll share it with friends.

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Appreciate it!

[@alanunknown8932]

I always thought doing the stem seals with the head on was a great idea until I saw this. Can’t believe how clogged up it was. Is there any reason you don’t use stem seal retainers ? They are proven to stop seals popping of. Genuine or elring. Great video though 👍

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Thanks 👌🏻 Glad it helped mate. I don’t use them as i feel there unnecessary, if a customer wanted them i would fit them but not to my own engine.

[@danieldavies8454]

How can I get in touch to get a rebuild on my zafira gsi. It smokes when engine is hot, thank you for making the videos

[@garycoleman3005]

wkd video again mate, cant wait for the rs cosworth project

[@AaronUnknownPerformance]

Cheers mate lots of good parts for it