Vectra B DIY service

[Squire_Dawson]

One of my old customers has asked me if I could do an oil & filter change, coolant flush and change on his 2001 1.8 Vectra B. Also maybe spark plugs. I want to be comfortable that I can actually manage to do it all on such a modern car before I say yes - if it was a Viva I'd be on it straight away! Can any shiters offer me a few pointers?

 

It's not so much the renewal of oil & filter etc that bothers me, it's more me wondering if there are any sensors or electrics I will have to deal with in the process, i.e. a general paranoia about working on something built post-1990.

[Junkman]

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, but that's just my instinct, not a suggestion.

However, I think the only thing you have to deal with, when it comes to witchwork, is resetting the service interval.

[dave21478]

No, Nothing to worry about as far as servicing goes. Its all pretty basic.

[Squire_Dawson]

Thanks folks, only reason I'm considering doing it is it'll be a bit of welcome beer money for me under my present circs, I'll go and see if the library has a HBOL and do some further reading.

[beko1987]

If its like SWMBO's 1.6 Meriva then dump the oil, change the oil filter (up the front on the 1.6, make sure the exhaust is cold), new oil.

Stupid plastic engine cover off, then there may be a long plastic thing over the spark plugs, unplug that, remove the bolts and it lifts out, and theres the spark plugs. You'll need torx bits for this.

 

Service light is simple, but I googled it last time I needed it and cant remember the process .Something like key to position 2 whilst holding the trip reset or something, may be different on a vectra b to a meriva A.

 

Either way, fairly simples. 

[Bren]

As straightforward as a modern can get..

 

It could be worse - it could be a V6, and he could have asked you to do the timing belts.

[sierraman]

I might be a bit wary but if say you failed to tighten a lug nut properly for example, and there was an accident you could be held liable if it was done for reward - you were employed to do it. Garages have to pay liability insurance to cover such an eventuality.

[Squire_Dawson]

Thanks chaps for the comments - all duly noted.

[Pillock]

As a car gets less reliable I start to refuse to do simple things in case there's a catastrophic failure the day after. It wouldn't be my fault but I would feel bad as the last person to do it.

 

Vectra probably won't be bad. I wouldn't service a Laguna or an Avantime. I probably would a Fiesta or whatever.