Dull Astra TD (now with PIX)

[AXrescuer]

Why is the later 'GM' engine so badly regarded? I've read that it's derived from their 1980s 1.6 diesel, so that might be why.

Wheezy/asthmatic and prone to head/headgasket FAIL. They just weren't in the same league.I don't know whether GM realised this eventually but it would appear some Mk4s had an Isuzu engine rebadged as 'Ecotec'.IIrc the earlier 1.7 n/a diesels (see Astramax, early Mk3 Astra and possibly others) were based on the 1.6 petrol block and although slow as you like they were incredibly reliable.Later GM (s)lowblow engines as found in 1995-ish onwards Mk3 Astras are the rubbish ones in my experience.

You must have experienced some bad examples then as I've never had a problem with this engine.

[Cavcraft]

I did unfortunately. Last one snapped the cam shaft and was just pretty lame full stop.Conversely I've had a handful of 2.0DTi/Di models which were brilliant.

[Split_Pin]

Only prob with the DTI;s is that if the fuel pump goes is that it costs about £850 or so I have heard.

[Cavcraft]

Only prob with the DTI;s is that if the fuel pump goes is that it costs about £850 or so I have heard.

At least. They're some sort of sealed unit shit thing.Jungle drums are saying there's a bloke in Birmingham somewhere who can fix them now though.

[Milford Cubicle]

Just noticed that it's losing a little water and the radiator's shot, has anybody got one kicking about? Looking on eBay it's specific to the engine - and LDV Convoys.

[Albert Ross]

No radiator here, just a dented tailgate for an Estate. Still has glass in though.

[Milford Cubicle]

My tailgate is a bit rusty, but I think a bit of rust is better than a completely different colour.

[Pete-M]

Only prob with the DTI;s is that if the fuel pump goes is that it costs about £850 or so I have heard.

The 2.0 16v DTi Vectra engines used to grenade regularly when I worked in car hire. They used to use loads of oil as well. Bloody awful things.There is always the possibility that we got 100 or so duff ones, as they all seemed to be X plate ones that went bang (this was in 2001, so they weren't old), but I'd say 30% of the ones we had needed engine replacement before 30k miles.

[Pillock]

My mum had an Isuzu engined turbot-dizzler as a company car. First diesel engined car she had, it was a little peaky (i.e. it could scare the crap out of her by trundling up to 2000rpm and then launching towards the redline) but she did drive it hard. Bless her.I've also had a 1.5TD Corsa which is the same sort of thing I believe, and that was a hoot. No wonder they hold their value far better than petrol models, they are actually fun to drive and will hand you back 40mpg easily, closer to 50 if you're actually sensible.I hear there's a big tuning scene for the 'Suzu TDs in Gibraltar. Apparently. Not sure where I picked that fairly random "fact" up though! Drag race them in clouds of black smoke.

[mattblack]

We have a '98 Merit estate that the O/H drives... it's the low pressure turbo GM engine job and find it thoroughly unpleasant to drive... no power unless you rag the tits off it, throttle cable that seems to to made of elastic bands, ditto the steering, unsuportive seats... I'm sure the '92 N/A diesel we had before was beter. On the plus side it's been reliable for the 3 1/2 years we've had it and it's GR8 4 CARRIN SHITE ABOUT... had a complete bathroom suite in in. And the O/H likes it, having something of an Astra estate fetish....

[Cavcraft]

My mum had an Isuzu engined turbot-dizzler as a company car. First diesel engined car she had, it was a little peaky (i.e. it could scare the crap out of her by trundling up to 2000rpm and then launching towards the redline) but she did drive it hard. Bless her.

 

I've also had a 1.5TD Corsa which is the same sort of thing I believe, and that was a hoot. No wonder they hold their value far better than petrol models, they are actually fun to drive and will hand you back 40mpg easily, closer to 50 if you're actually sensible.

 

I hear there's a big tuning scene for the 'Suzu TDs in Gibraltar. Apparently. Not sure where I picked that fairly random "fact" up though! Drag race them in clouds of black smoke.

Indeed, they also had Isuzu engines. My Nova TD was honstly one of the most fun cars I've driven, it was fucking brilliant fun taking on poncey 'hot hatches' and flash cars then handing them their arse on a plate.

[Milford Cubicle]

In a cloud of diesel smoke.

[Albert Ross]

It's a solid blue, not totally different. It's here if you want it fer nowt. Been outside for yonks, covered in leaves n shit.