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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 09 December 2020, 21:44:10

Title: Another Astra J Query
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 09 December 2020, 21:44:10
SWMBO's Astra, not a project.

2011, 1.6 16v. Purchased from a VX Dealer in Bournemouth almost 2 years ago, with 30k miles, and one lady owner - for £6k, which wasn't cheap, but it's a decent car and suits her needs.

Now on (at a guess) maybe 42 or 43k miles.

Symptom as reported "Engine light is on, the picture of the skidding car is on, and it's shaking and running rough".

Plugged in the ODB2 - misfire cylinder 1.

Naturally I'll compression test it, look at the plug and coil / boot - but are there any other known issues with these?

Struggle to believe there will be any valve or compression issue on a car of this mileage with FVSH!

Cheers,
James
 
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: dave the builder on 09 December 2020, 22:24:50
SWMBO's Astra, not a project.

2011, 1.6 16v. Purchased from a VX Dealer in Bournemouth almost 2 years ago, with 30k miles, and one lady owner - for £6k, which wasn't cheap, but it's a decent car and suits her needs.

Now on (at a guess) maybe 42 or 43k miles.

Symptom as reported "Engine light is on, the picture of the skidding car is on, and it's shaking and running rough".

Plugged in the ODB2 - misfire cylinder 1.

Naturally I'll compression test it, look at the plug and coil / boot - but are there any other known issues with these?

Struggle to believe there will be any valve or compression issue on a car of this mileage with FVSH!

Cheers,
James
traction control light ?
some OBD 2 readers only read the engine ecu NOT ABS TC etc
ideally try and read all the modules  ;)

not sure of the engine code of your astra ,but older 1.6 and 1.8 16 valves have a PCV valve in the rocker cover that splits ,if the dipstick is sucking and/or the oil filler, when the engine is running then it could be that
leaking rocker cover into the plug wells, failed coil pack, duff plug etc
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 December 2020, 07:17:03
Coil pack.....
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Nick W on 10 December 2020, 07:37:10
Coil pack.....


that.
Start with the simple stuff first.


What makes you think it has more serious problems?
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 December 2020, 08:20:59
 :y :y

It wont have, pretty bullet proof those engines unless seriously abused, all petrol cars get through coil packs (the French lumps eat them!), with the right kit they can be tested.

Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: polilara on 10 December 2020, 08:53:35
https://www.astraownersnetwork.co.uk/threads/esc-on-and-engine-light-blinking.366126/#post-6182432

Check this, I had something similar. Esc is just a "side effect".
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Nick W on 10 December 2020, 10:03:45
:y :y

It wont have, pretty bullet proof those engines unless seriously abused, all petrol cars get through coil packs (the French lumps eat them!), with the right kit they can be tested.


Exactly
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: STEMO on 10 December 2020, 10:31:45
:y :y

It wont have, pretty bullet proof those engines unless seriously abused, all petrol cars get through coil packs (the French lumps eat them!), with the right kit they can be tested.
My zafira had two in three years.
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 December 2020, 12:23:44
:y :y

It wont have, pretty bullet proof those engines unless seriously abused, all petrol cars get through coil packs (the French lumps eat them!), with the right kit they can be tested.
My zafira had two in three years.

Were you fitting the cheap crap or the OE ones? (as the pattern tatt from the likes of Euroidiot parts dont last long at all).

For any coil pack, find the OE (usually Delphi on the GM ones)
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: STEMO on 10 December 2020, 12:31:54
:y :y

It wont have, pretty bullet proof those engines unless seriously abused, all petrol cars get through coil packs (the French lumps eat them!), with the right kit they can be tested.
My zafira had two in three years.

Were you fitting the cheap crap or the OE ones? (as the pattern tatt from the likes of Euroidiot parts dont last long at all).

