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16

General Car Chat / Re: Signum 1.9CDTi

« on: 22 January 2019, 08:43:36 »

Unless you have the 'travel assistant' installed.

If you find a Vectra C with the travel assistant, you’ve found a unicorn and you could flog it on the owners forum for silly money! Increadibly rare to find it in a Vectra and as the Signum version base doesn’t fit so it’s not an easy upgrade. Signum is only really a 41/2 seater anyway so travel assistant makes little difference


On all the 1.9s the water pump is weak link, it weeps, bearings rust and eventually fails. Imperative the water pump has been changed with the timing belt.

DPFs were only fitted to estates and autos look on plate on drivers door pillar, bottom left, iirc, 0.50 means DPF fitted, 1.20 means no DPF

AF40 auto box is bullet prof and as long as you don’t act like a tit no problems in any weather, never had a problem with my AF40 and it’s got well over 250bhp running through it.

M32 manual 6 speed that is the manual option on ALL the 1.9s and is very weak. Upgraded internals available, around £400 and a days work at a specialist.

Everything else to look for is like every eurobox of the time

17

General Car Chat / Re: VED rate

« on: 21 January 2019, 19:18:52 »

Pre 23rd March 2006 is the other big cut off, a circa £295 car registered on 22nd March goes to over £500 if registered on the 24th March! Same car just a different date on the V5

One of the reasons I got the Signum I did, first registered on 20th March 2006 so costs same as my Omega even tho it kills more polar bears, apparently

18

Cars for Sale & wanted / Re: F/S Omega 3.2 V6 Elite Estate 2002

« on: 17 January 2019, 20:27:13 »

New V5 has arrived so it’s all good to go 

19

General Car Chat / Re: How much for scrap?

« on: 17 January 2019, 07:49:06 »

Get it MOT'd, I've be offered £405 from we buy any car!

20

General Discussion Area / Re: PPI Refund

« on: 08 January 2019, 16:16:15 »

Funny story.

I have only had one non mortgage loan, took it out back in 1997ish with Lombard Tricity Finance, £6k to add to the £6k my Cavalier was worth on a trade in for £12k of Vectra SRi.

Borrowed, done dusted and paid off in 2 years.

Roll on to about 5 years ago I found the paperwork and it identified PPI, as the scamming companies at the time want a large chunk of what you get and I thought it was only a few hundred pounds, plus LTF no longer exist I didn't bother.

October last year where someone mentioned banks are refusing 3rd party applications and have made it easier to claim direct, I went on the FCA website, found LTF listed which took me to RBS, filled in their 'did I have PPI form' (I've since lost the original paperwork), they came back with I did have PPI and if I wanted to complain fill in the form, which I did.

27th December got a message saying decision made letter in post, I expected nothing.

Letter arrived Saturday, they had upheld my complaint, after taking the 20% tax on the interest, the PPI payback, compensation and interest on my £6k loan payout is more than twice the original loan amount!

Don't ask me how that works, but it does!! 

Either way go direct don't go through a third party, just follow the FCA website links its a piece of cake

21

Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted / Re: Cam covers

« on: 07 January 2019, 10:18:53 »

I have a brand new unused pair (so no worries about buying a second hand warped pair) that fits the X30 engine if you don't have nay luck elsewhere

22

Cars for Sale & wanted / Re: F/S Omega 3.2 V6 Elite Estate 2002

« on: 07 January 2019, 07:55:16 »

Still got it.

Its easier to email pictures, as I have done to a couple of people, if you are interested, ping me an email over and I'll send them across.

To be fair still waiting for the new logbook after the cherished plate transfer (plus been very busy with Christmas) so not pushing the sale to hard at the minute 

23

General Car Chat / Re: Dart crossing charge

« on: 07 January 2019, 07:33:25 »

Nothing wrong with the QE2 bridge or Dartford tunnel DART charge for me, I pay a £20 a year 'administration fee' and get unlimited free crossings.

I could take the option of £10 'admin fee' and get 50 free crossings with any other above that 20p each way.

Scarily the tolls booths were removed over 4 years ago! Doesn't seem that long ago at all!! 

24

General Car Chat / Re: Ferry lorry tipping over!

