Supernaut's Cars - E36 323i / mk3 Megane / S1 Land Rover

[JakeT]

A 75° would be a bit too cool to me. I think early M50s were 88° and then in the 90s on later cars. An 88° is a good compromise.

[Supernaut]

Well at least the Astra seems happier.

The new intake air temperature sensor / MAF / whatever has improved the driving experience. Way better throttle response, no more weird rev hanging between gears. Lovely.

 

 

I'll say this quietly but I ordered an aluminium thermostat housing for the BMW last night.

However, I just drove past the local petrol station in the Astra and upon seeing the prices lost any sense of urgency with the BMW.

£1.47 per litre for standard petrol!

[Supernaut]

Scratch that.

I got limp mode again yesterday evening.

It seems to be fine on the open road, but stopping in traffic while it's already up to temperature results in it throwing a hissy fit. A quick off and on clears it again.

[Looks at for sale section]

[Split_Pin]

I haven't read back but did you clean the throttle body?

Also, did you do the pedal test to look for other codes?

I had a similar although less acute issue with my Z18XE. Thankfully it didn't get bad enough for me to investigate further before I sold the car.

Another thing to try is to clean the throttle potentiometer at the pedal.

 

[Supernaut]

The first things I did were to clean the throttle body and I took apart the pedal and sprayed a good dose of contact cleaner over the potentiometer.

 

What's this pedal test you speak of?

I've seen the pedal test mentioned on a couple of Vauxhall forums but that's all. They just say "pedal test" without even a hint as to what it is! I suppose seasoned Vauxhall owners know what it is though.

[Split_Pin]

I can't remember how to do it now as it's been years but if you Google Vauxhall Pedal Test there are lots of guides and videos.

I do however remember that you need to be Quickdraw  McGraw with a pencil and paper to write the codes down as the EML flashes them out.

[Supernaut]

Might be something to look into.

I drove to the local town (about 8 miles) this morning.

It went into limp mode when crawling around while warm. As usual.

It stayed in limp mode after I'd parked it for almost an hour and it was cold again.

Hmmmmm.

I unplugged the whatever sensor on the intake and all was well. It went like fuck all the way home.

When it's running at "full" power it's surprisingly keen for just a 1.6

[Supernaut]

The pedal test on the Astra revealed but one code - for the cooling fan relay.

I was aware of this already thanks to the tame mechanic's diagnostic tablet. He said I could probably ignore it buuuuut I feel like I should investigate further. I've found a few posts on Vauxhall forums pointing out which fuses and relays to inspect.

 

 

I also got a refund from parts in motion with no questions asked when I sent them a photo of that BMW thermostat housing that cracked. Nae bad!

 

 

Been kind of busy all morning helping cut up a massive willow tree that came down a few weeks ago. Knackered now, but got half a trailer of firewood and there's still more left!

[Supernaut]

"Relays 2 and 6 are for the fan."

Err...

[Split_Pin]

I think post 2001 MK4s have a coolant control module instead which seems to control the fan, guage and possibly the fuelling. Basically a cooling system ECU, like this:

 

Although usually when they go senile the cooling fan is roaring away at full speed all the time.

[Supernaut]

On 23/02/2024 at 14:56, Split_Pin said:

I think post 2001 MK4s have a coolant control module instead which seems to control the fan, guage and possibly the fuelling. Basically a cooling system ECU, like this:

 

Although usually when they go senile the cooling fan is roaring away at full speed all the time.

Well then!

When I was just accelerating hard up a long hill on the way home 5 minutes ago, the temperature gauge dropped to a quarter then slowly worked its way back up to just under a half...

No limp mode, but I still frowned at it and thought "that ain't right..."

I've seen mention of these cooling control units before, and they're apparently down behind the bumper. I had a quick look but I think I'll wait until it's all cooled down in the engine bay.

[Supernaut]

I really hope I win a raffle soon.

If this were a non twinport it would have a circa £10 relay for the cooling fan.

The twinport model has an entire fucking ECU that costs £50+ used, from Lithuania.

The EGR valve is also way more complex and is water cooled.

 

All this for an extra, what, 5? 10 horsepower?

 

Get tae fuck.

I'm not fixing this car. I'll drive it until it explodes. Stupid cunt of a thing.

Have you ever noticed how few mid-2000s Vauxhalls you see with the twinport badge on the boot? This is why.

[Split_Pin]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386404596869?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=npYheZPtRx6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ZRO7rX7WRjq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

All to do with emissions I believe. 

[Supernaut]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386404596869?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=npYheZPtRx6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ZRO7rX7WRjq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

All to do with emissions I believe. 

Your ebay-fu is stronger than mine, sensai.

[Tayne]

2 hours ago, Supernaut said:

 

 

Get tae fuck.

I'm not fixing this car. I'll drive it until it explodes. Stupid cunt of a thing.

 

 

Such a strong rection makes me think you might also be Luton-intolerent.

