GM 1.9 TDI

[pompei]

I've mentioned on here before that my Saab 9-3 has knackered swirl flaps and a damaged inlet manifold which, according to the reading up I've done, is a common fault in these engines.

 

I believe that this is the jointly developed Fiat/GM motor which must have been put in millions of cars. Are they any more or less reliable than other diesels? You hear stories of some diesel engines soldiering on for 300,000 miles. Is this engine noted for durability or is everything else on it likely to break? The forums seem to be either 1. Mine was shit or 2. Mine went forever with no problem, so not much help there.

 

Any insights gratefully received.

[Alexg]

I've sold a couple of Astra 1.9 Diesels that suffered cambelt failure. One at just over 3 years and 30k, one at about 5 years and 50k.

[Cavcraft]

They seem to suffer more sensor problems than anything else. There was a rumour of fuel pumps knackering up (ala the 2.0 DTi models) but I've not seen any that have and they can do a good few miles.

[RoadworkUK]

Is this the same lump as the 1.9 CDTi? If so that's the same unit as my 156 had, a pleasant enough (for a derv) lump to be hauled by, but it was the spectre of miscellaneous dramas that made me wuss out and sell up (at a vast profit). Might be a case of "maintain it properly and it'll be fine". There are zillions of vans across Europe with it so at least there are others in the same boat as you.

 

Ignore me and pelt me with gravel if it's a different engine.

[Albert Ross]

As well as the flaps, there's EGR, DMF, Injectors, Pump, water pump failures (killing cambelts) alternators, turbos, noisy aux belts, and the various sensors. So pretty much anything really. Best avoided.

[MK5 Escort]

I've only personally experienced lower mileage examples of the 1.9CDTi (150). From that I found them to be relatively unrefined compared to the best of the bunch of modern diesels but perfectly acceptable as long as you don't expect modern VAG TDi common rail levels of refinement - which they're certainly not.

 

I had a company 09 plate Vectra for a year(ish) which I covered just short of 40k miles in. I didn't personally have any problems with it at all and proved to be a decent performer as the miles built. We had two other identical models in our depot (one of which was hammered up to 60k by the time I left) and neither required anything other than they're scheduled servicing. I wasn't made aware of issues from our other depots which had about five each either.

 

More than a year has passed since I left, so whether the situation has changed, I can't comment. Up until that point at least, they'd proven to be generally more reliable than they're Ford TDCi equivalents which we had various reports of rough running and leaking/expiring injectors.

 

Water pumps do seem to be an issue with this particular CDTi unit although I've never personally come across one yet. EGR valves is something else which crops up a lot but again, I've not come across one yet with this fault. Not to say they aren't out there - just something I haven't personally come across.

 

Earlier DTi's tend to be more reliable looking at most forums. I know of a 53 plate Movano van which as of six months ago done around 210k and to my knowledge, still going strong today. That's skipped a couple of services too with only one breakdown (electrical - fixed at the roadside).

 

So the decision is yours really. It'll either be a good one or a bad one... ! Pretty much what you didn't want to hear!

[tonedepear]

No insight really, but I've got the same. It's done 30-odd thou now so I'm driving everywhere with my fingers crossed that the cambelt doesn't pop. Apart from a really annoying buzz from some bit of errant trim I can't find at 2300rpm and a seat I can't get comfy in I like it. And yes, it's the same engine as the Fiat/Alfa lot.

 

Incidentally Albert, how much would a fairly local to me Vauxhall type place charge to do a belt and water pump on a 9-3 TiD?

[Lufthansa-Terminal]

As well as the flaps, there's EGR, DMF, Injectors, Pump, water pump failures (killing cambelts) alternators, turbos, noisy aux belts, and the various sensors. So pretty much anything really. Best avoided.

 

Aye this sums up most common cars these days and is why more and more moderns are scrapped. Parts and labour prices can be a fright or beyond reach of some owners.