Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode.

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Thu 21 Oct 2010 17:29
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - Hot Fuse

If, thanks to my EGR valve, I have to crank the starter for nearly 10 secs before it'll start and the 'Car with the spanner' comes on it'll tick over, and drive very nicely indeed!

If however the engine starts instantly on the first turn of the starter the engine idles smoothly for 5 or 6 seconds before it dies. Repeating this even if I restart unless I rev continuously and it drives with lack of power which comes and goes in waves. I have 5 or 6 seconds of power followed by 2 or 3 of power loss this cycle repeats predictively .

Believe it or not my dodgy EGR valve is currently doing me a favour!!

It's been on diagnostics and all sensors are showing ok. Codes 400 (egr) 300 (mis detected) 304 (mis cylider4). is all thats displayng. All codes were cleared and the same ones came back shortly after, with no others.

I had a timing belt and head gasket fitted 5 months ago and I've only done about 700 miles since. This problem has come on gradualy since. Could this be an incorrectly fitted timing belt? Could it have slipped a tooth or two? Would a dodgy head gasket cause this (hydro lock)? Also does the fact that it'll go ok when it's in limp home mode point me in any direction? I'm not taking it back to the guy who did the work because he's insisting my piston rings have gone!!

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Thu 21 Oct 2010 17:41
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - Collos25

Its nothing of a job to take off the egr valve test it and clean it,you can look at the timing marks on the pulleys to see if its timed up properly and have the head checked for a leaking head gasget for a start.

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Thu 21 Oct 2010 17:51
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - Hot Fuse

That's all on the cards. I'm very curious as to the significance of why it runs fine in limp home but not standard program.

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Thu 21 Oct 2010 17:55
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - madf

How many miles has it done? Has it a FSH?

Could be a faulty coolant temperature sensor : hence the cranking on cold start. Plus faulty EGR valve or dirty one, or oil soaked one, or worn bores or all of them. Or throttle body needing to be cleaned.

Edited by madf on 21/10/2010 at 17:59

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Thu 21 Oct 2010 18:04
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - Collos25

Sounds like a very unloved vehicle.

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Thu 21 Oct 2010 18:23
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - Hot Fuse

Sounds like a very unloved vehicle.

I do love it! Thats why I'm resisting calls to scrap it. The wipers don't self return either but saying that, I've got a dodgy right knee...and I ain't ready for the scrap heap.

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Thu 21 Oct 2010 18:11
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - Hot Fuse

87,000. Not FSH but regular oil changes I've had it since 30,000 miles. Tensioners were also changed. My EGR with code 400 has been there forever, it only ever caused the occational long crank when warm so it's never been a priority and in fact its now actually helping.

Thottle body shiney spotless. Did that when I changed the plugs 4 weeks ago.

Just checked oil cap...Oil Cap IS VERY LOOSE...it's not sealing at all. Could this be causing a problem? Air being sucked via the oil cap?

Edited by Hot Fuse on 21/10/2010 at 18:13

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Thu 21 Oct 2010 19:44
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - madf

Yes. get a new oil cap - air leaks.. Should not cost much (scrappie) or even better cover with DUCK tape and see what happens...

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Sun 24 Oct 2010 14:59
Astra 02 1.6 sxi - Only tick over and drive in LIMP HOME mode. - Hot Fuse
Thanks for your help guy's I appreciate it.

Replaced oil cap, didn't help, it's still the same but it needed replacing anyway.

Disconnected connector on EGR valve...now runs like a dream. I'm taking the egr valve off to give it a good clean and try it then.

If I have no joy with it, Am I better off replacing it or going to Vauxhall and getting it blanked off and the ECU re-programed? Is it true that after around 80,000 miles the engine will simply clog a new one up with carbon within 12 months? There's also some debate on whether or not blanking it off and having the re-program affects fuel economy and performance.
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