« on: 20 December 2018, 08:24:56 »

Sea Cat is awful! Imagine the pitching and rolling of a single hulled ship, doubled up as one hull tries to pitch while the other rolls! Also very little deck to get on into the open air away from the smell of puke.

Having done alot of offshore yachting I've seen all sorts of people struggle to hold their lunch in varying conditions (the party in the port the night before is sometimes the overriding factor!!) and the thing that makes me rough is the smell of it.

25

General Car Chat / Re: As i managed to kill the Desmond...

« on: 18 December 2018, 08:12:16 »

If you want a diesel, bin off the Vauxhall option and get a late Alfa 156 16v JTD multijet- same 150 brake Fiat engine, BUT doesn't have the crappy M32 6 speed box, doesn't have a DPF and oddly doesn't have the problematic swirl flaps. Just be warned, the 156 was also available as a 16v 140 brake 5 speed - avoid this at all costs

Ahem...

1.9cdti (Fiat) lump was available from '04 on... Facelift 16v cars have swirl flaps and most '06 on have dpf. Inlets and EGR valves prone to soot build up which causes a rough idle. All had 6 speed boxes. Auto is utter rubbish in snow.

The 1.9 8v doesn't have swirl flaps and is generally more reliable. Same basic lump with different head. Available with both 5 and six speed manuals.

Re 3.2, exactly the same lump with different inlet design... No Multiram. Cat arrangement is for packaging reasons as  the Vectra C is wwd. Available in both Manual and auto and only available in Plod, Elite or GSi specs.

Power change on the 2.8 was for '07 MY, so' 56 on. Again available in Plod, Elite and VXR specs...Plod is full fat VXR and manual only. Elite is auto only, no manual option and standard VXR autos are detuned to protect the gearbox.

Early Signum had much better option availability, facelift range follows Vectra, but without the Plod or VXR, so 2.8 is auto only and 250 bhp.

Ahem.... where do I start?


The facelifted Alfa 156 1.9 16v 150 brake JTD M-Jet with the Fiat diesel engine DOES NOT have swirl flaps or a DPF.

If you still want to argue you can always pop round, stick your head under the bonnet of my 05 reg facelifted Alfa 156 1.916v 150 brake JTD M-Jet with the Fiat diesel engine and point to the swirl flaps. You will spend a lot of time flapping as they aren't there

The reason you are wrong is because the internet. That and the fact the 147 & GT of the same age with the 'same' 150 brake engine had swirl flaps.

By 06 the 156 was dropped and replaced with the 159 which did have all the gubbins

You can buy a 140bhp 16v 1.9ltr diesel 156 on an 05 plate with the facelift and a 5 speed manual - I test drove 2 of them, both 'estate' versions

All Vectra C common rail CDTi manuals, be it the 120bhp 8v, 120bhp 16v or the 150bhp 16v, had the M32 6 speed box, the 5 speed was only fitted to the older 2ltr 8v DTi engine

The Z32 and Y32 are different engines, the Z precats are for emissions, it produces less BHP and more torque and it DOES have vacuum actuated flaps within the plenum, so it does have multi ram, the big aluminium lump isn't just for show

The Signum was available with the 2.8V6 in 230 & 250 brake with a manual gearbox in Design spec, it wasn't an Elite autobox only option. Design spec has slightly stiffer and shorter springs, half leather and tinted rear lights - it was as 'sporty' as the Signum got

All 2.8 Signums are facelift and either 230 or 250bhp not just 250 and there was a Police Signum that was evaluated but never put into service

Options were the same on prefacelift and face lift, with a couple of things available on the facelift that weren't previously available on the part can cars, it would appear more options were ticked from new on older cars

Signums were only available in Exclusiv, Elegance, Design and Elite spec, Vectra had considerably more spec versions

26

General Car Chat / Re: As i managed to kill the Desmond...

« on: 17 December 2018, 08:58:20 »

The 3.2 in the Signum/ Vectra C is not the same as the Omega (hence Y & Z engine code)

The latter supposedly has less power, but with the 5 speed autobox, my Signum was quicker than my Omega - had both 3.2s for a while.

the Z32 has a precat in each of the manifolds that the Omega doesn't and it goes to a single pipe just after the manifolds with a 3rd cat

Coil packs are the same and have the same issues and same oil cooler and cam cover gasket problems.

