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61

General Car Chat / InSP

« on: 19 August 2019, 12:23:20 »

The message InSP popped up on switching on the ignition on my 2008 Astra after yesterday's cam belt change. It also appeared on my 2006 Astra during its MOT test last week. Tester said it meant the car was due for a service. Is there any way I can cancel it?

62

General Car Chat / META System

« on: 18 August 2019, 19:41:21 »

Found this on top of the battery of the Astra I bought last Sunday for my daughter. There's something in the boot too, under the carpet, ahead of the spare wheel well, about the size of a fag packet. Any idea what it might be?

63

General Car Chat / 2006 Astra passed MOT, new track rods fine

« on: 17 August 2019, 08:34:00 »

Yesterday DS06 passed its MOT, with no more advisories about worn track rods.
However, joy was restrained  by an entirely new (to me)  advisory, both rear suspension arm bushes worn. Haynes warns that changing these bushes require several special Vauxhall tools and is best left to a Vauxhall dealer.

64

General Car Chat / Cam belt kit for a 2008 1.6 petrol manual Astra sought

« on: 12 August 2019, 19:13:26 »

I have just bought a 2008 1.6 Astra manual, 108000 miles on the clock and no history of a cam belt change. In April I bought a kit from ECP for £44, but now they want £139.99. Any tips?

65

General Car Chat / Strugging to remove LH steering gaiter clip

« on: 07 August 2019, 09:49:50 »

Astra 1.6 petrol manual
Replacing both complete track rods. Removed the RH gaiter band with small angle grinder, but LH access poor. Any tips?

66

General Car Chat / Coolant loss in Vectra

« on: 05 August 2019, 19:45:54 »

2008 Vectra 1.8 petrol manual hatchback 101,000 miles
Slow coolant loss. I cannot see any leaks, steam, or coolant under car. No damp carpets, I don't think the car has a heater bypass valve. Might it be a cracked header tank pipe conection? I recall DG recommending pricing in a new radiator when I was looking at a used Vectra of similar mileage.

67

General Car Chat / https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-vectra-c-1-8-exclusive/133124668563?ssPageNa

« on: 31 July 2019, 16:26:25 »

Knowle is a suburb south west of Bristol, with the steepest streets I have seen, with terraced houses on both sides. I shall be there Friday on business.
The above advert is interesting in that all the pictures are either sideways or upside down. At £450 could it be a bargain?

68

General Car Chat / £200 for a spare key?

« on: 31 July 2019, 11:33:50 »

Downside Motors, my local Vx dealer, for some reason no longer supply spare Vx keys. I went to Saltford Motors, another Vx dealer, to order one, The receptionist said they could supply, would be about £200, outrageous I said. He fetched the service manager, who was of a similar opinion. I bought my last Omega for £190, I observed, and it gave 4 years trouble free service.

There must be a better way. I see Vx key blanks on e-bay for £4. I expect Timpsons would cut them for me. There remains the synchronised chip. I have many old Vx keys from dead Astras and Omegas, would they contain similar chips? That just leaves the synchronisation. Please advise.

69

General Car Chat / Aircon ceased to work. May I rmove the plumbing?

« on: 28 July 2019, 10:02:33 »

2006 Astra 1.6 petrol manual
I am replacing the hose from water pump to radiator and header tank. Access to the radiator connection is poor. Is there any reason why I should not saw out the aircon hose?

70

General Car Chat / Astra overheating - AA man says water pump or head gasket

« on: 24 July 2019, 14:23:33 »

2010 Astra 1.6 petrol manual hatchback
Son Jonny rang me this morning, car flashing a temperature light. He pulled over , rang me, I said call the AA (he was about 40 miles away).  AA man found header tank cap not tight, so added water and tightened it, all still not well. No obvious hose leak, AA man delivered it home to me, suggesting water pump or head gasket. Car is now in my garage, cooling down.

Please advise.

71

General Car Chat / Will a 2004 Astra hatchback front bumber fit a 2008 Astra estate?

« on: 23 July 2019, 20:44:52 »

2008 Astra estate 1.6 petrol estate
Above car was damaged in collision with another car, damage is mainly front bumper, car is still driveable. I have a dead 2004 Astra saloon with good front bumper. Will it fit?

72

General Car Chat / Vectra aircon working poorly

« on: 16 July 2019, 09:17:55 »

My 2008 101K miles Vectra has failing aircon. Code reader reads aircon pressure 0.3 volts and 100kPa. Is it worth having it regassed?

73

General Car Chat / I need a new car key. My local dealer can no longer supply. Now what?

« on: 09 July 2019, 13:56:54 »

Went to my local Vx dealer to order a new key; he told me he is no longer 'enfranchised', has not a Tech2, so cannot sychronise keys. He is looking for a Tech2 clone to use. Meanwhile what should I do?

74

General Car Chat / Cruise control on my Vectra does not work

« on: 06 July 2019, 08:10:11 »

2008 Vectra 1.8 SRi petrol manual
I bought this car 2 weeks ago. I took it on the M4 yesterday, clicked on the cruise, but nothing happened. I thought on a canbus car with an electonic throttle connection there was nothing that could go wrong with the cruise control. Any suggestions?

75

Omega General Help / Departure of an old friend

« on: 03 July 2019, 15:06:07 »

I have owned this Omega for over 13 years, a record for me, but now it has to go, witnessed by son and grandson. Charles Trent gave me £184 for it, and the friendly driver let my grandson look into his cab.