Bearing damage (Opel Vectra B)

Detonation noises in the engine compartment, increasing as the oil heats up, are signs of bearing damage. The following may be considered as the cause:

• Insufficient lubrication due to low oil level.
• Water in engine oil as a result of a defective cylinder head gasket.
• Too high revs with a cold engine and therefore too viscous oil
• Torn lubricant film at high oil temperatures; perhaps due to the wrong viscosity oil.

Measures to take in case of bearing damage

We warn you in advance - the defect is almost always found in connecting rod plain bearings. It is very rare in crankshaft main bearings.

Usually, bearing damage means extensive engine repair. But if you recognize a defective connecting rod bearing at an early stage, replacing the liner may be sufficient. Therefore:

• If you hear a hard knock in the engine compartment, turn off the engine immediately. Often, the oil pressure warning light will also come on.

• Do not start the engine again, have the car towed to a workshop.
• If the engine has a mileage of less than 100,000 km, then a partial repair may be sufficient
• Let them dismantle the crankcase and unscrew the caps from all the connecting rod bearings.
• If only individual bearing shells are damaged, and the crankshaft journals are still smooth, then it is sufficient to replace only the bearing shells.
• It is necessary to remove any stuck bearing material from the crankshaft journals, if any.
• In any case, have them measure the connecting rod bore with the defective bearing. Most often, the connecting rod bore needs to be reamed out - a job for an engine repair shop.