03 Astra (Mk 4) Problems

jonuk7

kitchpoo wrote:

K&N 57i kit causes some problems to the 1.6, the engine bay of the Ecotec engines is quite high, and the K&N system takes in too much air. If the filter is dirty and not doing its job properly it could be a result of particles getting in to the air mass meter (the black tube between the air filter and the throttle housing).

If you want more performance form the 1.6 - look up the Vectra C air intake pipe modification and fit a K&N panel filter - most people find this provides a better performance as it doesnt intake as much warm air.

ill have a look in that tube tommorow but the filter itself isnt dirty as i only cleaned it just before new year. so simply could the problems im getting be a result of this filter? as its only 6 months old so surely i could have K&N fix the problems as its there equipment that has caused the damge/problem?

Lorian

jonuk7 wrote:

ill be driving "normally" within the limits etc then at the 2500rpm upto about 3000/3500rpm it will kangaroo quite harshly and at this point if i dip the cluth or have to stop and drop the cluth the car cuts out, sometimes it will restart and be fine but moreso it will not restart as it should, when i manage to get it going i need to either sit and rev the hell out of it (i mean upto the 6000rpm)

I'm not a mechanic, but I've owned 4 vauxhalls and 3 out of four have had similar symptoms. In each case the cause has been a sticking Idle Air Control Valve. They get gummy from the oil that recirculates though the front breather pipe on the engine. The only Vauxall I had that didn't do this was one fixes with a filter on the breathing pipe (I still have it somewhere, PM me if you want the part number it's only about £5)

When they get gummed up you can take them off and clean them (takes me about an hour to do this, and get quite messy) but they always fail again after a few months with no filter. The last new one I bought (before fitting the filter, some years ago) vost about £150. You usually can only by the valve with a new servo included.



Of course it could be somthing else, like the pump, but my money is on the IAC Valve. Any competent Vauxhall tech will not about this fault, but dare I say I have experienced them trying to avoid replacing the part until after the warranty had expired.

jonuk7

Lorian - Cheers for that ive PM'd you, also would this solve the "Emissions" light problem on the dash? and therfore putting the car back to "normal"? going to do the change recomended by Kitchpoo too and get a panel filter in there with the vectra mods.
Cheers

kitchpoo

Sorry - forgot it may well also be the IACV - this tends to have similar characteristic failure to the AMM. But IACV shouldnt effect the emissions light coming on.

jonuk7

so if i go for changing the IACV and hopefully this will sort the problem, then if not go for the AMM (will change that anyway at some point any way even if option 1 works) but hopefully one of these too options will fix the dam thing lol, also may sound sill but are these easy to do yourself or is it a garage job?
Cheers for all the help guys

kitchpoo

Both can be done yourself, AMM is a 10 minute swap, especially if you have the K&N on. ps - I really would consider putting the 57i on Ebay and buying the Vectra intake pipe and a panel filter for £30 all-in at that stage too.

I still think it may be the emissions sensor, and to SAVE throwing money away, would diagnose it first. I have a contact in Notts and will PM him for advice on where he goes for TechII readings (ps - non VX dealerships wont charge you £45 - normally no more than £20)

I;ve edited my last response, I have not had an instance of IACV resulting in the emissions light coming on.

jonuk7

thank you very much, is it just the pipe from the air box to the housing i need off the vectra? if so i know you said Vectra C but what year is that? and does engine size etc matter? is it worth putting the new pipe on from the front above the radiator that "Brings cold air" to the intake or leave the K&N Flexi hose on there? and finally for the IACV and the AMM would you personally get them from VX or ebay or halfords sort of thing?
Thanks guys really appreciate all this help.

jonuk7

just re-reading the last bit you added kitchpoo, would the AMM make the emisions light come on? like i say ill change them both anyway but if its more likely to be the AMM ill do this one first.

kitchpoo

Ok - for the Vec C pip e- this is a petrol 2002 onwards Vectra Pipe - on the link provided is the part numbers you require.

Main Pipe. - 9177099
Adaptor to Airbox. - 9177104

the cheapest place for both is the main dealer at around £15

I would remove the K&N feed, I removed mine after a collegue ended up with major engine work (actually a new engine) after the low fitted air intake took in water from a large puddle and fed it through in to the system!

The pipes are easy to fit, take about 1 hour if you really take your time.

The airbox itself can also be modified - there is a pipe on the inside that unclips and increases airflow and direction.

many people ask why this wasnt done as factory standard - mainly for noise and cost reasons - the airbox was restricted to cut noise, and the pipe width was deemed adequate.

As for the AMM and IACV, I would call LMF and see what their prices are first - LMF Vauxhall - speak to Steve Crook - and mention astrasport.co.uk for a little favour. http://www.lmfvauxhall.com/content/default.aspx or http://www.vauxallparts.co.uk/

kitchpoo

AMM is around £117 from vauxallparts Hence why i really would diagnose it first. OR take one off a known working car and try it on yours - it really is stupidly simple to swap over.

You have PM regarding a Notts contact - but i am off to sleep now. Good luck with the car and let me know if you work it out.