I have a Vauxhall Astra 1.6 16V GLS with MAJOR problems. Can you help?

Question

The thing is..... There is hardly any power in the engine now at all, and it sounds like it's running on about 1 or 2 cylinders perhaps?

I have replaced the plugs (NEW), leads (NEW), Coil Pack (NEW)air filter (for economy purposes (NEW) and advance/retard lead (NEW). After all that, it still has no power. It has had a diagnostics check by an electrician and there is NO fault code coming up. Does this mean it is definitely a 'mechanical' fault? When I get to a junction also, it just 'conks-out' and the revs drop to below 0! Any ideas people?

Answer 1

try dropping these peeps a mail, they are the best in my area for vauxhall parts and the mechanics have all got good experience with these probs.
http://www.vauxhallcarparts.com/carquip_parts.html
hope this is of some help.
bazz

Answer 2

From what you've described the injectors are shot. You'll need a replacement injection system, which fortunately for you is an easy job on an Astra if you have a little know-how. A garage will rip you off to hell and back because it sounds like it should be expensive but it's an easy job, about 1 hour for the mildly competent and £40 for a used injection system.

Whats probably happened is the car has been allowed to run out of petrol at some point and the injectors have sucked up a big lump of junk from the bottom of the fuel tank. This has blocked some of them. It's not worth flushing the system out as it normally damages the injector points, but the job isn't that bad.

Answer 3

When you had the plugs out it would have been nice to get some compression readings from the cylinders. Another thing to check is the exhaust back pressure to make sure you don't have a plugged catalytic converter. Is it possible the transmission torque converter stays locked up when you come to a stop and stalls the engine? That happens commonly on GM cars in the US. Make sure the throttle plate is not going totally closed in the throttle bore and works smoothly. Clean the throttle plate and bore area with kitchen spray detergent and a tooth brush. Check the idle air bypass valve and clean if possible. Check the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) rheostat (variable resistor) on the throttle shaft for proper voltage and waveform at and off idle.

Answer 4

Kris it sounds like a burnt out valve or stuck valve . Acompression try may assist you there .yet verify the interior distributor cap to verify first .enable the engine tick over in force way till eventually warmed up then bypass the leads with a insulated screwdriver and pay interest for a replace in engine note even new leads might want to be defective .Use a strong injecter cleanser besides once you've extreme milage nicely worth a try cheers

Answer 5

First thing that comes to mind is burnt out valves. Only reason being I once had an Astra this happen to mine. 2 exhaust valve went.

Take it you have checked your getting a spark?

Next thing i would do is a compression check on each cylinder.

Answer 6

As above try and get engine compression tested, Ive known vauxhalls blow their head gaskets between 2 cylinders so not giving the usual signs of blown gaskets (oil in water, pressurised coolant, that sort of thing)

Answer 7

Easy check is to remove all the spark plugs and then put your thumb over each plug hole in turn and crank the engine. If there is a noticeable difference in the pressure to blow your thumb off the plug hole you have either valve or piston problems.
As the expression has it 'C'est brutal mais elle march'!
RoyS

Answer 8

A compression check is a must, if it fails for some reason such as burnt valve then you know your wasting your time looking into the sort of things you mention above.

Answer 9

it sound like lack off compression
head gasget or piston rings?
or faulty injecters, the other thing is the air intake could be blocked?
otherwise the engine is so tired and needs to die

Answer 10

Could be the injectors.Try un plugging them one by one while engine is running. Sorry only thing i can think of.