Needing some wheels in the meantime, and cannot wait until the MV6 has a new engine . Did some car shopping, and have purchased a 2002 Astra G 1.6 16v Dual Fuel Estate in Blue.
Nice car, bought from a dealership. I don't usually use such harsh words, but to be fair, The dealer was a complete lying conning scumbag.
However it wasn't a problem, because after pointing out the error of his ways
I managed to get what is basically a Tidy LPG car, needing a few small jobs, for a price I was happy to pay.
Main problems I noticed were - sluggish on petrol, dire on LPG. EML constantly on.
him: "Well sir, the reason it's sluggish on gas is because the tank is empty".
me: I disagree, there's half a tank in there, and it would go back to petrol automatically when the pressure drops
him: "Trust me mate, I know what I'm on about with these things".
me: "can you get your mechanic to check the fault codes and determine why the EML is on"
him: "there is no fault, it must just be bits in the LPG tank, its because it's been stood, it will go out with a run"
Me (in my head) "I wonder what fault code that
comes under"
me: "when is the cambelt due"
him: "it'll go on forever, no need to touch that..."
Anyhow - other than the above, it's immaculate, the gear change and drivetrain is great, and ride/handling is impressive for the class of car. Lowish miles too.
I negotiated a lower price, took my chance.
Got home on petrol. Replaced the spark plugs (totally worn out NGK rubbish) with some new VX ones, filled the gas tank with new gas, and gave it an italian tuneup.
It's fine now
Fault codes were:
P0353 Ignition Coil 3 High Input B-23
P0354 Ignition Coil 4 High Input B-23
P0443 Evaporative emission control system purge control valve circuit shorted C-28
P0443 Evaporative emission control system purge control valve circuit open C-28
P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected B-22
All historic. I cleared, and EML immediately went out.
Getting there - idle is a TINY bit lumpy on both fuels, moreso on gas - but I will now clean throttle bodies, and do a full service / breather clean when I'm a bit better.... and of course, cambelt and waterpump!