Welcome
Hi and welcome to the Zippy Zafira Website. If You find yourself
here I'm guessing that either you already own a Holden Zafira or perhaps
you are thinking of buying one in the future.
We've built this sight as an information site for anyone who owns or is thinking of owning a Zafira and to give people the info they need to own one of these great cars while avoiding the heartache of some of the common mechanical issues that can be easily avoided if you have all the facts.
Have a look at our story or the testimonies of other Zafira owners who have had to learn the painful way and save yourself heartache of your own. You'll find pages with everything you need to know to give your Zafira a long trouble free life.
If you are looking for a great car check out our for sale section. All the Zafiras advertised on this website have had upgraded parts already installed to ensure they are great cars for their future owners for years to come. We are not good at keeping this area updated but we generally always have a zafira for sale with prices around $3500 with all upgrades done
Lastly we hope that having all the facts about these cars doesn't scare you off or deter you from owning one. They are fantastic cars! We are not trying to warn people off buying one, in fact we would encourage everyone that they are a great car to own and drive and with the information you'll find in this sight you can buy with confidence, knowing what you need to look for and what you need to do to have years of trouble free motoring.
If you want to call and chat to me about your Zafira or even get some advice and FREE over the phone diagnosis then your more than welcome to call me
If you need work on you Zafira, Astra we can also help and have all the parts you will need
0401541610
Hi Glad i found your blog .I have been looking for a 7 seat car and also am not interested in the big bulky cars ,My sister had one in South Africa and she was very happy with it.The one she had i am sure was a 2L .A friend of ours here in Melbourne had a silver one that had a timing chain snap.Until then she was very happy with it and how versatile it was. Unfortunately she sold the car as it was ,as the mechanics told her it would not be worth fixing.Sad to know it could have been fixed .I think they have a bad reputation and this is due to ignorance or rather due to bad information.I am happy to purchase one after reading your blog. So i will be in the Market for one.Thanks again
ReplyDeleteCheers
Hi, I live down South in Melbourne and have just found your website after purchasing a 2004 Zafira this weekend, your site is extremely useful and I have reviewed all the information on it and believe I now know how to ensure my new car keeps its chain intact.
ReplyDeleteAs I am not sure of the cars services history, I thought I would price the service kit noted in your blogs (12577164) I rang Bay City Holden in Frankston and they advised that this part is now superseded with part number 55570337 Aus price retail is $366.10 ,it comes up on Ebay at approx UK 92 pounds, so I would guess around $200 with delivery.
Holden advises about 10-12 hours labour involved, could you please confirm this is a reasonable estimate.
In your opinion should I have the kit fitted as a precautionary measure, or do you think if I ensure the oil is correct (5/50?) a good filter, regular servicing (5000 to 8000 k) it should be OK. Your advice would be appreciated.
Regards
Geoff
Personally i would not but the kit from Holden as they are still selling the RECALLED parts. ALL the kits on ebay are copies (OEM) of the original recalled design so stay away from them. I recommend a Diesel oil in these cars after the upgrade. a 10/30 or 10/40 is good. Service should be carried out every 10,000k NOT 15,000K which is in the book
DeleteHi, I love my Zafira which succumbed to the issues you have highlighted. So since Feb 2013 she has sat idle as I have no way to afford the quoted 4.5k to get her repaired. I can't bear to let her go for $200 yet I need to start thinking about her future. I have had no car since then but fortunately have been able to use my daughter's car who is still on her learner's which is about to change.....Do you know of a mechanic in Melbourne that may be more affordable to repair her? She is the best car I have had and I would love to be able to drive her again!
ReplyDeleteI don't know of any Mechanics in Melboune that can help. However you can call me on 0401541610 and i can point you in the right direction. I also travel all over Australia fixing these for owners at basically the cost of air fares
DeleteHi. We had a Zafira but unfortunately my daughter was in an accident and it was financially written off. Would love to have kept and repaired ourselves but missed that opportunity. Will be in the market for another when finances allow, Another daughter has the 1998 1.4l 3 door Sb Barina. It has about 140k and an auto. It goes well but is not overly economical seems to be around 30mpg or approx 10km/l. A bit baffled by that consumption was expecting a lot better only get about 400k out of 40/45 litre tank around town. The previous owner did timing belt and water pump not long before we bought it. He collected a kangaroo and we completed the repair to meet roadworthy. Does this motor have any similar issues to the Zafira? Is there a blog or place you would recommend that I might be able to find this out? It doesn't get over hot on the gauge but I notice it does smell a little after a lot of city driving. Was thinking of removing or replacing thermostat but looks a big job. We live in Mackay, a climate quite different to most of Europe. Do you know of any recalls or mods in Europe or Australia for this car/motor?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Sorry i only specialise in the Z22SE engines in the Zafira..
