1998 OPEL FRONTERA fuel

6A–5
ENGINE MECHANICAL
4. Engine Lacks Compression
Condition
Possible causeCorrection
Engine lacks compressionSpark plug loosely fitted or spark
plug gasket defectiveTighten to specified torque or replace
gasket
Valve timing incorrectAdjust
Cylinder head gasket defectiveReplace gasket
Valve incorrectly seatedLap valve
Valve stem seizedReplace valve and valve guide
Valve spring weakened or brokenReplace
Cylinder or piston rings wornOverhaul engine
Piston ring seizedOverhaul engine.
Engine Compression Test Procedure
1. Start and run the engine until the engine reaches
normal operating temperature.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Remove all the spark plugs.
4. Remove ignition coil fuse (15A) and disable the
ignition system.
5. Remove the fuel pump relay from the relay and fuse
box.
6. Engage the starter and check that the cranking speed
is approximately 300 rpm.7. Install cylinder compression gauge into spark plug
hole.
8. With the throttle valve opened fully, keep the starter
engaged until the compression gage needle reaches
the maximum level. Note the reading.
9. Repeat the test with each cylinder.
If the compression pressure obtained falls below the
limit, engine overhaul is necessary.
Limit; 1000 kPa (145 psi)

6A–6
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Rough Engine Idling or Engine Stalling
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Trouble in fuel injection systemIdle air control valve defectiveReplace
Throttle shutting off incompleteCorrect or replace
Throttle position sensor circuit open
or shortedCorrect or replace
Fuel injector circuits open or shortedCorrect or replace
Fuel injectors damagedReplace
Fuel pump relay defectiveReplace
Mass Airflow Sensor circuit open or
poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Mass Airflow Sensor defectiveReplace
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
circuit open or poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
defectiveReplace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
circuit open or poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
defectiveReplace
Intake Air Temperature sensor circuit
open or poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Intake Air Temperature sensor
defectiveReplace
Knock Sensor (KS) cable broken or
poor connectionsCorrect or replace
KS defectiveReplace
KS Module circuits open or groundCorrect or replace
KS Module defectiveReplace
Vehicle Speed Sensor circuit open or
shortedCorrect or replace
Vehicle Speed Sensor defectiveReplace
Trouble in emission control systemPowertrain Control Module defectiveReplace
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve
circuit open or poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve
faultyReplace
Canister purge valve circuit open or
poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Canister purge valve defectiveReplace
Evaporative Emission Canister
Purge control valve defectiveReplace
Trouble in ignition systemRefer to “Hard Start”

6A–7
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
OthersEngine lacks compressionRefer to “Hard Start”
Valve incorrectly seatedLap valve
Air Cleaner Filter cloggedReplace filter element
Valve timing incorrectReadjust
Idle air control valve brokenReplace
Fast idle solenoid defectiveReplace
Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve
defective or cloggedReplace
Rough Engine Running
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Engine misfires periodicallyIgnition coil layer shortedReplace
Spark plugs foulingClean or install hotter type plug
Spark plug(s) insulator nose leakingReplace
Fuel injector(s) defectiveReplace
Powertrain control module faultyReplace
Engine knocks periodicallySpark plugs running too hotInstall colder type spark plugs
Powertrain control module faultyReplace
Engine lacks powerSpark plugs fouledClean
Fuel injectors defectiveReplace
Mass Airflow Sensor or Intake
Airflow Sensor circuit defectiveCorrect or replace
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)
Sensor or Manifold Absolute
Pressure Sensor circuit defectiveCorrect or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
or Engine Coolant Temperature
Sensor circuit defectiveCorrect or replace
Powertrain Control Module faultyReplace
Intake Air Temperature Sensor or
Intake Air Temperature Sensor
circuit defectiveCorrect or replace
Throttle Position Sensor or Throttle
Position Sensor circuit defectiveCorrect or replace
Knock Sensor or Knock Sensor
circuits defectiveCorrect or replace
Knock Sensor Module or Knock
Sensor Module circuits defectiveCorrect or replace

