Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[JamesV6CDX]

Would appreciate some advice on the following Veccy...

I am thinking that the low coolant and the rough running may be totally unrelated...

First job I guess will be paperclip test - presume I can paperclip an S reg 2.0 Veccy?

Yes, after 3pm on Sunday would be lovely.  I'll assume Jame's will
come here unless you tell me otherwise (not sure how far the car will
drive as I've not used it since it last flunked out on Friday
afternoon!).  Address is ******

As Andrea has said, the car cut out on Friday morning after some
strange rattling noises (?!).  I tried to restart the engine but it
wouldn't fire and then steam came from the bonnet and a burning smell.

The AA man arrived and the water tank was empty.  He filled it and
checked (as I understand it) all of the obvious things - looking for
leaks, air blockages and other things that mean nothing to me.  

The conclusion he came to was that he had no idea how/why it had happened.

I was able to drive home (couple miles through town centre) with no
problems at all.  The car sounded fine.  He advised me to check the
water levels everytime I used the car for at least a week and said if
they were looking low, to take it to a garage for further checks.  The
next time I drove the car was later that day (about 2-3 hours later)
and the water level was at full.

I got halfway down our road and the
car started splutering and making noises.  I felt uncomfortable using
it as I didn't think it likely it would get another half mile before
dying, so drove home and I haven't used it since.  

The car is a Vauxhall Vectra (X 18 XE), S reg (1998).  The engine warning light has
been on for sometime now, but we did pop it into a garage a couple of
months ago and they felt it was nothing to worry about.  We've had no
other problems with the car itself though for some time, but it did
have the engine rebuilt a couple of years ago after the timing belt
went!

James - Hope this is enough info for now - do let me know if you need
anything else!  Home no is ******* if you think of anything.  Thanks
ever so much!

[JamesV6CDX]

I will advise not to use it.. cutting out after "rattling noises" sounds like the cambelt may have slipped

[JamesV6CDX]

Or tensioner fell to bits.. - steam from engine could also be water pump, with these symptoms..

[Admin]

Well from those slightly puzzling posts I would say water pump has probably seized taking out cam belt.

The results may not be pretty....

[JamesV6CDX]

Well from those slightly puzzling posts I would say water pump has probably seized taking out cam belt.

The results may not be pretty....

I sincerely hope not.. but tomorrow will tell!!!

[familyman]

If the car was running okay at first I agree it could be the water pump bearing starting to break up altering the cam belt tension leading to pump seizure and stripped cam belt. Would get it checked before using it any more.   Not an authority on vx's but i have seen this problem lots of times

[Taxi_Driver]

hmmm.....im not convinced on the water pump.....whats the mileage?......my veccyB did 160k before i had the waterpump changed....and there was nothing wrong with it.....just decided to get it changed.....the garage had a hell of a job trying to get the old one out

They say the engne light is on......if its a piccy of the engine.....then this is the emissions light....it is on my veccyB and C also Omega facelift.....might just have an airleak or vac leak......as the case on veccyC this week

Dunno if you can paperclip veccies......there FBW so unsure im afraid  :-/

[JamesV6CDX]

Surely the S reg isn't FBW?

[Taxi_Driver]

Surely the S reg isn't FBW?

Actually thinking about it.....they had a change about 1999......so maybe not  :-/

S reg will make 1998 wont it? Also just noticed its x18xe so should paperclip i think  

[JamesV6CDX]

Surely the S reg isn't FBW?

Actually thinking about it.....they had a change about 1999......so maybe not  :-/

S reg will make 1998 wont it? Also just noticed its x18xe so should paperclip i think  

My thinking too... Phew

[JamesV6CDX]

Dave, Does your cheapo Tech2 talk to the VeccyB? What can it read / not read / reset / do?

I may have to have a quick play tonight, if you're not pushed for time...

[Taxi_Driver]

Yes cheapo tech2 can read veecyB  

Thats why i know its complaining of injector open on cyl 3  

Ive only tried the engine ecu......so dunno what else it can read  :-/

Will have plenty of time tonight

[Taxi_Driver]

BTW diag socket is under plastic trim below handbrake on the early veccies if you didnt know  

[JamesV6CDX]

Yes cheapo tech2 can read veecyB  

Thats why i know its complaining of injector open on cyl 3  

Ive only tried the engine ecu......so dunno what else it can read  :-/

Will have plenty of time tonight

Might have to put it through it's paces... if it's any good, then I'll order one! Thanks for the info on the diag socket, I wouldn't have looked there first!

I've got your torquewrench here - I'm thinking of getting a train up your way after I've diagnosed this poorly Veccy S reg... this evenning..

[Taxi_Driver]

Yes cheapo tech2 can read veecyB  

Thats why i know its complaining of injector open on cyl 3  

Ive only tried the engine ecu......so dunno what else it can read  :-/

Will have plenty of time tonight

Might have to put it through it's paces... if it's any good, then I'll order one! Thanks for the info on the diag socket, I wouldn't have looked there first!

I've got your torquewrench here - I'm thinking of getting a train up your way after I've diagnosed this poorly Veccy S reg... this evenning..

I know, dont rub it in    

VeccyC they decided to hide the diag socket under the ashtray.....

Decent size flat balded screwdriver an the trim will lever up on early veccies revealing the socket and years of rubbish underneath   (you'll see what i mean! )

PM or text me the train arrival time and i'll meet you at the station