Astra Mk4 estate SNOG MARRY AVOID?

[Lankytim]

A good pal of mine has a W reg Mk4 Astra 1.6 petrol estate he needs to get rid of. He's owned it for 2 years and apart from an ongoing fault with the MAP(?) sensor that he can't seem to suss out and a recent clutch problem (which will probably need replacing) its a pretty straight motor. 110k on the clock, pretty uninspiring but ideal cheapo family hack. The MAP problem has been pissing him off for a while and now with the dying clutch he's gone out and bought an 03 Laguna diesel. His wife can't wait to see the Astra go!

 

Does anyone know anything about these Astra models? I have to confess, I know pretty much nothing except it has the old 8v engine in it which tend to be pretty bullet-proof from what i've heard.

 

Opinions??!

[Richard]

My last work had one, it was quite an acceptable car really.

[Tayne]

Could the MAP sensor be the Mass Airflow Sensor?

 

Or is it a satnav problem?

[Lankytim]

I said MAF sensor, but according to a garage he took it to its a totally different once called a MAP sensor- I have no idea what it is or what it does!

[Cavcraft]

Marry.

 

Sure I don't have to tell you what my feelings on them are, suffice to say I rate them highly.

 

Have to say 16V models seem better than 8Vs, but that's because when laden with the CAT and the other associated emissions crap they strangle the engine a bit. Parts are buttons, they're well made and aside from the odd stupid sensor problem they're an endurable old thing and cheap to run/maintain.

I've found the 1.6 engines the best of the lot really, you'll find the 8V wi'll be quite ponderous and there's some issue with thermostats which can make them appear the engine's had a K-series moment but they'll just keep on running with pretty basic maintenance.

Clutch shouldn't be too bad a job and a decent FCR will get to the MAF/MAP(?) problem. MAFs are fairly cheap from memory but changing the plugs etc can make a world of difference.

If it's cheap enough (I'd be wanting to throw about £350 at the seller for it) it's hard to see how you can go too far wrong to be honest. Yeah it'll be dull and the 8Vs are usually a bit shit spec'd, but for reliability and general build quality I think you'd be hard pressed to do better.

 

{Removes flak jacket, steps away from thread}

[Barry Cade]

See a few problems on these with the EGR valve- tends to "draw up" and lose power on a constant throttle. Never had any issues with the MAP sensor?

[Station]

The blocks on the cars are a nearly 30 year old design!

The 'MAP' is the sensor which measures the vacuum in the inlet. I think these cars use an AFM, so disregard the MAP sensor problem, unless it does have one. First thing I'd check is the frigging EGR valve. They cost 145 quid brand new, and all the second hand one in the scrap yard are all broken or on their way out. You have to have something on these cars to brake for the manufacturer to get money back on parts, and it's this and the slave cylinder inside the gearbox.

The AFM is on the pipe from the inlet to the air filter box. Go down to a scrap yard and take every sensor off an Astra and just replace the lot to see if it cures it. In work we had a silver estate with a beige velour interior. They're nothing spectacular, but they're nice, reliable cars, build quality is excellent. I built and QA'd the seats for these years ago!

[pogweasel]

Bleurgh.

I had a 1.7 diesel van as a work hack for a year.

It broke down, alot. Expensively.

And I maintain the electric power steering is dangerous.

 

That said fatha_pog now has one, proper giffer job... non-colour-coded bumpers, 1.6 8v, badermatic etc and he seems quite enamoured.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

SNOG MARRY AVOID?

 

You forgot 'GRAPPLE'

[Lankytim]

I won't say the price, but its less that £350. From memory its the "Club" spec. When my mate bought it I remember he complained it was quite slow and not as good on fuel as he had hoped, I think he was getting mid 20's on average, this probably all ties in with the sensor problem. Apparently it can "run funny" sometimes, chugging along with FA power and sometimes stalling at junctions.

 

Does anyone know if these disastras have the little hatch for changing clutches that the Cavalier had?

[dollywobbler]

I think it's an 'acceptable' one. A Focus does it all better IMHO, but they're not a bad old motor.

[Lankytim]

Can't the EGR valve be blanked off and done away with?

 

Apparently its been on a computer thing and the MAP sensor was flagged up.

[Station]

It can be blanked off, but I think it messes with the emissions or something at MOT time. I think it might actually be 'illegal' or something, I remember someone telling me.

 

They still have the little clutch hatch! And they have the KRAZY M7 bolt input shaft thing. You can't buy M7 bolts anywhere, apart from the ones that come with cheapo Draper slide hammers.

[Barry Cade]

IIRC the bolts that hold the selector mech to the top of the box are M7... But I don't think the Mk4 Astra clutch can be done this way. Nothing in the MOT says you cant blank off the EGR, you don't even need a cat.

