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[PaulW]

Been a while...

Well, just got myself and the other half a Cat C Astra Eco4 for very few pennies, bodywork and such isn't an issue, but the thing puzzling me is the engine (never really had a Diesel before...)

As there is obviously no history with the car, and the clocks are reading 145k, just wondering what's the best sort of things to do to it.

So far, going to do the following to it:

Timing belt & tensioners
Oil & Filter change
Coolant change
Glow Plugs
Fuel Filter
Ait Filter
Give the EGR valve a good clean.

Anything else worth doing or looking at regarding this engine?  I've already driven it about the lot before I got it, started up fine, no EML or anything untoward, idled spot on and felt solid enough.  Turbo was spooling up just fine, and there were no error codes or anything suspicions looking when reading live data off the engine.  Tiny bit of black smoke under boost when putting my foot down a bit, but I'm just guessing that's fine given the engine wasn't really up to temp.

Cheers for any pointers or tips though

[Jimbob]

Long time no see, saw the car elsewhere....looks a good project 

(lakes meet next weekend too if you fancy it)

[PaulW]

Long time no see, saw the car elsewhere....looks a good project 

(lakes meet next weekend too if you fancy it)

Indeed!  As I still have no Omega, sorta drifted away I guess.  Still randomly browse the forum, but should start posting again!

Can't come the Lakes next weekend Jimbob sorry, planned a weekend of sorts with the lady

She knows I've got a surprise in store for her, but still has no clue that it's a car though, currently she thinks I've got tickets for a gig at the M.E.N. Arena

[PaulW]

Ok, quick update...

Got it home today, seems fine enough!  Radiator has a nice hole in the bottom which I didn't see till I stripped some bits off, header tank also empty so hopefully the 5-10 mins it was running hasn't caused any issues.

No EML codes stored, no faults, or problems stored in any other part (ie, Airbag, ABS, etc etc)

So far looking at:

• Radiator
• A/C Condenser
• Radiator Fans
• Pos. Intercooler (need to check)
• Front crash bar
• Chassis-leg end plates
• Bumper
• Various servicing bits for engine.

Some pictures anyways...










Guessing it was a takeaway delivery car, found about a hundred menu's...


And local paper, with possible date of death  ;D

[Andy B]

A silver Astra G should be easy enough to get hold of, it seems there are millions of them on the road - my drive included 

It's a shame you didn't buy it earlier. It's only a few months ago I sent a road going Astra G to the scrap yard (it was till I robbed the fuel pump for my 'new' Astra G)

[PaulW]

Aye, radiator gubbins and service items are going to be new from VX obviously, but body part bits I can source easy enough 2nd hand, and I can always adapt the bumper from a petrol model to fit the derv easy enough

[Andy B]

... and I can always adapt the bumper from a petrol model to fit the derv easy enough

There's a difference?  :-?

[PaulW]

... and I can always adapt the bumper from a petrol model to fit the derv easy enough

There's a difference?  :-?

There is a bit cut out of the derv bumper due to the intercooler.

[Andy B]

... and I can always adapt the bumper from a petrol model to fit the derv easy enough

There's a difference?  :-?

There is a bit cut out of the derv bumper due to the intercooler.

Ah! OK. 
My silver Astra G is the older 8 valve 1700 diseasal -

[PaulW]

My silver Astra G is the older 8 valve 1700 diseasal -

 

[PaulW]

Ripped both radiator and condenser off just now (rain stopped play...)

Ok, they are both mullered, so need new ones (as I already knew, but wanted to check anyway).

Intercooler is fine though which is nice!  But boost pipes had very oily residue in them... Never had a DTi before, is this normal?? Was enough to "drip" when I took the intercooler off...

Other than that, so far so good, it's not too bad!  Will be sorting out the fronts of the chassis legs over the next few days as long as it stops raining, and sourcing a new radiator (AC condenser will have to wait)

Fun fun fun!  Some pics...






 

[henryd]

Ripped both radiator and condenser off just now (rain stopped play...)

Ok, they are both mullered, so need new ones (as I already knew, but wanted to check anyway).

Intercooler is fine though which is nice!  But boost pipes had very oily residue in them... Never had a DTi before, is this normal?? Was enough to "drip" when I took the intercooler off...

Other than that, so far so good, it's not too bad!  Will be sorting out the fronts of the chassis legs over the next few days as long as it stops raining, and sourcing a new radiator (AC condenser will have to wait)

Fun fun fun!  Some pics...






 

yes

[PaulW]

Bit of an update now (more of a project log perhaps?? Hmmmmm)

Ok so I sourced a new bumper and test fitted it, seems to fit ok, but as the front is still a bit bent, the bonnet won't shut properly with the bumper fitted (the crash bar is sitting too high)


Bought a load of stuff from VX too, so the rebuild can commence!



And I got some free grub and a cool bag from VX too as they have some random summer offer on!


Bought a new iPod controller for my old Alpine stereo... Lost the old one, no doubt it will turn up now I've got a replacement...


Ended up getting a new coolant bottle too, the old one was thick with sludge and crap.  Looks like oil cooler failure, but I checked the oil cooler, it seems to be a new one so maybe previous owner had some oily death, had that sorted, and not long after crashed it? Who knows... The coolant which came out of the old radiator and block was quite good condition.





New radiator, condensor, fans, shrouds, etc etc, all fitted back in place.  Looks semi-decent!


Fired up first time



Need to keep an eye on the coolant though... Going to flush it through again and refill it, as there could be some crap still floating about in the system.  Either way, it went a bit discoloured with a little bit of oil floating in it, but got the engine up to temp, and it didn't get any worse... Who knows, time will tell on this one!


Quite a productive few days really

[Brikhead]

Where is the thermostat on that engine? It might be an idea to replace that whilst your doing the timing belt, perfect opportunity to thoroughly flush the cooling system whilst your at it...

[PaulW]

Thermostat is battery side (opposite end to timing belt) very easy to get to, just a case of removing the battery and battery tray!