Buying Spare Parts; Vehicle Identification - Opel Zafira B MPV 2006 Owners Workshop Manual

Spare parts are available from many
sources, including maker's appointed
garages, accessory shops, and motor factors.
To be sure of obtaining the correct parts, it will
sometimes be necessary to quote the vehicle
identification number. If possible, it can also
be useful to take the old parts along for
positive identification. Items such as starter
motors and alternators may be available
under a service exchange scheme - any parts
returned should be clean.
Our advice regarding spare parts is as
follows.
Officially appointed garages
This is the best source of parts which
are peculiar to your car, and which are not
otherwise generally available (eg, badges,
interior trim, certain body panels, etc). It is
also the only place at which you should buy
parts if the vehicle is still under warranty.
Accessory shops
These are very good places to buy materials
and components needed for the maintenance
Modifications are a continuing and
unpublished process in vehicle manufacture,
quite apart from major model changes. Spare
parts manuals and lists are compiled upon a
numerical basis, the individual vehicle numbers
being essential to correct identification of the
component required.
When ordering spare parts, always give
as much information as possible. Quote the
car model, year of manufacture and vehicle
identification and/or engine numbers as
appropriate.
The vehicle identification plate is attached
to the front right-hand side door pillar
(see illustration) and includes the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN), vehicle weight
information and paint and trim colour codes.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is
given on the vehicle identification plate and
is also stamped into the body floor panel
between the right-hand front seat and the
door sill panel (see illustration); lift the flap in
the carpet to see it.
The engine number is stamped on a
horizontal flat located on the front of the
cylinder block, at the transmission end. The
first part of the engine number gives the
engine code - eg, Z16XEP.
Buying spare parts
REF•?
of your car (oil, air and fuel filters, light bulbs,
drivebelts, greases, brake pads, touch-up
paint, etc). Components of this nature sold by
a reputable shop are of the same standard as
those used by the car manufacturer.
Besides components, these shops also
sell tools and general accessories, usually
have convenient opening hours, charge lower
prices, and can often be found close to home.
Some accessory shops have parts counters
where components needed for almost any
repair job can be purchased or ordered.
Motor factors
Good factors will stock all the more important
components which wear out comparatively
quickly, and can sometimes supply individual
components needed for the overhaul of a larger
assembly (eg, brake seals and hydraulic parts,
bearing shells, pistons, valves). They may also
handle work such as cylinder block reboring,
crankshaft regrinding, etc.
Tyre and exhaust specialists
These outlets may be independent, or
members of a local or national chain. They
frequently offer competitive prices when
compared with a main dealer or local garage,
but it will pay to obtain several quotes before
making a decision. When researching prices,
also ask what 'extras' may be added - for
instance fitting a new valve and balancing the
wheel are both commonly charged on top of
the price of a new tyre.
Other sources
Beware of parts or materials obtained from
market stalls, car boot sales or similar outlets.
Such items are not invariably sub-standard,
but there is little chance of compensation if
they do prove unsatisfactory. In the case of
safety-critical components such as brake
pads, there is the risk not only of financial
loss, but also of an accident causing injury or
death.
Second-hand components or assemblies
obtained from a car breaker can be a good
buy in some circumstances, but his sort of
purchase is best made by the experienced
DIY mechanic.
Vehicle
identification
Vauxhall/Opel use a 'Car pass' scheme for
vehicle identification. This is a card which is
issued to the customer when the car is first
purchased. It contains important information,
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate
attached to the front right-hand side door
pillar
Engine codes are as follows
eg, VIN number, key number and radio code.
It also includes a special code for diagnostic
equipment, therefore it must be kept in a
secure place and not in the vehicle.
The VIN number is stamped into the body
floor next to the right-hand front seat
1.6 litre (1796 cc) DOHC 16-valve petrol engine ................. . Z16XEP and Z16XE1
Z18XER 1.8 litre (1796 cc) DOHC 16-valve petrol engine ................. .
2.2 litre (2198 cc) DOHC 16-valve petrol engine ................. .
1.9 litre (191 O cc) SOHC a-valve diesel engine . . ............... .
1.9 litre (1910 cc) DOHC 16-valve diesel engine ............•.....
Z22YH
Z19DT and Z19DTL
Z19DTH