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in purchasing a Zafira later in the year. Where are you located?
thanks
I am located on the Sunshine Coast QLD. Hoever i help people all over Australia repair there Zafira as well as helped many people buy one
DeleteHi I have a zafira z22se engine, on my sump there is a connector which has had the connector pulled from it, what would Thi be? And I can not see any connector to plug into it anywhere! Where would these wires/connector be?
DeleteIs your model an equip? that sensor is ONLY in the equip models and astra convertibles. It measures the oil levels in your sump and signals when to top up. If your car is not an equip then its had an used engine fitted from eith an astra or an equip model
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI am currently looking at buying a Zafira. It is the 2005 model with engine ZZ22SE. It has about 140 000kms on the clock.
It is the perfect car for our family. Roof-rack, cruise control, space, you-name-it. But I am very nervous about the timing belt issue.
So my questions is this - did the 2005 model come out with the upgraded parts? Or would I have to inspect it to make sure it has been upgraded?
The last thing I would like is to buy a dud that is going to go sour on me.
Any reply would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
the 2005 model has an upgraded oil jet but not the tensioner :( you will still need to have this upgraded.
Delete2.2 Zafira great Vehicle - a Moms Taxi with Oomph- Very versatile Wolf in Sheep's clothing- (once loaded a 100m^2 of 8mm wooden flooring in the back)- BUT the issues highlighted here are 100% - I've had my '04 since '05 (Was demo model)- now 180K Km .
ReplyDelete1.SLIGHT oil usage from Day-1, but I managed with it- check the vehicle's oil & water regular-.
2. Last yr experienced the timing chain issue. when started vehicle @ office to come home- VERY NOISEY on left side of motor where cam chain located, so suspected low Oil, which was abit low so I topped up Oil immediately at petrol station- no change re NOISE- was awful. Drove Home slowly / low revs and immediately surfed web when arrived Home- a lot of info re cam chain breaking & resulting Catastrophic engine damage, which is essential due to the Cam chain tensioner not applying pressure to cam chain which was explained as originally a design flaw with it's oil port. When I investigated replacement parts & labour for repair scared the pants off me- R10K SA. Apparently there was a upgrade & recall done and upgrade to later Models which can be established by checking the Vehicles VIN No- when I checked mine, it had Upgraded components installed @ Factory. So early on Sunday morning had a look- discovered I could remove the Hydraulic Tensioner housing & found that the piston body / Oil port of the tensioner all gunged up- Piston was stuck in retracted position, No tension pressure possible onto chain- seemed like Oil residue had burnt / built up on the piston body.
I cleaned it all up- using 1000P water paper & Paraffin - so that all internals shiny new- put it back - Started up- Cam chain Noise- History.
Now busy trying to trace Engine Water Leak- which info on net seem to indicate is likely Water Pump which incidentally is located adjacent to Cam chain tensioner- both on the firewall wall side next too the exhaust manifold - DAMN!!
I recently started using fully synthetic Engine Oil to minimize sludge build issues especially on Alu motors.
I've decatted the exhaust, as the Cat converter had developed loose internals which became noisey @ startup- so put a straight through pipe in & fitted a cheap CAT fooler- seems to work 100% and vehicle has a deeper growl- subtle benefit!!
Peter. A in SA
Hi Peter, I just bought a Zafira. It has a noise at start up which goes away once warm. Would this be the Catalytic converter do you think?
DeleteGreat Site Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi, I am looking at a 2005 Zafira with 126,000K on it. There is a slight noise when starting on a cold Canberra morning. This goes once warmed up. Should I buy this car? Thanks
ReplyDeleteThey are chain driven so a small noise is common.. however you will still need to get that timing upgraded. Eventually it WILL fail
DeleteHi. First time I've had to ask for help don't quite know how this works and how I get a reply or where to look for reply but we have a holden zafira 2003. And we have no clutch we push it there's nothing. Partner is pretty good with cars and mechanics but not so much with newer cars.
ReplyDeleteNeed help or advice bad don't know what to to what's causing problem or how to fix it. Its only means of transport. And we have 5 kids so need car.
For the Zafira 2004 2.2 does the timing chain have to be removed to replace the water pump?. Thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteIf you have the special tool for fitting the waterpump then NO. HOWEVER if you don't have the tool then yes it needs to be removed and so does the balance chain. Can i suggest you replace and upgrade the timing to the latest design if you havn't already to prevent timing chain failure.
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ReplyDeletesee following post.
DeleteDanny Adelaide 0403431049
ReplyDeleteThank you Nigel for fixing our car. Our sick bus sounded like a diesel car. Loose bolts and a seized tensioner. Everything replaced including timing chains, water pump, engine serviced, coolant changed and intake manfold clean. Car runs like a dream. All done in 2 and a half hours. This man has a great gentle and generous heart. I was hesitant at first to invite Nigel into my home but after meeting him I was at ease. I would whole heartedly endorse him to anyone.