[Supernaut]

Just now, Tayne said:

 

Such a strong rection makes me think you might also be Luton-intolerent.

Were Vauxhalls built in Luton...?

 

I'm just a wee bit annoyed in general. I got rid of an ungrateful Clio that I wanted to run for a while for this, which is proving more difficult to maintain than I thought.

[Split_Pin]

Astras were Ellsmere Port.

[captain_70s]

42 minutes ago, Supernaut said:

I'm just a wee bit annoyed in general. I got rid of an ungrateful Clio that I wanted to run for a while for this, which is proving more difficult to maintain than I thought.

Old cars innit.

It's why most people have <5 year old cars on finance. Hassle free appliance for doing an personal transport.

[Supernaut]

Old BMWs and incontinent cooling systems. Name a more iconic duo.

The shiny new thermostat housing does not leak.

However, the small hose connected to the bottom of the expansion tank does leak.

When I discovered this I quietly drained the coolant and put it all in a big bottle. Then I picked up everything I had dismantled in the engine bay and put it in the boot. I then closed the boot and the bonnet and walked the fuck away.

Said expansion tank and radiator are only under 2 years old.

 

It might see the road in March. Maybe April.

[Split_Pin]

It's always handy to have a big box of snakes coolant hose offcuts just in case. I don't think I've ever bought a a bespoke bit of hose for many years.

[Supernaut]

5 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

It's always handy to have a big box of snakes coolant hose offcuts just in case. I don't think I've ever bought a a bespoke bit of hose for many years.

Ha!

That won't help.

It's a small diameter hose connected to the bottom of the expansion tank which then disappears back along the chassis leg, under the intake.

I may try cutting a wee bit off the end and reattaching the hose.

Another day.

 

I've pulled the Astra into the shed so I can look up in behind the bumper for this cooling module doowhacker after lunch.

[Split_Pin]

9 minutes ago, Supernaut said:

I may try cutting a wee bit off the end and reattaching the hose.

I did this with the TT when I saw the price of a new hose, worked fine.

[Supernaut]

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

I did this with the TT when I saw the price of a new hose, worked fine.

Aye, might be possible.

 

I've had the Astra up on a jack (and stand) and all I can find in the front left corner is a fog lamp and the screenwash bottle.

I've found tons of forum posts all saying basically "aye it's in behind the front bumper, really easy to find!"

Horseshit.

I confirmed the fan works by unplugging the temperature sensor on the thermostat housing and turning on the ignition.

I also want to persevere with this car now because, having been under it, I can confirm it's still fairly solid. Quite obviously an English car, not a Scottish car.

I may phone the tame mechanic next. He said he served his time on Astra Gs.

[Split_Pin]

This help?

 

It's behind the front bumper. If you remove the bumper you can see it better.

[Supernaut]

1 minute ago, Split_Pin said:

This help?

 

Yeah, no.

It ain't there.

I spent half an hour staring at the bottom of a foglight and the screenwash bottle. There's nothing else in there. It's really odd.

[Split_Pin]

It's well hidden (thanks Vauxhall), see amended post above.

[Supernaut]

Did some more silly bullshit at the men's shed today. I've figured out cutting outlines right through the material...

 

Oh. Also, I'm a total car hypochondriac. The BMW was not leaking coolant. I just thought the overspill dribbling past that pipe (from the cap and bleed screw directly above) was actually the pipe leaking.

Duh.

It now has coolant in it and a weak heater. Probably needs a drive to sort it out. Fuel level is almost on the light, and I'd rather put it in with the tame mechanic for a pre-MOT first.

So that's the next stage.

 

 

Random thought; is automotive grade spray paint compatible with MDF? That sign above is made from a random offcut of MDF. I might spice it up with some colour...

[Split_Pin]

I have sprayed all sorts of materials with car paint including wood and cement 🤣

[Supernaut]

I suppose I should add that the Astra continues to randomly be a dickhead.

It goes into limp mode regardless of whether the intake temperature sensor is plugged in. Only if it's properly hot and I slow right down or stop, then start again.

Yeah, I still need to take the front bumper off and look for that cooling control module thingy. Perhaps tomorrow, got plenty time on my hands at the moment.

 

It does go well though, when not limping. I kind of love/hate it so just drive it everywhere utterly flat-out.

[grogee]

17 minutes ago, Supernaut said:

I suppose I should add that the Astra continues to randomly be a dickhead.

It goes into limp mode regardless of whether the intake temperature sensor is plugged in. Only if it's properly hot and I slow right down or stop, then start again.

Yeah, I still need to take the front bumper off and look for that cooling control module thingy. Perhaps tomorrow, got plenty time on my hands at the moment.

 

It does go well though, when not limping. I kind of love/hate it so just drive it everywhere utterly flat-out.

Absolutely, you must punish its dickhead behaviour by revving it to within an inch of its life. It's the only language they understand. 

I love the MenShed art piece, very nice.