The Vectra failed its MOT last week on number plate bulb, Emisions too high on fast idle, Lambda reading too high on second pass, major exhaust leak from the backbox, nearside handbrake little or no function, hand brake lever having no extra travel.
She's been sitting for a long time at the back of a dealership so I was expecting the worst. The exhaust system is actually very new but where its sat, the joints had gone around the backbox and on the centre pipe. The tester reckoned this may well be causing the high o2 reading as exhaust leaks can apparently do this so for the sake of 80 quid, it now has a full catback system. When I took the old exhaust off,I found that there was no doughnut in the middle at all. (There is a metal fibre one that's supposed to be in there to allow for flex) I have also serviced it, replaced the plugs and I took it for a long blat up the A45 with super octane petrol in and in 3rd and fourth gear to get the lambda red hot and burn off any crap.
I pulled off the rear discs (same as the Omega) and sure enough, there was no friction material left and a big groove worn into them, so for £50, I replaced the lot. I've now tightened up the cable so that I've only got two clicks to lock. You can only test so far but set the handbrake with the wheels on the ground and then jacked up and can't move them. It also handbrake turns nicely now.
I have also replaced the bulb, so here's hoping...