6A–8
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Hesitation
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Hesitation on accelerationThrottle Position Sensor adjustment
incorrectReplace throttle valve assembly
Throttle Position Sensor circuit open
or shortedCorrect or replace
Excessive play in accelerator linkageAdjust or replace
Mass Airflow Sensor circuit open or
poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Mass Airflow Sensor defectiveReplace
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)
Sensor circuit open or shortedCorrect or replace
MAP Sensor defectiveReplace
Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor
circuit open or shortedCorrect or replace
Knock Sensor (KS) Circuit open or
poor connectionsCorrect or replace
KS defectiveReplace
KS Module circuits open or shortedCorrect or replace
KS Module defectiveReplace
IAT Sensor defectiveReplace
Hesitation at high speedsFuel tank strainer cloggedClean or replace
(Fuel pressure too low)Fuel pipe cloggedClean or replace
Fuel filter cloggedReplace
Defective fuel pump systemCheck and replace
Fuel Pressure Control Valve leakingReplace
Hesitation at high speeds
(Fuel injector not working normally)Power supply or ground circuit for
Multiport Fuel Injection System
shorted or openCheck and correct or replace
Fuel Injector defectiveReplace
Cable of Multiport Fuel Injection
System circuit open or poor
connectionsCorrect or replace

6A–10
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Engine Lacks Power
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Trouble in fuel systemFuel Pressure Control Valve not
working normallyReplace
Fuel injector cloggedClean or replace
Fuel pipe cloggedClean
Fuel filter clogged or fouledReplace
Fuel pump drive circuit not working
normallyCorrect or replace
Fuel tank not sufficiently breathing
due to clogged Evaporative
Emission Control System circuitClean or replace
Water in fuel systemClean
Inferior quality fuel in fuel systemUse fuel of specified octane rating
Powertrain Control Module supplied
poor voltageCorrect circuit
Throttle Position Sensor cable
broken or poor connectionsCorrect or replace
Throttle Position Sensor defectiveReplace
Mass Airflow Sensor not working
normallyReplace
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
not working normallyReplace
Intake Air Temperature Sensor not
working normallyReplace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
circuit open or shortedCorrect or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
defectiveReplace
Powertrain Control Module defectiveReplace
Trouble in intake or exhaust systemAir Cleaner Filter cloggedReplace filter element
Air duct kinked or flattenedCorrect or replace
Ignition failure————Refer to Hard Start Troubleshooting
Guide
Heat range of spark plug inadequateInstall spark plugs of adequate heat
range
Ignition coil defectiveReplace

6A–13
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
Engine knockingPreignition due to use of spark plugs
of inadequate heat rangeInstall Spark Plugs of adequate heat
range
Carbon deposits in combustion
chambersClean
Fuel too low in octane ratingReplace fuel
Wide Open Throttle enrichment
system failureRefer to Section 6E
Selection of transmission gear
incorrectCaution operator of incorrect gear
selection
Engine overheatingRefer to “Engine Lacks Power”
OthersWater pump defectiveReplace
Drive belt slippingReplace auto tentioner or drive belt
Abnormal Combustion
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Trouble in fuel systemFuel pressure control valve defectiveReplace
Fuel filter cloggedReplace
Fuel pump cloggedClean or replace
Fuel tank or fuel pipe cloggedClean or replace
Fuel injector cloggedClean or replace
Fuel pump relay defectiveReplace
Power supply cable for fuel pump
broken or poor connectionsReconnect, correct or replace
Mass Airflow (MAF) sensor circuit
open or defectiveCorrect or replace
MAF Sensor defectiveReplace
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
circuit open or shortedCorrect or replace
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
defectiveReplace
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT)
Sensor circuit open or shortedCorrect or replace
ECT Sensor defectiveReplace
Throttle Position Sensor adjustment
incorrectReadjust
Throttle Position Sensor defectiveReplace
Throttle Position Sensor connector
poor connectionsReconnect
Vehicle Speed Sensor cable poor
connections or defectiveCorrect or replace
Vehicle Speed Sensor loosely fixedFix tightly
Vehicle Speed Sensor in wrong
contact or defectiveReplace
Powertrain Control Module cable
poor connections or defectiveCorrect or replace

