Vectra 1.8 Engine Doing Strange Things
Discussion
Hi all, I bought an X Reg Vectra 1.8 on eBay for £500 6 months ago, and while it's a world away from what I really want, it's been a fantastic car and will be kept on going until it dies; just spent £100 on getting the brake pipes and the outer CV joints replaced, only issues we've had until more recently. Sometimes, when at idle, the engine starts revving by itself to c1500rpm then back to idle again, and is quite juddery about it, admittedly it does seem to happen only in wet weather, spoke to a mate who reckons it's just water getting somewhere it shouldn't.
Now, here's the bit that's confusing me. When putting the clutch in to change down when stopping, just before actually stopping, there is a slight judder and the revs jump up very slightly, only to again about 1500, but it is noticeable. We also noticed it today when, pulled up outside, having the engine at a constant 2-3000rpm in neutral for a few seconds, then coming off the accelerator pedal, the revs would go down to idle, then jump up slightly before going down again almost immediately afterwards. Just coming straight off the accelerator did not give us this issue, it was only after the engine being at 2-3000rpm for a few seconds, note this is approximate engine speed when at constant 60mph. Also this is in wet or dry conditions, so to me says it is not the same issue as the previous paragraph
What does PH think could cause this? Being a £500 eBay car, it doesn't really have service history, so I don't know what's been done to it or when. All I do know is that I am only the second owner, the first being a retired chap who had his son take care of 99% of maintenance. There is the odd receipt for services and MOTs, and a receipt for a service in 2008 shows the car having done 43k at the time, with an advisory that timing belt was due at 40k. The previous owner had no idea whether it had been done since then or not, but the car has soldiered on and we bought it in September at 54k, since then I've got that up to a smidge under 60k. Timing belts on these were originally due every 60k but IIRC VX decided to change that to 40k, and I'm wondering if this issue is timing belt related? Other than that, it is probably due a mini service, and I plan to change the oil, plugs and filters myself in due course (kits are £25 on eBay), but I think there's something else causing this that I'm missing. Anyone with a bit more mechanical knowledge than me out there with a solution?
Now, here's the bit that's confusing me. When putting the clutch in to change down when stopping, just before actually stopping, there is a slight judder and the revs jump up very slightly, only to again about 1500, but it is noticeable. We also noticed it today when, pulled up outside, having the engine at a constant 2-3000rpm in neutral for a few seconds, then coming off the accelerator pedal, the revs would go down to idle, then jump up slightly before going down again almost immediately afterwards. Just coming straight off the accelerator did not give us this issue, it was only after the engine being at 2-3000rpm for a few seconds, note this is approximate engine speed when at constant 60mph. Also this is in wet or dry conditions, so to me says it is not the same issue as the previous paragraph
What does PH think could cause this? Being a £500 eBay car, it doesn't really have service history, so I don't know what's been done to it or when. All I do know is that I am only the second owner, the first being a retired chap who had his son take care of 99% of maintenance. There is the odd receipt for services and MOTs, and a receipt for a service in 2008 shows the car having done 43k at the time, with an advisory that timing belt was due at 40k. The previous owner had no idea whether it had been done since then or not, but the car has soldiered on and we bought it in September at 54k, since then I've got that up to a smidge under 60k. Timing belts on these were originally due every 60k but IIRC VX decided to change that to 40k, and I'm wondering if this issue is timing belt related? Other than that, it is probably due a mini service, and I plan to change the oil, plugs and filters myself in due course (kits are £25 on eBay), but I think there's something else causing this that I'm missing. Anyone with a bit more mechanical knowledge than me out there with a solution?
Brilliant, many thanks! Didn't realise it could be something that simple, I thought it'd be something a lot more expensive, but £17 for an air flow meter isn't too bad! Will give it a good service too, I was quite lucky IMO to find this particular one, most £500 Vectra Bs I saw at the time had 150k+ on them and a long list of pretty big issues, so to find a 53k, 1 owner car in the condition it was in was pretty good, especially considering the bid was placed after half a bottle of whisky one night!
And yes, I know Vauxhall doesn't have the best reputation in these parts, but we are on a tight budget and needed a car, nothing fancy, just something to get us around while we save up for our own house and later on something a bit more PH worthy, and this Vectra fits the description perfectly. Although, I am beginning to look at X308 Jaguar XJs, but at our end of the budget they all scream money pit!
And yes, I know Vauxhall doesn't have the best reputation in these parts, but we are on a tight budget and needed a car, nothing fancy, just something to get us around while we save up for our own house and later on something a bit more PH worthy, and this Vectra fits the description perfectly. Although, I am beginning to look at X308 Jaguar XJs, but at our end of the budget they all scream money pit!
Unless I'm looking in the wrong place (eBay), maf cleaner seems to be about £10 a can, a new sensor can be had for under £20. I have had maf sensor issues before; with it being clogged up I was getting VXR8 rivalling mpg. Think it might be time to swap it out, but thanks for the suggestion 
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