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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: terry paget on 29 December 2018, 11:07:22

Title: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: terry paget on 29 December 2018, 11:07:22
I was dismayed to read that I should adjust my Astra tappets after 100,000 miles. Why are they not hydraulic, like on Omegas?
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Nick W on 29 December 2018, 11:22:34
I was dismayed to read that I should adjust my Astra tappets after 100,000 miles. Why are they not hydraulic, like on Omegas?


Why dismayed? It's a simple job that most cars will need once .
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2018, 11:59:47
It was an old tech, underpowered engine that GM kept ploughing on with.  But it is quite reliable.

Personally, I'd check them more often.  Bit of a ballache, but keeps it running perfectly.
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: terry paget on 29 December 2018, 12:23:57
I was dismayed to read that I should adjust my Astra tappets after 100,000 miles. Why are they not hydraulic, like on Omegas?


Why dismayed? It's a simple job that most cars will need once .
True enough. On my Austin Mini I had the head off every year to decoke it and regrind the exhaust valves, and part of the reasssembly was tappet adjustment.
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: terry paget on 29 December 2018, 12:24:52
It was an old tech, underpowered engine that GM kept ploughing on with.  But it is quite reliable.

Personally, I'd check them more often.  Bit of a ballache, but keeps it running perfectly.
Thank you. I thought it was a new engine, with its variable valve timing.
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 29 December 2018, 16:13:06
I was dismayed to read that I should adjust my Astra tappets after 100,000 miles. Why are they not hydraulic, like on Omegas?
Just be thankful that it's not an early Cologne lump... Originally a 6k mile job... Later a heady 12k mile job on later cars with it  :o
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Nick W on 29 December 2018, 16:23:41
I was dismayed to read that I should adjust my Astra tappets after 100,000 miles. Why are they not hydraulic, like on Omegas?
Just be thankful that it's not an early Cologne lump... Originally a 6k mile job... Later a heady 12k mile job on later cars with it  :o


Takes about fifteen minutes. Checking them every 24k seemed about right to me. Most Colognes will need new valve cover gaskets at that mileage anyway. They're even filthier than a Vauxhall one.
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 29 December 2018, 16:24:27
I used to wait until it started to rattle  :-X
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Nick W on 29 December 2018, 16:28:19
I used to wait until it started to rattle  :-X


Same thing really ;D
An Essex on the other hand, needs them doing monthly. Especially if it has had the essential inlet manifold modification.
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Andy B on 29 December 2018, 21:02:14
..... Why are they not hydraulic, like on Omegas?

The diseasal Astra G I had, had hydraulic tappets/lifters ..... I think  ??? It was a 1700 of about 2000 vintage
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: terry paget on 30 December 2018, 11:19:35
On my first car, an Austin Mini 850 in 1960, the owner's handbook put adjusting valve clearances alongside adjusting tyre pressures, and it was about as easy. On the 1.6 Astra Haynes gives it 4 spanners just to check them, and 4 spanners more to adjust them, along with fitting a new cam belt and oil seals. That don't sound like a 15 minute job. Is there a short cut, or are you guys pulling my leg?
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: ronnyd on 30 December 2018, 12:21:56
Just invest in some earplugs Terry. :D
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 02 January 2019, 07:34:31
What engine is this on?
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: terry paget on 02 January 2019, 10:04:30
What engine is this on?
1.6 petrol. I have 2008 and 2010 versions, both manual.
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 02 January 2019, 15:24:13
Based on how they work, if the clearance needs adjustment then either the cam or follower is worn or the valve recessed into the cylinder head, what are the symptoms?
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: terry paget on 02 January 2019, 17:36:31
Based on how they work, if the clearance needs adjustment then either the cam or follower is worn or the valve recessed into the cylinder head, what are the symptoms?
No symptons save the odometer readings. Both cars running perfectly well, one mileage is 110,000, other is 160,000. Haynes states at 100,000 miles I must check and adjust the valve clearances. Both cars had cam belts changed at about 100,000 miles, neither had valve clearances checked or adjusted. Measurable wear seems unlikely, neither car is rattling.

Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: henryd on 02 January 2019, 18:18:21
On cars of that age Terry, if it isn't broken I wouldnt fix it :y
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 02 January 2019, 18:40:46
On cars of that age Terry, if it isn't broken I wouldnt fix it :y

Second that!  :y
Title: Re: Why doesn't the Astra have hydraulic lifters?
Post by: andyc on 02 January 2019, 18:46:47
The only modern Vauxhall engine that did not have hydro lifters was the 17TD isuzu engine. All the petrol engines have hydro lifters

Andy