£1000 Vectra SRI daily shed
Discussion
After successfully removing the (exhaust) side solenoid, and removed the filters, this has made the engine less tappy, excellent, so next one is the rear inlet side solenoid..this didn't go too well.
It was very stuck in the hole, and I actually sheared off the cylinder from the solenoid itself
Here you can see it stuck in the block.
So, with abit of more encouragement and some clamps, it's out!! But yeah, need a new one now
So, question, why would it be so jammed in there, whilst the front one literally slipped out in comparison?
It was very stuck in the hole, and I actually sheared off the cylinder from the solenoid itself
Here you can see it stuck in the block.
So, with abit of more encouragement and some clamps, it's out!! But yeah, need a new one now
So, question, why would it be so jammed in there, whilst the front one literally slipped out in comparison?
So, the car was off the road since this stupid job, ever heard the saying "if it ain't broke then don't try and fix it" think it was the Fresh Prince...but anyway.
I ordered a new VVT solenoid, managed to get the old one out using mole grips and a hammer...eeek
Fitted new one, still very tight but a little bit of persuasion and a good help from a good friend of mine this evening who is a mechanic by trade (it does help) it went in!!
So, running as smoothly as a rattly old Vectra can do, so in future don't mess with things when you don't need too, lesson learnt.
Exhaust backbox has arrived, so this is the next job, to sort the blowing one.
I ordered a new VVT solenoid, managed to get the old one out using mole grips and a hammer...eeek
Fitted new one, still very tight but a little bit of persuasion and a good help from a good friend of mine this evening who is a mechanic by trade (it does help) it went in!!
So, running as smoothly as a rattly old Vectra can do, so in future don't mess with things when you don't need too, lesson learnt.
Exhaust backbox has arrived, so this is the next job, to sort the blowing one.
More miles stuck on the Vec, running remarkably well still.
Managed to get the exhaust sorted also this week, was very rusty so took some effort. But much better now than that horrendous blowy one, looks OEM of course.
eBay £51 for the box, can't complain for that!
Managed to get the exhaust sorted also this week, was very rusty so took some effort. But much better now than that horrendous blowy one, looks OEM of course.
eBay £51 for the box, can't complain for that!
Edited by 757 on Wednesday 11th May 12:33
2,500 miles since purchase, averaging around 45/46 MPG.
Thought I would just clean out the interior, outside I couldn't care less, but I can't sit amongst filth, plus the dirt hides the many imperfections on the bodywork.
Despite peoples opinions on the Vectra interior when it was released, I kind of think it looks rather utilitarian, and hard wearing, suits this kind of car though I think, "a do it all hack"
Thought I would just clean out the interior, outside I couldn't care less, but I can't sit amongst filth, plus the dirt hides the many imperfections on the bodywork.
Despite peoples opinions on the Vectra interior when it was released, I kind of think it looks rather utilitarian, and hard wearing, suits this kind of car though I think, "a do it all hack"
You're really making me want to go and get another Vectra now. Just like the Astra H of the same era, they're just decent at everything. Yes, you might get a car that has better MPG, is faster, has a better boot space or is cheaper to tax but can you get a car that's significantly better in all those departments for anything like the money? They're hard to beat. No wonder they were the go-to for taxi companies.
Looking forward to more. There was a thread I think on here years ago. A chap had a Vectra C facelift and added all sorts of factory extras to it. Even had key dependent memory seats and mirrors if memory serves.
Looking forward to more. There was a thread I think on here years ago. A chap had a Vectra C facelift and added all sorts of factory extras to it. Even had key dependent memory seats and mirrors if memory serves.
making people want a Vectra is pretty special, I will try to keep up the posts if anyone is actually interested in this shed ha!Doing a 500 miles round trip tomorrow North West down to Brighton area, doing some filming work for a client for a couple of days.
Sheddy Vectra has swallowed all the extensive gear very easily.
51.9 mpg, M56/M6/M40/M25 - we did around 450 miles all round, with a boot full of gear. I think that is pretty awesome!
Car excels around 60/65mph, any faster it gets a little loud/gruff, as its only a 5 speed, so revs are quite high, but can't complain it's an excellent cruiser.
Aircon is s
t though! So may get that looked at if I can be arsed spending the £, weather will change next week probably.
...this was only 1/2 the gear we took!
Car excels around 60/65mph, any faster it gets a little loud/gruff, as its only a 5 speed, so revs are quite high, but can't complain it's an excellent cruiser.
Aircon is s
t though! So may get that looked at if I can be arsed spending the £, weather will change next week probably....this was only 1/2 the gear we took!
Really impressed with your MPG! Even at 60/65mph!
For the aircon, you can try to get a cheap recharge on Groupon, and buy on ebay some UV light and glasses. If the charge doesn't last more than few weeks, then you know you have a leak and you can play Cluedo with the UV light and glasses
Hopefullly, only a burst pipe. Worse case, a condenser or something more serious... Worth give it a charge in my opinion and see what happens!
