97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do!

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Sun 29 Jul 2012 23:49
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - AaronR
Right guys, ive cleaned the Idle control Valve, cleaned the Throttle body, changed oil and oil filter including a can of wynns engine flush and im still getting some problems. Firstly, the idle hasnt got any better, it still chugs and is not far off stalling, and its still making a tappet sort of noise when driven gently, this goes away though when driven harder. Also, compared to my 1.4 petrol that i had, this 1.6 8v doesnt feel as nippy. Ive got a 600-700 mile trip to Devon comi g up shortly and I'm worried it's not gonna make it!

Please someone help!!

Cheers, Aaron
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Mon 30 Jul 2012 00:29
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - bathtub tom

How long have you had the car and what work was done before these symptoms?

What does the temperature gauge indicate and has the thermostat ever been changed?

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Mon 30 Jul 2012 00:53
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - AaronR
Hi. I've had the car about a month. I needed a car very quickly and I got it at a reasonable price in very good condition with 89k on the clock. The temp stays at bottom unless I get stuck in traffic, then it goes up abit. I don't know if thermostat has been done really!
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Mon 30 Jul 2012 08:45
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - RT

Firstly, the 1.6 8v is much less powerful than the 1.4 16v so your comparison there is out of order.

The 1.6 8v has always run cool - it has enough cooling to cope with the big diesels and much bigger petrol engines - so block off one side of the bonnet grill area, the side away from the cold air intake - this will help get the temperature more normal - in winter you'll probably need to block the lower vents as well.

This is a well recommend mod on Astra forums.

Edited by RT on 30/07/2012 at 08:45

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Mon 30 Jul 2012 11:46
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - bathtub tom

>>The temp stays at bottom unless I get stuck in traffic

Could be running too cool and hence too rich. I'd suggest changing the thermostat.

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Mon 30 Jul 2012 19:00
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - AaronR
Ok cheers.

So, long term, could this be bad if I don't get it fixed yet? And what about the tappet noise?

Aaron
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Mon 30 Jul 2012 20:47
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - bathtub tom
So, long term, could this be bad if I don't get it fixed yet?



If it's running too cool, it'll probably be running rich, which means it's using much more fuel than necessary. Long term it means you'll be throwing petrol away. It could also mean the excess petrol washes oil off the bore walls causing premature wear. I don't know what effect it'll have on the cat.



Remember choke knobs? It's like running with the choke pulled out!
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Thu 2 Aug 2012 23:15
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - Singlish

Problem is on this engine the thermostat is located behind the cam belt back cover, and so to replace the thermostat means removing the cam belt and sprockets! Not that easy a job!

Andrew

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Fri 3 Aug 2012 12:17
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - bathtub tom

Oh, that engine.

How can GM come up with such a terrible design for a service replacement item like that, but make some clutch changes so easy.

I spent my early life in Luton and most of my family worked at Vauxhall, but I've never owned one in my sixty-odd years - I wonder why?

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Fri 3 Aug 2012 15:13
97 Astra 1.6 8v - Don't know what to do! - RT
I spent my early life in Luton and most of my family worked at Vauxhall, but I've never owned one in my sixty-odd years - I wonder why?

Same reason all my in-laws worked for Austin and Land-Rover so I bought Vauxhalls !!

But I've seen the light and only buy Far-East built cars now - I've never included a UK-built Japanese car on my short list either.

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