2003 Opel Astra 1.6CDE Bad performance

[Christiaan Pieters]

Hi

I am driving a 2003 Opel Astra 1.6 CDE. The car is a bit lazy. It doesn't have much power. Once it gets going it is all good. But for the first hill you have to down gear to 3rd, if it is a steep hill sometimes to 2nd gear.

I have driven other 1.6l cars in my live and this doesn't seem normal to me. Does anyone disagree with me?

I have replaced the oil, spark-plugs, air and oil filters. I had the car to a GM dealer. They was not able to find anything wrong but suggested that I have a software upgrade. This was done yesterday and cost me R400.00. There is absolutely no difference. In fact this morning when I started the engine, I struggled and had to give some gas. This was not necessary before the software upgrade.

Does any one know of someone that may have a look at the car?

The other problem is that the car comes with ABS breaks. The breaks on this vehicle are bad. I have driven other cars that have standard Discs in front and "Drums" at the back that are better than the Astra.

This is not a mayor concern right now but I would like to have this fixed as well. What is the best place to have that checked out?

I live in (South Africa) Vereeniging and work in Sandton. If anyone knows about places along that route, it will be highly appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Christiaan Pieters

[Ady]

I had a 1.6 Astra CDE and it used to run like hell. It sounds like you have taken care of most of the mechanical things that could go wrong. It may be your computer box which regulates air mixture and brakes etc. GM aren't the know alls of these things ( I know they should be, but experience has taught me otherwise) so i reckon you take it to a Bosch dealer and see what they can do for you or try some other dealer that works on electronics or a good auto electrical place. Its all a matter of elimination.

[TopNode]

Hi

I have a 2000 1.8CDE and the car is plagued by Electrical problems. Bought the car over from my dad and on 66k the Engine Management light came on. Car goes like hell but Opel cant find the problem (car is now on 156k). One time the car felt like it was struggling, then after a week it turned worse. Sounded like it was running on 3 cylinders. Ended up being the Coil Pack and O2 sensor in the Xhaust. Quick 8000 smackeroos later car went fine. Not saying it is that, but I have to agree with Ady that Opel nows Jack about Electrics.

[Dolby]

Car section :/

[Ady]

CP appears to be a newbie and probably hasn't seen the car section yet. If the thread gets moved he may not find it again? :)

[Nocturnity]

Very good chance that it's the coil pack. That generation of Opels are well known for wearing though them quite quickly. Had mine replaced just the other day.

If you're really stuck, have the guys at Big Boss Auto take a look.

[gdiza]

Very good change that it's the coil pack. That generation of Opels are well known for wearing though them quite quickly. Had mine replaced just the other day.

If you're really stuck, have the guys at Big Boss Auto take a look.

Is this place not in Cape Town?
Because the OP is not in Cape Town eh!
I assume you saw that part when you READ the thread. :rolleyes:

[Nocturnity]

Ugh, gdiza forced me to set aside my laziness and actually find you the info, so here you go:

55 Van Riebeeck Ave
Alberton
Tel: +27 (11) 907 0678
Fax:+27 (11) 869 1510
Email: info@bigbossauto.co.za

P.S. gdiza: A simple google search would've told you the same.

[Nivash]

Ive had the exact same problem with my vehicle. I drive a 2001 opel astra 1.6CD.
If its the 02 sensor, the engine management light should come on, on the dash.
As soon as it comes on, the car loses power and becomes sluggish. It sort of feels like the fuel supply is being cut off, with a noticeable jerk. I changed this sensor a year ago, and just lately the light has come back on. Now it stays on continously. Seems to be a common problem with these models. The cost to repair this is currently R1653. It took almost a year to figure out why this light was coming on in the first place, as i went to numerous opel dealerships, who could not find the fault. eventually a mechanic down in durban told me about the 02 sensor, and low and behold, as soon as it was changed, the light went off on the dash, and the car felt normal again. The sluggishness could also be attributed to the valve timing, which im now experiencing as well. Has difficulty starting, take off is very bad, hills need to be geared down, but once you get going like you said, its fine.


