Astrashite

[Milford Cubicle]

Did I mention that I love Mk3 Astras?

THey are all dismal to drive and ought to be CRUSHED.

[Albert Ross]

My Astra F was fuckin' Ace. 1.7 Isuzu Turdblower, Inastate, HD stuff lobbed on it when the normal stuff fell off. I got it at scrap price, kept it 2 years and got it fettled, Greenvanman bought it and used it for at least 18 months. Best "modern" I have EVER had.

 

Astra G and later? Nah.

[Milford Cubicle]

I like my Cavalier, but I had a mega fall out with my Astra Mk3. It just didn't stay fixed and wasn't that nice to drive with a choppy ride and hard seats.

[ProgRocker]

In the late 90s my parents bought a damaged/repaired Astra 'California' 1.4 Hi Torq engine in boring white with matt black bumpers (L909 NUM). It was alright but I wish they had got a 'CDi' spec model, like the 1986 Carlton 2.2i was that it replaced (square shape model).

 

The California Astra were a slightly upgraded limited edition of the 'Merit' or 'L' models. They never had power steering as standard but my dad asked the guy who repaired the car to put power steering on it.

 

My dad's foreman had a company 1.7 Isuzu diesel (I assume it was a turbo) Astra Van which he really liked. He kept hold of it even when it was due for renewal as they were being replaced by Ford Diesels.

 

I was trying to fathom out which model Astra my sister's is that I might buy. There was such a myriad of different engines and trim levels. If I could choose then it would be a 2.0 CDX. (I prefer comfort over outright performance!).

 

I never really talk cars much with her. Although it looks like a basic model with black bumpers, I noticed that it had 15" wheels with Vectra style wheel covers. My dad said that it was a 1.6 litre - I hope he's right as I will be a trifle disappointed if its a 1.4 hi torq one.

[Albert Ross]

Sounds like it could be an "Arctic 1"...... Or a later LS.

[ProgRocker]

Sounds like it could be an "Arctic 1"...... Or a later LS.

Its got a fairly basic seat trim with black diagonal lines. Its a facelifted one with the 'V' grille. I really should communicate with my sister about this, shouldn't I? But my parents, who have seen her new £14,000 Mercedes B200 CDi, told me that she has no immediate plans to sell her Ashtray.

[Albert Ross]

Does it have aircon or front fogs? If not, it might even be a CLub.

[ProgRocker]

Does it have aircon or front fogs? If not, it might even be a CLub.

I don't think it has aircon or front fogs...I'll go an find out from her, as I'm curious now.

[Station]

Low voltage on o2 sensors probably means you need a new lambda sensor, and the short to earth means your ICV is shagged - probably. It'd be easier to get a second hand one, if it doesn't work, it'll be the wiring. Maybe the plug.

 

I have the 1.4 LSi trim model, which I put GSi bodykit on, but putting all the .original stuff back on again (and grey interior), eventually:

 

 

[RichL]

Must admit I do like these, a mates dad had a '94M 1.4 Merit estate which took some serious hammer in the time he had it. Must have done well over 200k when he got rid, with minimal servicing and 5 kids doing their best to rip the interior apart I could never believe how it kept going

[greengartside]

Yeah I thought as much about the o2 sensor Station. I have disconnected the ICV wiring so that's where the fault code is coming up.

 

Have spent three hours cleaning the outside of it. It wouldn't be wrong to say that it looks spotless now.

[greengartside]

Apologies for dragging this thread up again.

 

I replaced the ICV with another one - it then refused to start! So I mixed and matched the two halves of each one - still no dice. I then refitted the body of the old one to the new piston thingy (with the wiring) and it started but the revs shot up again as usual....have I been unlucky and bought a duff ICV? There's not many to choose from at my scrappers too.

[Ben_Mk3]

Love it!

 

Nice bit of rare car that! on the road there's 141 that are known and 70 on sorn according to dvla!

[AXrescuer]

Did I mention that I love Mk3 Astras?

THey are all dismal to drive and ought to be CRUSHED.

Really? So you've driven all of them then?

 

As for the ICV, leave it soaking in brake or carb cleaner overnight. Empty and add a little oil. Refit and it should be working again.

[Ben_Mk3]

The 1.8v 16v engines are great!! loved driving dads, so much fun

[Cavcraft]

 

Trig - I had a 1.4 MPi (82hp) and a 1.6 8v - the 1.4 pissed all over it, was stupidly fast for what it was! This 1.8 seems to be better than both of them, I think it's a de-tuned GSi lump from what I've read.

GSi was a two-litre C20XE, yours will be the C18XE so same family but not just a restricted version. Pushes out a not unreasonable 125bhp though.

*Anoraknaphobic moment:

 

Some later (GSi) ones had a 2.0 Ecotec engine and I think they made an 1800 version too. Have to confess I thought the 2.0 one would be shit but they don't half move along nicely.

 

Cavette Junior has a 1.4 SPi Astra that would tear my my old Mk4 1.6 (8V) a new arse no danger. The 1.4 is a pretty nippy motor for the size of it and they are virtually bullet proof.

[Lord Sterling]

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=FSW&action=display&thread=82972

 

I put mine for sale on RR, although it could only be less popular if I set it on fire and crashed it into that 'garage play day' thing that happens on there.

Only just saw that. Shame your selling now. I'd have loved that car.

[Pillock]

 

Some later (GSi) ones had a 2.0 Ecotec engine and I think they made an 1800 version too. Have to confess I thought the 2.0 one would be shit but they don't half move along nicely.

 

Yeah later ones had a 136bhp Ecotec, same lump as used in Cavaliers and whatnot. Original full-fat was 150bhp.

I have a feeling they slightly de-chavved the outside of these later models didn't they, losing the flat grille and side skirts?

[Station]

Greengartside, I'm selling a load of stuff from my garage, I think I have about four ICV's for sale. Funk knows where I got all this stuff from.

I'd say if it didn't fix the problem, you either have an airleak or something else is being disturbed. Everything's linked together to the ECU for some crazy reason, so the ICV might actually be down to it doing it to compensate for something, however.

Another thing might be the throttle position sensor - You can loosen it and just adjust it until the idle comes down (it rotates about 20 degrees - it's on the other side of the throttle cable I think), I seem to remember this fixing it after I spent money on new stuff when the scrap yard stuff didn't work. I'd say it was that or an vacuum leak.

Bosch stuff is really great until it breaks.

[greengartside]

Thanks for the advice Station, I shall go and have a tinker wIth it later on. Interesting about the TPS thing, that may work. I have checked all the relevant hoses in the area and they all seem free from splits. I have noticed that when the ICV is plugged in and the revs shoot up that if I blip the throttle then the revs stay up instead of coming back down to 2krpm if you uinderstand me. Its really puzzling me!

[greengartside]

Have just tried fiddling with the TPS. It's not making any difference to idle speed, it's still exactly as before, even with the TPS disconnected! I even disconnected the o2 sensor plug and coolant sensor plug..no joy.

 

Think I may have to purchase an ICV off you, Station....I'm at a loss as to what else it could be.