It doesn't have the bagpipes and twin butterfly throttle body, just single butterfly and the multi ram is different - you can take the top off and have a proper look and clean inside

3.2 Signums all had 314mm diameter front brakes early Vectra Cs had 308s, and at some point they changed to 314mm but there is no definite point this happened.

The 3.2 has an option of the AF32 autobox and it has issues with the gearbox oil heat exchanger in the main radiator, the seals fail and water gets into the box which kills it, the only resolution is full core rebuild or new box - 7 years ago this was over £2k - mine was done under warranty - new boxes didn't exist then so now a decent box will be almost impossible to find

Even with the auto box it spins the front wheels really easily in the wet and understeers like nothing on earth - a set of Eibach springs made a huge difference to the handling and was the best thing I did to it

The dropped the 3.2 when the cars went full canbus, this happend very late in the prefacelift and can tell by buttons (part can) or scroll wheels (full can) steering wheel controls for the stereo - also headunits changed from NCDC to CD reference

My 3.2 was written off when a lorry drove into it so I replaced it with the Elite spec 2,8 V6 turbo Signum - basically the de-tuned VXR - this one has the bullet proof AF40 6 speed box - VXRs and the Elite spec cars come in manual and auto - its got full leather, colour sat nav, bluetooth phone, TPMS, electric windows all round, electric mirrors, factory fit parking sensors front and rear and duel circuit climate control amongst other things. Its a March 2006, but was forst registered 20th March 2006 so comes into the lower RFL band, the same as the Omega, not the £500+ band

They NEVER made a Signum VXR so anyone selling one is talking balls.

They never made a prefacelift 2.8 turbo in either Signum or Vectra C

The VXRs were 250 and later 280bhp, Elite spec Signums and Vectra Cs were 230 and 250bhp. The only difference in early cars was the engine map, later cars (250 & 280bhp cars) had a different cam profile and air box, but its the same basic block on all.

My 2.8 Signum is much much quicker than the 3.2 and thanks to a simple Superchips Bluefin semi custom re-map, its pushing near VXR power - with non switchable TC/ ESP and auto box its almost impossible to RR for exact figures, but, even with the auto box it will do 60 in under 6 seconds and give 330 BMWs a run for their money in a straight line!

It spins the fronts in the wet but with OEM 18" wheels the handling is better, due to snapped springs its got Eibachs again on the rear but haven't got round to changing the fronts or all the powerflex bushes.

I've had it for 5 years and was using it as a daily driver, but its now time so my Signum is going up for sale, only looking at £1500-1600 for it with loads of spare parts, as with the Omega it isn't getting used so off it goes. A lot of car for not much money

If you want a diesel, bin off the Vauxhall option and get a late Alfa 156 16v JTD multijet- same 150 brake Fiat engine, BUT doesn't have the crappy M32 6 speed box, doesn't have a DPF and oddly doesn't have the problematic swirl flaps. Just be warned, the 156 was also available as a 16v 140 brake 5 speed - avoid this at all costs

27

Cars for Sale & wanted / F/S Omega 3.2 V6 Elite Estate 2002

« on: 14 December 2018, 11:29:44 »

Its time to sell on my Omega after 5 years, its not getting used and due to other vehicles is actually surplus to requirements 

Its a 2002 3.2V6 Elite spec estate in the very very rare silver.

First registered in March 2002 - currently having its cherished number transfered off, fairly sure its a 52 plate but will confirm once paperwork complete

I bought it 5 years ago with around 105k on the clock, its now done 122k, its only really used for odd weekends and a bit of boat towing

Starts on the button even after being sat for a while

Runs and drives exceptionally well with no EML or other warning lights. Since I've owned it its been run on fully synthetic oil, originally Mobil 1 but later changed to GM Dexos2 5W30 and changed each year regardless of how few miles its does

17" alloys - had 4 new Avon tyres fitted last August that have covered less than 5K

MOT'd until 23rd April 2019

Being a facelift customer car obviously it has an auto box which is smooth even in sport under WOT

