Day from Hell ......can you top it!

[Darkwood]

Up 5.30am ... doing a 50mile trip to manchester on breakdown so pre-empt' the traffic -

Usual checks when doing a bit of a run topped oil up checked coolant etc fine fine fine..

Gets there take a good day to sort out carding machine and get it going.

Set off back about 6pm im tired and hungry so so heads for M602 and drops of at J1 to join east bound M60 heading to leeds -well traffic was nose to tail on M60 and im in fast lane not moving and with little movement i decided to warm things up so ramp heater on full but only got cold air??? Oh bugger i thought hope this aint what i th.... just as i thought it my car became a cloud of white smoke billowing from the wheel archers GREAT!!! indicator then Engine cuts out so stuck in fast lane traffic all moving again and im trying to free wheel 4 lanes to hard shoulder nearly go hit twice car doing 2mph across lanes with traffic doing 40ish but made it and finally got to relax my sphincter muscles :icon9:...

2hrs in torrential rain as i wasn't going to sit in the car with the manic lorry drivers riding the ripple line (countered 15 lorries cross over it) ... got towed home for 9pm and just went straight to bed.

Just had it inspected and looks like a coolant leak was to blame - Engine had seized goto oil in the coolant reservoir ...well in a nutshell its just a write off had it 4yrs 5k down drain :sad_smile:


My question is why did vauxhall think it fine to not bother with a temp' gauge or any form of engine management to warn me of such a set-up ....not happy!!!

 

[Robotstar5]

Glad you managed to make it home in one piece!, I'm surprised there is no warning of overheat, even a warning lamp would have helped.
Is the rest of the car/van worth having a recon engine fitted?

 

[telectrix]

was thinking that. must be loads of low mileage engines in the scrappys. £3-£400 + fitting.

 

[Billythekid]

That's a bloody nuisance, glad to here you got home safe and sound though. I know I'm always complaining about cost managers, but here is another fine example of what happens when "the tail wags the dog"!

As above, hopefully a local breakers yard can source you a replacement for a reasonable price.

Good Luck

Billy

 

[Darkwood]

Its a vauxhall astra hatchback 1.7L TDI and no their isn't any temp' warning systems on them and apparently quite common with modern cars not to have them... breakdown company explained its getting common place now .... the car has had its fair share of issues needs some bodywork, needs new CIM unit and TBH at 8yrs and 100k on it i don't really think its worth keeping going might as well just get a well needed van and scrap the pile of crap.

 

[Johnuk]

only had the van 2 days wing mirror got hit, f?<k bus drivers

 

[2na]

Don't talk to me about vans, I bought a combo van 3 years ago, 09 plate, 30k on the clock. Since then, I've had the clutch and flywheel replaced, and this week the turbo went. Its got 80k on the clock now and I'm replacing the turbo then selling it ASAP.

Anyone have any thoughts on a new van? Don't say Vivaro, I had one before and that had loads of problems. I'm thinking either a very nearly new transporter or a new transit.

 

[Earthstore]

Not as though it matters now, but Vauxhall Astras have a common problem with the oil coolers, (mounted on the back of the engine underneath the inlet manifold) they split inside letting the water and oil mix, so a word of warning to all others if you see any oil in the water header tank, go straight to the garage, do not pass Go or collect £200... straight to the garage....

Sorry about yours though but I think you are right, scrap it or stick it on EBAY, a second hand engine change is not straight forward, coded Injector pumps for one....

 

[Sparkysoldman]

Yep can beat that got home p******** wifey in a stro !!!!!