Astra H 1.9 CDTI (150 BHP) - Are they that bad??

[swissastra]

Hi All,

Moved and started work in Switzerland back in September 2012, it's a 120 KM daily round trip to the office so after searching for Diesel cars and being told by someone who rated the Vauxhall engines that the CDTi engine was a good'en I bought the above car with about 42000 on the clock.

Anyway, the whole trip is pretty much clear motorway, plonk it in 6th, put cruise control on and 40 minutes later arrive at work. Reverse in the evening, repeat 5 days a week......I listen to a lot of BBC documentaries

So last week the engine management light comes on and not wishing to pay Swiss Mechanic prices unless I have to, did some research and found out through the fault code it was a blocked egr valve. No problems, took it off at the weekend, it was absolutely gopping and clogged. Gave it a good clean up (found out the toothbrush I've been using for the past month, was in fact the wifes....Que her asking where her toothbrush was Sunday morning after I'd got up early to work on the car .....everyone knows blue toothbrushes are for men!!)
So, put it all back together and low and behold, running much better, it's lost the flat point just as you increase speed after sitting at a constant speed, plus much better pull in low revs...so that's good.

But during my investigations on tut internet, I notice that the 1.9 CDTi may not be as good as I was first thought to believe, I've been toying with getting another car as I wouldn't mind an estate and the car now has 83 K so I can still get an okay trade in.....35K a year soon adds up the distance on the clock so the trade in value will drop quite quickly.

Up until now, I've had zilch issues and although it's not the most exciting of cars, it has enough ummphh and is comfortable for motorway driving (it's the Diamond version with heated seats, arms rests etc).

Now I'm wondering whether I should seriously start looking to trade it and I've just been lucky??

Anything to keep my eye open for with regard to future implosion of said car?

Would be interested to hear from those with more knowledge than myself on this engine/gear box set up.

Cheers,
Swiss

[andy118run]

In the absence of anybody with more knowledge rushing along to post here (this VX forum is never a hive of activity) I could share my experience with you.
I had an 05 reg Vectra 1.9 CDTI (150) a few years ago - worst car I ever had, one problem after another (eg. alternator replaced after 55k miles), just a shocking car.
If yours has made 80k plus miles with no issues then you clearly have a decent one and there are plenty of people out there who have no problems.
Vectra C.com is always a decent place to learn more about this engine - a real mine of info there.

[BL Fanboy]

It'd be the gearbox I'd be worrying about.

If the gear lever shifts even slightly when pulling away in 1st gear then I'd get rid sharpish. Its a sign that the gear cluster is moving in the gearbox - a sure indication that the bearings are on the way out.

Unfortunately the compact M32 gearbox struggles to handle the torque output from these engines and will more often than not require a rebuild, The Vectra with the 1.9 engine wasn't affected as its larger engine bay accommodates a stronger gearbox.

Oh yes, and look out for your a/c condenser falling apart.

[swissastra]

Thanks for the info guys.

Hmmm, it's actually 84k Kilo Meters, so around 55K miles...But always seems pretty solid. As I mentioned, only thing in 40000 km has been the egr valve which was easy to sort out.

I had thought it was a really good car going by my experience so far, pulled quite nicely, okay to drive on the motor way....then I started reading some worrying things recently.

Although I've not really paid much attention, the gear's seem pretty solid, and changes without any issues, but I'll take a closer look with regard to the possible play. I would say for 90% of the driving it's either in 5th or 6th.

I had thought just driving it on the motor way only it would last for ever and the day after...I may have to reconsider that.

Thanks again guys.

[S7Paul]

Unfortunately it's driving along the motorway in 6th that does the damage. The gearbox bearings that take the load when you're in 6th aren't up to the job. If you catch the problem early they can be fixed for around £400. If not, it's a full gearbox rebuild at nearer £1200.

The engine is almost as bad, suffering from EGR problems, swirl flaps mechanisms falling apart and water pumps siezing (which then shreds the timing belt and can result in piston/valve contact and broken rockers).

If I were you, I'd get rid of it before any of the above happens.

[swissastra]

Amazing, I really thought the 1.9 engine would be the best bet, not being over worked, I thought I'd get a good few 100 000km's out of it.

I have been toying with the idea of a new car just so I don't load up the KM's to much and completely wipe off any value it has.

So, what does the pannel suggest looking at. Wouldn't mind an estate...but to be fair, the other car is an s-max, so not desperate for a large car.

I'm doing 35000 km's a year, so needs to be comfortable and diesel. probably something around the 4 year old mark.

Golf/passat ?

[ubbs]

Our old 1.9 Sri had many problems namely 3 gearboxes although the last one was a revised one with completely different feel to it (much better) both started to whine in 6th the other biggie was a new inlet manifold, actuator and egr valve all replaced in one go due it getting gummed up all replaced under warranty, got usual "need to use on the motorway lecture" which we always did i think it was down to cheap supermarket diesel, we px ed for the latest one and that one is always filled with shell diesel and seems to be okay