For the aircon, you can try to get a cheap recharge on Groupon, and buy on ebay some UV light and glasses. If the charge doesn't last more than few weeks, then you know you have a leak and you can play Cluedo with the UV light and glasses
Hopefullly, only a burst pipe. Worse case, a condenser or something more serious... Worth give it a charge in my opinion and see what happens! Yeah good shout on the Groupon thing, tbh I may just wait till September MOT time and get my mechanic to take a look, will most likely work out even cheaper, with mates rates.
Yeah MPG is still quite staggering, this is worked out MPG so the OBC display is not far off at all.
Quiet few days now, so the Vectra will be parked up for the weekend.
It has forecast rain, so should give it a good wash it needs... oh how I love not giving a st!
Yeah MPG is still quite staggering, this is worked out MPG so the OBC display is not far off at all.
Quiet few days now, so the Vectra will be parked up for the weekend.
It has forecast rain, so should give it a good wash it needs... oh how I love not giving a s
t! 3,000 miles now added to the Vec since had it!
Roofbars added, £20 off eBay, utter bargain...
Come in useful when I am shooting my photography, car has become a DSLR rig (attach camera to the bars, or in my case stand on the roof!..)
(As taken from this image, when I was on a shoot this weekend)
Roofbars added, £20 off eBay, utter bargain...
Come in useful when I am shooting my photography, car has become a DSLR rig (attach camera to the bars, or in my case stand on the roof!..)
(As taken from this image, when I was on a shoot this weekend)
Edited by 757 on Monday 30th May 17:32
Did I mention the boot is ridiculous in this thing! 27.5" Mountain bike fits in without any wheel removal or anything!
The more time goes on with this car the more I think, it's a bloody good car, just seems to do everything I need to to do for such little outlay, like a faithful old sheddy donkey.
Had to spend £6 on some front wipers though...I am very good at ignoring noises now I have been at one with shed driving, but squeeking wipers are like "fingers down chalkboard" to me.
The more time goes on with this car the more I think, it's a bloody good car, just seems to do everything I need to to do for such little outlay, like a faithful old sheddy donkey.
Had to spend £6 on some front wipers though...I am very good at ignoring noises now I have been at one with shed driving, but squeeking wipers are like "fingers down chalkboard" to me.
757 said:
Car excels around 60/65mph, any faster it gets a little loud/gruff, as its only a 5 speed, so revs are quite high, but can't complain it's an excellent cruiser.
I’m surprised they are only 5 speed, been driving a Zafira with the same engine recently and it really revs high in 5th on the motorway, how many rpm is the Vectra doing @ 70 mph?Asking for a friend who’s looking been looking at them on eBay
@ 70mph+ it's around 3k revs, so quite high, well compared to what I am use too, apparently it's the lack of torque for a 6 speed, can be quite loud but not too intrusive.
I tend to stick around 65/68mph - seems to be the sweet spot for my ears and my economy
Boring shed update....Nail in tyre, fixed this (am).
100+ miles to do this afternoon, work in Manchester, and a few errands.
I tend to stick around 65/68mph - seems to be the sweet spot for my ears and my economy
Boring shed update....Nail in tyre, fixed this (am).
100+ miles to do this afternoon, work in Manchester, and a few errands.
Edited by 757 on Saturday 11th June 12:19
Great cars, do way more than you expect them to do, I paid £900 in 2019 and do 2000 miles a month in mine to work and back, it's the lesser engine though the 2.2 direct which famously suffers from leaking hydraulic fuel pumps.
I changed ours for a polish mechanical fuel pump and it's run 30,000 on it and is now E10 compatible
Here it is weekend just gone after some urban exploring in deepest Kent, 192,000 on the clock and climbing fast..
I changed ours for a polish mechanical fuel pump and it's run 30,000 on it and is now E10 compatible
Here it is weekend just gone after some urban exploring in deepest Kent, 192,000 on the clock and climbing fast..
aust240378 said:
Great cars, do way more than you expect them to do, I paid £900 in 2019 and do 2000 miles a month in mine to work and back, it's the lesser engine though the 2.2 direct which famously suffers from leaking hydraulic fuel pumps.
I changed ours for a polish mechanical fuel pump and it's run 30,000 on it and is now E10 compatible
Here it is weekend just gone after some urban exploring in deepest Kent, 192,000 on the clock and climbing fast..
I changed ours for a polish mechanical fuel pump and it's run 30,000 on it and is now E10 compatible
Here it is weekend just gone after some urban exploring in deepest Kent, 192,000 on the clock and climbing fast..
Yes mine is the simpler 1.8 engine, so already E10 compatible.
Good standard cars like you've found out yourself, I wasn't actually after one and never been a VX fan but, it just came up cheap very local to me, so took a punt, and was happy to say bye to diesel for a while tbh.
Not sure how long I will keep it - seems to do the job of a cheap car for the time being, 2 years I had it penned for...see how many miles I can stick on it.
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