The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

My Daughters Astra H 1.3 CDTi has been mis behaving lately! Cured a couple of problems with the installation of new alternator which cured all noises/faults with the electric Power Steering and also the problem of stereo turning itself on during night and flattening battery! The remaining issue is a biggie as I consider it dangerous, there is a shocking flat spot in 1st gear, sit at a junction or lights etc and when you ask it to go it takes a second or two to decide it wants to! No codes / lights on dash etc but it is getting worse, anybody with Vauxhall knowledge / car electronics that could maybe point me in the right direction as to where to look next? Car has had full service, plus new egr cooling pipes and egr in last few weeks.
Cheers Rich

Rich, try the Astra Owners Club forum which you can find HERE I'm already registered on there so I could ask on your behalf if you can't find the answer yourself.

Vacuum leak?

Jeroen

I had an Astra 1.3 CDTi company car for 4 years and most of the company fleet comprised of either 1.3 Astra's, Corsa's or Combo vans. Most people I spoke to complained of its woefully poor response when pulling away in first, indeed it was dangerous at times. It may be just a characteristic. Not really a perk of the job at all!

Good reliable car otherwise, but I was glad to opt out of the scheme after 4 years and buy my own car with a bit more poke.

Toledo Man wrote:Rich, try the Astra Owners Club forum which you can find HERE I'm already registered on there so I could ask on your behalf if you can't find the answer yourself.

Dave already asked on the Astra forum but had no response!
Cheers Rich..

Ive had this on quite a few 1.3 CDTis, the latest one being a 2012 Peugeot Bipper (same engine) - its a fairly common fault.
Its normally the guide for the timing chain that breaks and ends up in the sump - its a brittle piece of plastic. Result is the timing chain flaps about and the timing drifts - you get a flat spot while pulling away and a general lack of power. Needs fixing urgently if this has happened as the chains jump while slack and that pretty much writes off the engine. Best way to confirm with out dismantling is to remove the large hex plug thats fitted in the top side of the timing chain cover and poke an endoscope in to get a look at the guide. Failing that remove the sump. Sadly, if it is this, its quite a big job to fix, 10 hours labour is the book time but i normally get them done in 7 - but ive done more than a few!
Hopefully it wont be this - but im not optimistic - the 1.3 CDTi is a bit of a dog to be honest with quite few inherant faults. Not many make it past 100k.....
Matt.

Wow Matt, That don't sound good. Car has 98k on it. Just replaced all egr cooler pipes, alternator, Battery, rear brakes, 2 tyres. Hard to explain what is happenining 100% but just a terrible lack of power in 1st and sometimes 2nd pulling away from standstill. Has the dodgy 6 speed box too which jumps back in 1st only at the minute

Sounds like it's time to trade it in!

My experience of both cars and vans with this engine is that is woefully lethargic when pulling off or driving up a hill. I believe it's largely a Fiat engine rather than GM.