[HillmanImp]

I have a spare sensor you can have for free in the garage. Will take photo if its the same one. Plugs in the exhaust at the bottom of the manifold and controls the air going into the engine due to the amount of fumes going out of the exhaust or some such things? Not the MAF but something else.

 

Like any old Vauxhall they will be fucked electronically as they keep the ECU in the top of the engine. I dont know if any other manufacturers do this but keeping the equivalent of your PC on top of something that gets really hot and shakes a lot will mean it gets fucked fairly quickly. Hence my rule of never buying another Vauxhall again.

 

However when my Astra G worked it was fucking brill to drive, fast and conft. but when it fucked up there was no coming back. It was also a W reg.

[Station]

IIRC the bolts that hold the selector mech to the top of the box are M7... But I don't think the Mk4 Astra clutch can be done this way. Nothing in the MOT says you cant blank off the EGR, you don't even need a cat.

 

Yeah, but they're too short for prying the shaft out. (~~~voice of experience~~~)

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Mrs Bol's Xreg Astra G 1.6 16v has done somethng like 150k and is UBER reliable. Saying that the engine management light came on yesterday, but it was the first time ever, and it has gone off again today. I think its even on its original battery. Its a bastard to work on cos no bolts on it have ever been touched!!! Its a great car though.

 

They have a self-diagnostic function on the ECU if it starts playing silly buggers.

[Barry Cade]

Wasn't there one long one? I'm delving deep into the memory banks here from 18 years ago!!

I'm smoking around in a Mk3 1.6 8v estate just now, but if it as much as sneezes, its gone.

[fiatdaft]

that will be an 02 sensor,the manifold absolute pressure sensor is on the inlet manifold,what is the engine code of the car? and be aware vx's like to lie to diagnostic machines!

[Formula Autos]

SNOG.

 

Fix the faults, run it for a couple of years, weigh it in.

 

OK cars, providing inoffensive transport. Not one you'll fall in love with (and marry, within the meaning of your question), but not a bad choice as a runaround. Especially at sub-£350.

[tonedepear]

Manifold Air Pressuse sensor IIRC.

 

No help, but I couldn't have slept without saying.

 

Edit: Or Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor as someone's already said if I could read. Bah.

[Split_Pin]

I've had my 1.8 16v Coupe for nearly 6 years and its a very reliable car. I'll definitely never sell it. The only issue I've had with it is the drive-by-wire throttle position sensor, but its just a save-up-and-replace job. (Yours will be a cable throttle)

 

Your engine will be the X16SZR. The only PITA is that if the thermostat sticks open, you need to take the timing belt off to get to it. Other than the usual sensor issues, I havent read about any real probs with them.

 

The MK4 is easy to work on and parts are cheap and plentiful. I will probably buy an estate one of these for Mrs_L as she is going to be looking for a bigger car next year.

 

Re your running funny problem - it might be the idle control valve. My Vectra used to cut out at junctions because of a faulty one of these. It was about £30 to replace.

[wackywacerwill]

I know a young lad who has a 1.6 of this vintage. He regularly drives like a twat and uses it to tow scrap cars to meet their maker whilst he's at work. It ain't broke yet

[Lankytim]

Found out some more info on the clutch problem, apparently after a few miles it can be difficult to get it into gear and starts slipping. Interesting!

[garethj]

Snog then dump after a few months, or sell on ebay with a full ticket and polishing mop marks.

 

YKIMS

[Lankytim]

UPDATE.

 

This old crock is still going with virtually no maintainance other than tyres and oil changes. I have noticed today that the very rotten exhaust has started to blow! Does anybody know the best place to go and buy one? It's blowing at the rear box, but the whole system looks ready to drop off. I would buy it in bits and fit it myself but so far I have never been able to do this without ballsing it right up and having to take it to an expert to finish off properly.

 

Well done to everyone who said Mk4 Astras were GR9, this one has been lovely!

[Split_Pin]

Good stuff I've had my Coupe nearly 7 years with few problems and no great expense. Just passed its MOT again last week with no advisories.

 

Don't go to Shit Fit or similar, they will charge you a fortune.

 

Go onto ebay, or even try the Astra Owners Club. I've bought lots for my Mk4 from both sources without hitch.

[Morgan84]

The MK4 Astra ia a pretty solid car really,body wise,they dont suffer from bad corrosion,and the interiors seem to stand the test of time.It's just brake pipes which seem to like to rust on neglected examples,but I'd definately reccomend a Astra as a wise buy

[Morgan84]

The MK4 Astra ia a pretty solid car really,body wise,they dont suffer from bad corrosion,and the interiors seem to stand the test of time.It's just brake pipes which seem to like to rust on neglected examples,but I'd definately reccomend a Astra as a wise buy

[Mr_Bo11ox]

We needed the exhaust replaced on ours, a local independent 'Fat Kevs Tyre + Exhaust shed' outfit fitted a complete system for about £120 with a guarantee, barely seemed worth getting my hands dirty so i didn't.