Trying to find out common car faults for Vauxhall Astra (mark 5)

fannyanna

Hi All,

Hubby and I have today seen a Vauxhall Astra (mark 5 version) that we'd like to buy.

We've carried out some checks tonight (looking to see if it's stolen, got finance, insurance write off etc) which have come back clean and have got an insurance quote which we're happy with.

We noticed a couple of minor things when we took the car for a spin (garage are happy to sort these - will be MOTing and servicing the car too) but my Dad is also going to have a look at it tomorrow. Whilst he's not a mechanic by profession he does know his way around a car and carries out some car repairs etc.

He's asked us to find out what common problems are with the car (as every car has) so that he can make sure to look out specifically for them.

I've tried googling to get a list of common faults but I can't seem to find any information so I wondered if any of you would be able to assist (either being an Astra Guru and knowing all the answers or being able to point me to a useful website).

Any help is greatly appreciated.

ROY47

2 to have a look at

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/vauxhall/astra-h-2004/?section=bad

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2010/04/horn_doesnt_warn.html?page=16

all cars have good and bad bits ,if you read everything on internet about problems with cars ,we'd never buy one

mikey72

What year and what engine are you looking at?

fannyanna

mikey72 wrote: »

What year and what engine are you looking at?

It's a 54 plate Astra 1.4 16v

fannyanna

ROY47 wrote: »

2 to have a look at

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/vauxhall/astra-h-2004/?section=bad

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2010/04/horn_doesnt_warn.html?page=16

all cars have good and bad bits ,if you read everything on internet about problems with cars ,we'd never buy one

I appreciate all cars have faults but just want to know to look out for anything specific which is common to the car.

Thanks for the links. I will have a look at them both.

pompeyfaith

Try here being an Astra Owners Club they will know them inside out and all common faults etc

http://www.astraownersclub.com/vb/

mikey72

I don't think there were any great problems. It may even have a timing chain rather than a belt, so maybe nothing to change later as well.

jase1

The 1.4 Corsa has quite a nasty problem with snapping camshafts -- it might be worth looking into whether the 1.4 Astra is the same engine (I'm not sure one way or the other).

EDIT: From Honest John:

"1.4 16v Twinport engines suffering same problem of camshaft bolts coming adrift as 1.2 16v Twinport engines in Corsas. Seem to have been traced to a batch from the engine plant in Spain and the engine numbers all begin with 19F*****"

and

"1.2 16v seems to suffer a lot of camshaft failures. Cause of camshaft fracture, loose Camshaft Bearing Bolts. These bolts need checking by an independent Mechanic, all bolts (There are 20) should be tightened to a minimum of 8Nm, if not they will slowly vibrate loose over the passage of time and miles and put undue stress on the rotating camshaft causing it to fracture. These bolts can be checked in about 30 mins - cost approx £40."

One to look out for.

fannyanna

Thanks Jase1.

So definately worth me making sure the cambelt has already been changed and if not insisting that they cover it in the service that they will be doing.

jase1

Well I think they're actually chain-cam units these engines -- it seems to be the bolts that are the problem rather than the cam-chain itself.

The earlier 1.4 (which had a cam-belt -- I don't think you car would have that engine) had plastic tensioner pulleys and was indeed prone to failure of these parts.

In either case, proper servicing should avoid the issue. I'd be making sure that my mechanic checked these bolts at every service to be sure. New engine = not good.

johnnyroper

fannyanna wrote: »

Thanks Jase1.

So definately worth me making sure the cambelt has already been changed and if not insisting that they cover it in the service that they will be doing.

no cambelt on that model the 1.4 16valve is the chain driven twinport engine.
the problem twinports had was the camshaft bearing cap bolts were incorrectly torqued when they were assembled and over time has been causing camshafts to snap.
vauxhall have recalled models affected by this problem i am fairly sure it was only on the engines fitted to corsa c and not astra h.