Full elite spec

Full leather in excellent condition

Electric memory seats and mirrors all work as they should

All four heated seats work

Has photo-chromatic rear view mirror that works

Full HIDs and self levelling headlights - washers also still work

Cruise control

Electric windows all round

Rear load cover in place and working, also has the vertical net mesh thing that hooks into the holes in the roof

Has the Irmscher rear boot spoiler

NCDC sat nav with half height GID all in working order along with the CD multichanger

Recent new aux belt and tensioner bearing

Fitted with fixed towbar

Has a spot of rust under rear wiper arm and by bottom or rear doors along with a cosmetic scuff on the front bumper

Timing belt, tensioner and water pump was replaced not long after I bought it, so although its done less than 20k it could be due for renewal soon.

As this is my 4th and Last Omega I'm also chucking in all the spare bits I've purchased over the years that can be included or price negotiated and not included:-

Pair of new front wishbones
A few pairs of cam cover gaskets
Tubes of GM black sealant
Front and rear crank seals
Powerflex bushes for wishbones
Spare NCDC with half height GID, sat nav disk and security code
2 other spare NCDCs and various screens that do and don't work for spares (one headunit was from a prefacelift Signum)
Some door cards - from saloons so the fronts fit the rears don't
Think I also have a set of spark plugs and air and pollen filter and a few other switch parts

Comes with two keys

As above its currently on a cherished registration which is NOT included in the sale, so currently awaiting new V5 documents

Will take some photos Sunday when I'll be home in the daylight

Located in Essex 2 miles form Jct 30/31 M25

All this for the give away price of £500, but open to offers

28

General Car Chat / Re: Viezu remap.

« on: 06 January 2017, 09:59:39 »

The signum is souped-up to the maximum safe limit already. If there was more power to be had with the existing set up, GM would have done it.

That statement couldn't be further form the truth

Signum (and elite spec Vectra) is 230 or 250bhp, the latter VXR Vectra is 280bhp, GM did up the power with the existing set up - its the middle management image of the Signum that meant there was never a VXR 'souped up' version, no mechanical reason

.....No end of problems.....

The eml light and limp mode at the most inappropriate times were never far away. Returned the car to 250 BHP /258 lb ft torque stock. No problems since.

Which did you go for?

I've had a Bluefin on mine for close on 40k over 2 years now, I had to download the map that was on the car, emailed it over, they sent one back and away we went.

What a remap does highlight is components on their last legs, also the plug gap was changed on the later VXRs to 0.7mm, I changed and re-gapped  my plugs and its been fine ever since

 Plus it runs a shed load better on higher octane fuel, I use Momentum99, when I have run it on standard BP or Shell and even on Vpower there is a noticeable stutter on hard acceleration on a very rare occasion but for the cost of 99 I'd rather not have the issue

29

General Car Chat / Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T

« on: 22 April 2016, 17:50:43 »

Mines on  114k with no fluid change, but if I do press on changing gear alot and the engine gets hot it can get a little clunky suggesting the oil is thinning at high temps and could do with a swap.

I'm sure I read somewhere that in warm or dusty regions it should be done every 80k, but that might of been when I had the old Signum with the AF33 as I can't find the information anywhere.

Would be careful as GM did change fluid levels in various autoboxes in the Vectra C/ Signum over the years because of problems and not sure if the AF40 was one of them

30

General Discussion Area / Re: Timber question

« on: 18 March 2016, 08:33:22 »

.......The vacuum tank is called an autoclave unit...

.....If you can afford them, get hardwood posts...

Isn't an autoclave unit only when there is a heat differential requirement for curing or steam injection, so as the preservative isn't heated technically its not an autoclave, the wood leaves the treatment tank dripping wet, so its just a vacuum pressure vessel

And no you don't want to restrict yourself to hardwood, Douglas Fir is commonly used in fencing as its very strong and a softwood, Balsa is a hard wood, obvious which one you want.

Western red cedar is a softwood but contains a natural fungicide and that's why it can be used externally with no treatment at all for many many years - cedar shingles on roof being one main use

What you actually want on a cost/ availability basis is a close grain slow grown redwood which has been pressure treated.


If you can afford fence posts made out of hardwood like Iroko (which is commonly used in window and door cills), you will be loaded enough to have a metal fence