2008 Astra sri 1.8vvt

[mickyc79]

Was looking for a bargain basement run about and came across a mk5 Astra sri... Full years mot, with quite a few parts replaced to pass.

No history and don't know if belts been done... Its on 117000 miles. Silver/blue colour 5dr hatchback.

Advertised for £695 on gumtree, went and seen it and haggled down to £520!
Has a common issue with sticking handbrake on drivers side, released this with a hammer and just been parking in gear til I get it sorted...windscreen washers dont work either.. Can't hear the pump when trying them so hopefully just a fuse. Wipers work though.

Will get some pics up once I've cleaned it up, but so far really happy with it...drives very well and has a fair amount of poke for 500quid!

Any experience with these or any tips or things to look out for?

[mickyc79]

Dink on nearside front arch and hole in bumper, but apart from that it's really clean.

[DressedToKill]

Have a vectra with the same engine, so far the thermostat, coil pack, and handbrake have all failed within 6 months of ownership, engine has 55k miles. Talking to the guys in the garage was told they're quite common faults, as well as eating through coil springs faster than a fat kid eats cake

[mickyc79]

Cool springs are new, so must have failed on the previous owner... Has a stored code for inlet temperature sensor, but no engine light coming on...code only shows when doing the pedal test (hold brake pedal and trip reset button while turning ignition on). Code 00970... Doesn't seem to affect driving... Could this jusy be a old code that hasn't been cleared?

I've purchased a new caliper and handbrake cable, so will sort that as soon as I can get it into a garage... What are we talking for changing them? An hour, hour and a half?

[DressedToKill]

mickyc79 said:

Cool springs are new, so must have failed on the previous owner... Has a stored code for inlet temperature sensor, but no engine light coming on...code only shows when doing the pedal test (hold brake pedal and trip reset button while turning ignition on). Code 00970... Doesn't seem to affect driving... Could this jusy be a old code that hasn't been cleared?

I've purchased a new caliper and handbrake cable, so will sort that as soon as I can get it into a garage... What are we talking for changing them? An hour, hour and a half?

Same thing for me when my thermostat went, code stored but no lights. It drove fine for the most part, only noticed it wouldn't get up to temp on occasion. Best bet would be to get the code cleared and see if it comes back

Caliper was about an hour or so in the garage to get changed

[mickyc79]

Anyone know if these are an interference engine? Car is running great, but toying with the idea of getting timing belt changed...I know it's only a £500 snotter, but how common is failure on these engines, and is it catastrophic?

[mickyc79]

Changed the blown no7 10A fuse out for a 15A fuse... Windscreen washers working now!

[mickyc79]

Seems to be quite a few missing... Should these all be filled?

[Jag_NE]

DressedToKill said:

Have a vectra with the same engine, so far the thermostat, coil pack, and handbrake have all failed within 6 months of ownership, engine has 55k miles. Talking to the guys in the garage was told they're quite common faults, as well as eating through coil springs faster than a fat kid eats cake

To be fair to the vectra I’m guessing it’s pushing ten year old as Insignia came out on an 09 plate? They were/are a very common taxi in these parts so I presume TCO is pretty good on them.

[DressedToKill]

mickyc79 said:

Anyone know if these are an interference engine? Car is running great, but toying with the idea of getting timing belt changed...I know it's only a £500 snotter, but how common is failure on these engines, and is it catastrophic?

It is an interference engine, snapped belt will end with multiple bent/snapped valves. Waterpump not driven by timing belt like most Vauxhall engines so cheaper and easier to replace. Kit costs approx 80 quid quick to install. Part no - 93196786

[DressedToKill]

Jag_NE said:

DressedToKill said:

Have a vectra with the same engine, so far the thermostat, coil pack, and handbrake have all failed within 6 months of ownership, engine has 55k miles. Talking to the guys in the garage was told they're quite common faults, as well as eating through coil springs faster than a fat kid eats cake

To be fair to the vectra I’m guessing it’s pushing ten year old as Insignia came out on an 09 plate? They were/are a very common taxi in these parts so I presume TCO is pretty good on them.

Aye, was expecting a few problems from a 10 year old car averaging about 4k miles a year so probably being a bit harsh. It's a good wee runner now everything's fixed

[mickyc79]

DressedToKill said:

It is an interference engine, snapped belt will end with multiple bent/snapped valves. Waterpump not driven by timing belt like most Vauxhall engines so cheaper and easier to replace. Kit costs approx 80 quid quick to install. Part no - 93196786

Cheers for the part number, a quick google brought up a Dayco timing belt kit for £53.00, so might just get it done...

I know the water pump doesn't run off the timing belt, but is it worth getting done at the same time or are the pumps fairly robust?

[mickyc79]

Quick update...replaced the handbrake cable and rear caliper a couple of months back and had no problems with brakes since...
Flex pipe developed a blow, so replaced exhaust and got timing belt done as well as full service at the same time. Mate done it all for £180.00 including parts, so was worth doing at that price. Running perfectly and just completed a 500mile round trip to Liverpool without missing a beat. Could really do with a 6th gear though as making progress up and down the m74/6 at around 3900rpm the whole way returned about 32mpg on average. Almost a tank and half to do 500miles.

Cant complain though, for what I paid for it and what it's cost to make sure it's running sweet is still under £1K for the last 3 months.
Quite quick when needed and handling is still vert tight...

Not a bad wee runabout so far.