Hello all,
I used to have a 2.5v6 CD auto estate some 16 years ago. Fast forward to 2018 and we are considering buying a touring caravan and I fancied something a little retro to tow it with and when I found a 2.6v6 CD auto saloon with a towbar fitted on Auto Trader I had to have a look.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802213949456?radius=30&keywords=towing&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=3000&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=m469qb&transmission=Automatic&sort=sponsored&page=1The car drives very well. The engine is very strong and should still have a lot of life in it at 108k. The gearbox shifts and kicks down well and the different modes work ok. Even the aircon blows fairly cold. The car has "full" history, I say "full" because although it has plenty of stamps in the book, it has gone a couple of years between services on some occasion, though I suspect this is due to it only covering 3 to 4k a year in its later years. Needless to say I'd be giving the engine and gearbox a full service if I bought it, along with fresh oil for the diff. I'd even be changing the indicator stalk to add cruise to make towing easier.
There are a couple of issues I noted on the test drive though and would appreciate any input and advice you could offer.
The car pulls left, but the severity of this isn't affected by breaking. I will most likely have the suspension overhauled and the tracking done, particularly as the shocks were a bit bouncy when I bounced the corners. Is there something that would be top of the list to look at in remedying this? The break discs at the front are well worn and will be getting replaced sooner rather than later if I buy it.
The steering feels a little "lumpy" (stiff, then less so, then stiff again) when turning from lock to lock and in general seems heavier than my daily drive, a Mondeo. I cannot remember the steering of my last omega being heavy and certainly not lumpy. Again, is there usual suspect to look at with the steering?
There was some mayonaise under the oil filler cap. There doesn't seem to be excess pressure in the coolant system which is clean and there is no excess crankcase pressure. Could the mayo be from condensation from shory journeys? I know the V6 motor in a Merc CLK I used to have produced mayo which soon vanished after a long run on the motorway.
My wife sat in the back and said she could hear a noise that increased with speed. I'm suspecting the diff or a wheel bearing. I'm planning on replacing the diff oil anyway if I buy it. Do the wheel bearings tend to go and are they a big job?
One of my main concerns was that both height adjustable seats would not work. Pressing the switch would cause the motor to engage (You could feel it engage and hear the click) but then no movement from the seat and the motor would almost instantly disengage. Is this a common fault and an easy fix?
The only other issue I found was the electric mirrors wouldn't motor right, I suspect the switch and cannot imagine it to be too difficult to fix.
Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. I quite fancy getting back into a big old Vauxhall, but don't want to buy a nail, thanks!
