I have a P reg Vectra. 1.8 16v GLS. I have just realised that I have been leaking small spots of oil for a while. I have just filled car with oil. The engine is begining to over heat and there is a ticking/tapping sound. Also a loud screach when car first starts buts gets better when warm. I have also noticed that I have been using a lot of petrol lately. For info I do a lot of motorway driving. Any ideas...
2006-11-04 23:47:32 · 11 answers · asked by brakiss 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Sounds like its on it's last legs, buy a new car.
2006-11-04 23:53:22 · answer #1 · answered by Goofy Goofer Goof Goof Goof ! 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree wtih Scott, if the overheating has only started since you did the oil, it may be that you have simply over filled it. Check the oil level when the engine is cold. and adjust as neccessary. The ticking/tapping sound you hear although annoying is nothing to worry about, it is as you have already been told the hydraulic tappets, this usually stops after oil starts to circulate the engine. It is expensive to repair because you have to renew all the tappets (16 in your engine) as you cannot tell which one is causing the noise, they are a sealed unit and cannot be stripped and cleaned as they could on the earlier Cavalier. If the heating problem is not cured after checking the oil you will have to investigate the cooling system. This is not as hard to sort out as your other problem. It could be either a blocked radiator, a blocked matrix (heater radiator) or more likely a faulty thermostat. Also check that when standing with the engine running that the electric fan is coming on. Be careful doing this check as it will start without warning if it is working and is dangerous if you get your hands to near. A better way to check this is to "short" out the switch, if the fan starts then the switch is at fault, if it does not then the problem is the "sender", both are easily fixed and should not cost a fortune. If you are unsure about doing any of these checks yourself please do not mess with it but take it to a qualified mechanic!!!!
2006-11-05 00:22:38 · answer #2 · answered by Shredder 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hope you haven't put too much oil in it? Only checking that as you said filled up with oil, that does mean to max on dip-stick and not to the brim doesn't it?
You probably got a little oil over teh fan belt if that started when you topped it up, if it's been going for longer you should get a new fan belt. The tapping could be hydrolic tappets, but on Vauxhalls they have a classic fault with big ends going. They're very weak engines. If it sounds at all machine-gunney when driving cold it needs to be sold quickly before you have to scrap it.
As for the overheating, thats caused by a lack of coolant in radiator (this can be caused by a number of things) or a sticky thermostat. If its a recent fault then it's probably the thermostat as they do not respond well to the sudden temperature changes we been experiencing lately.
2006-11-06 10:12:58 · answer #3 · answered by Bealzebub 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it got way to low, could have done damage. The load screaching could be a lose fan belt which is easy to fix. The tapping was lifters that ran low on oil. None of the above would make your fuel mileage drop that much. You may have a tune up problem.
2006-11-04 23:53:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i had a n reg 1.8 16v and there was a rattle coming from it when it was cold and it turned out to be the water pump as i found out when it siezed and snapped the timing belt . bent every valve and snapped a camshaft maybe this has something to do with the overheating problem aswell it happened just before the second timing belt change that i think should be done at 80000and vauxhall recomend changing the water pump at this point . but mine decided to go at 72000 miles hope this helps you out mate .
2006-11-07 03:32:09 · answer #5 · answered by bob a builder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the screeching sound when you start up from cold is the timing belt tensioner wheels this is not a great problem but you will need to get it checked out.The oil leak could be anything get it checked out at a garage
2006-11-05 00:07:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ronnie B T is right. If you're still leaking oil, Be sure and keep it filled to you get it checked out or your engine will blow
2006-11-04 23:57:49 · answer #7 · answered by chr1 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the screeching sound is possibly the fan belt requires replasment as they are auto adjusting
but as far as the rest possable haed gasget or seal?
petrol well sencer gone or leaking petrol as every thing is ecu controled so get it down to opel and get it cheacked out
2006-11-04 23:54:20 · answer #8 · answered by witheringtonkeith 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
adjust your alternator belt that will stop the screach when you start up the tapping sound i think is your hydraulic tappets.and the overheating get it checked out
2006-11-04 23:53:02 · answer #9 · answered by scott j 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hard to diagnose from your description , but it sounds serious i would have it checked out by a mechanic immediately if i was you
2006-11-07 04:22:41 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