For any coil pack, find the OE (usually Delphi on the GM ones)
The garage I took it to were probably fitting cheap crap, first time anyway. Traded it not long after the second one, for an astra H with the same problem  ;D
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 December 2020, 12:45:29
Usually the way, quite a few manufacturers fit individual ones per cylinder and garages ten to just change single ones..........then shortly after another goes.....then another.....and when they fit the cheap ones it can become are real PITA!
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 10 December 2020, 13:01:31
Usually the way, quite a few manufacturers fit individual ones per cylinder and garages ten to just change single ones..........then shortly after another goes.....then another.....and when they fit the cheap ones it can become are real PITA!
Much like VAG injectors then...
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: deviator on 10 December 2020, 13:06:20
:y :y

It wont have, pretty bullet proof those engines unless seriously abused, all petrol cars get through coil packs (the French lumps eat them!), with the right kit they can be tested.
My zafira had two in three years.

Two coils? Or two engines?

Check this, I had something similar. Esc is just a "side effect".

I've seen this before on another brand, I think Ford. A misfire causes the TC light to come on. Something to do with the ECU thinking it can't cut the power when it wants and errors.

Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: polilara on 10 December 2020, 13:22:14
:y :y

It wont have, pretty bullet proof those engines unless seriously abused, all petrol cars get through coil packs (the French lumps eat them!), with the right kit they can be tested.
My zafira had two in three years.

Two coils? Or two engines?

Check this, I had something similar. Esc is just a "side effect".

I've seen this before on another brand, I think Ford. A misfire causes the TC light to come on. Something to do with the ECU thinking it can't cut the power when it wants and errors.

Yes
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: STEMO on 10 December 2020, 15:16:21
Usually the way, quite a few manufacturers fit individual ones per cylinder and garages ten to just change single ones..........then shortly after another goes.....then another.....and when they fit the cheap ones it can become are real PITA!
Much like VAG injectors then...
And Vauxhall diesel glow plugs....at £120 a pop.
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Clarkey on 10 December 2020, 15:41:44
The coil packs on Corsa E & Astra J 1.4 are a regular failure. Fitters hate changing plugs as most times coil pack needed as well. Would not surprise me if 1.6 suffered same issue.
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 December 2020, 15:57:46
The coil packs on Corsa E & Astra J 1.4 are a regular failure. Fitters hate changing plugs as most times coil pack needed as well. Would not surprise me if 1.6 suffered same issue.

Totally different engine and coil pack.

The 1.4 (and 1.2 which is basically the same) are easy to spot as you can see where they get wet then cook the boots, so when you pull them the boots disintegrate and if you look carefully you can see where the arc has eroded the conductor. If you pull one and the boot crumbles, it need replacing anyway.....

1.6 does not suffer the same at all  :y
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: deviator on 10 December 2020, 15:59:15
The coil packs on Corsa E & Astra J 1.4 are a regular failure. Fitters hate changing plugs as most times coil pack needed as well. Would not surprise me if 1.6 suffered same issue.

Isn't the Corsa-E Electric? lol
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 10 December 2020, 16:42:23
The coil packs on Corsa E & Astra J 1.4 are a regular failure. Fitters hate changing plugs as most times coil pack needed as well. Would not surprise me if 1.6 suffered same issue.

Isn't the Corsa-E Electric? lol
That might explain the non starting...  ::)
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 December 2020, 20:08:02
Coil pack.....


that.
Start with the simple stuff first.


What makes you think it has more serious problems?

Absolutely nothing whatsoever - I just like to follow a methodical diagnostic process, and not replace parts based on guessing what could be wrong (as Mr DTM ingrained in me many years ago!) :y

As it happens though, I think you're right about the coil pack.

I eliminated compression - good compression on all cylinders.

Removed the spark plugs, they are all in good condition.

Swapped the plugs between cyls 1 and 4, and the problem did not move  - meaning it's not a spark plug issue either.

Can only leave the coil pack, really - which dropped on the doormat this afternoon, and I'll pop it on tomorrow :y

Car has only done around 35k, the engine looks literally brand new :y
Title: Re: Another Astra J Query
Post by: dave the builder on 15 December 2020, 20:10:34
Nice easy fix then  :)
apart from stumping up the cash for the part ,that bits never easy  :P