6A–15
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Condition CorrectionPossible cause
Oil leaking into combustion
chambers due topoor seal in valve
Valve stem oil seal defectiveReplace
chambers due to oor seal in valve
systemValve stem or valve guide wornReplace valve and valve guide
Oil leaking into combustion
chambers due to poor seal in cylinder
t
Cylinders and pistons worn
excessivelyReplace cylinder body assembly and
pistons
partsPiston ring gaps incorrectly
positionedCorrect
Piston rings set with wrong side upCorrect
Piston ring stickingReplace cylinder body assembly and
pistons
Piston ring and ring groove wornReplace pistons and others
Return ports in oil rings cloggedClean piston and replace rings
Positive Crankcase Ventilation
System malfunctioningPositive Crankcase Ventilation Valve
cloggedClean
OthersImproper oil viscosityUse oil of recommended S.A.E.
viscosity
Continuous high speed driving
and/or severe usage such as trailer
towingContinuous high speed operation
and/or severe usage will normally
cause increased oil consumption
Fuel Consumption Excessive
ConditionPossible causeCorrection
Trouble in fuel systemMixture too rich or too lean due to
trouble in fuel injection systemRefer to “Abnormal Combustion”
Fuel cut function does not workRefer to “Abnormal Combustion”
Trouble in ignition systemMisfiring or abnormal combustion
due to trouble in ignition systemRefer to “Hard Start” or “Abnormal
Combustion”
OthersEngine idle speed too highReset Idle Air Control Valve
Returning of accelerator control
sluggishCorrect
Fuel system leakageCorrect or replace
Clutch slippingCorrect
Brake dragCorrect
Selection of transmission gear
incorrectCaution operator of incorrect gear
selection
Excessive Exhaust Gas
Recirculation flow due to trouble in
Exhaust Gas Recirculation systemRefer to “Abnormal Combustion”

6A–17
ENGINE MECHANICAL
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
The instrument panel “CHECK ENGINE” Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminates by self diagnosticsystem when the system checks the starting of engine, or
senses malfunctions.
Condition
Possible causeCorrection
“CHECK ENGINE” MIL does not
illuminate at the starting of engine
Bulb defectiveReplace
illuminate at the starting of engineMIL circuit openCorrect or replace
Command signal circuit to operate
self diagnostic system shortedCorrect or replace
Engine Control Module (PCM) cable
loosely connected, disconnected or
defectiveCorrect or replace
PCM defectiveReplace
“CHECK ENGINE” MIL illuminates,
and stays onDeterioration of heated oxygen
sensor internal elementReplace
Heated oxygen sensor connector
terminal improper contactReconnect properly
Heated oxygen sensor lead wire
shortedCorrect
Heated oxygen sensor circuit openCorrect or replace
Deterioration of engine coolant
temperature sensor internal elementReplace
Engine coolant temperature sensor
connector terminal improper contactReconnect properly
Engine coolant temperature sensor
lead wire shortedCorrect
Engine coolant temperature sensor
circuit openCorrect or replace
Throttle position sensor open or
shorted circuitsCorrect or replace
Deterioration of crankshaft position
sensorReplace
Crankshaft position sensor circuit
open or shortedCorrect or replace
Vehicle speed sensor circuit openCorrect or replace
Manifold absolute pressure sensor
circuit open or shortedCorrect or replace
Intake air temperature sensor circuit
open or shortedCorrect or replace
Fuel injector circuit open or shortedCorrect or replace
PCM driver transistor defectiveReplace PCM
Malfunctioning of PCM RAM
(Random Access Memory) or ROM
(Read Only Memory)Replace PCM