Hi

I am driving a 2003 Opel Astra 1.6 CDE. The car is a bit lazy. It doesn't have much power. Once it gets going it is all good. But for the first hill you have to down gear to 3rd, if it is a steep hill sometimes to 2nd gear.

I have driven other 1.6l cars in my live and this doesn't seem normal to me. Does anyone disagree with me?

I have replaced the oil, spark-plugs, air and oil filters. I had the car to a GM dealer. They was not able to find anything wrong but suggested that I have a software upgrade. This was done yesterday and cost me R400.00. There is absolutely no difference. In fact this morning when I started the engine, I struggled and had to give some gas. This was not necessary before the software upgrade.

Does any one know of someone that may have a look at the car?

The other problem is that the car comes with ABS breaks. The breaks on this vehicle are bad. I have driven other cars that have standard Discs in front and "Drums" at the back that are better than the Astra.

This is not a mayor concern right now but I would like to have this fixed as well. What is the best place to have that checked out?

I live in (South Africa) Vereeniging and work in Sandton. If anyone knows about places along that route, it will be highly appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Christiaan Pieters
072 655 6919/083 257 2566

[Turiko]

Coil Pack and O2 sensor in the Xhaust.

Very common problems in these cars.

Have you had a look through opelownersforum.co.za?

I am no expert on this model, I've only ever had extensive experience with Corsas

[JurgenFlurgen]

I also have a 2000 1.8CDE with the same problems. About 4 years ago I paid close to R10k to replace the coil, alternator and other goodies.

The car is still misbehaving and the guys at Car Service City reckon it's the O2 sensor. However at R4k to replace a sensor I find it a bit ridiculous.

Anybody know where I can go to guarantee what the problem is and preferably not fork out R14k all-in-all to sort out what seems to me to be a small issue?

[Juggy]

Gooi weg bru, Opiel is *** anyways;)

I had a 200IE and that thing went like stink. Awesome car...

[Mila]

Hi

I am driving a 2003 Opel Astra 1.6 CDE.

That is you problem.

[Stokstert]

Where is Rouxenator?? I miss him in this thread. :D

[ollydee01]

Car was parked for 4 days, started on the 5th, not picking up revs.
Idles properly, but very lazy in revs and wont move, even in gear 1.

Engine overhauled - still nothing, same thing - no revs.

Ideas anyone?

Desperate now!!!:confused:

[Pitbull]

Car was parked for 4 days, started on the 5th, not picking up revs.
Idles properly, but very lazy in revs and wont move, even in gear 1.

Engine overhauled - still nothing, same thing - no revs.

Ideas anyone?

Desperate now!!!:confused:

Petrol and an insurance claim?

[JK8]

That is you problem.

:D:D:D

[Obelix]

replace the driver

[mathohopd]

Hi guys,
I have Opel Astra 1.6 CDE 2001 model.
It had some clicking noise inside the engine next to cambelt I was told is Cambelt tensioner and it was replaced but the problem was not solved.

I booked at GM, when I was on my way to, about 100Kms I had that the noise is no longer clicking but it was on going, Immediatley when I check the temperature i find that it was one minut no get in Red I stop the car immediately, when I try to start again it just turn the starter but never started.

I opened the engine hood and find that there was water under the engine and inside the container it was boiling at half.

It seems as the water was commimng under where there is cam belt.

Now the car is no longer starting.

Can any one help me with what it might be and how can i solve the problem?

[Koosi]

Sounds like the water pump has gone, and now it won't start 'cause the head has been warped. Opel engines are notorious for leaking on the block where the water pump is located. Had my fair share of that... :rolleyes:

I can help solve the problem, however it depends on your location. I am in Joburg. I will need to see the car first. As for electrics, these cars run Bosch Motoronic, so once you understand the system, then its plain sailing. I also have some of the required test equipment.

[zululami]

It's the lambda sensor, I suspect... My brother had similar problem with his 2006 Astra cost him R3.9k for the part and R1.5 for labour...

[mathohopd]

Hey guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111

the stress is toooooo much on me.......................... I bought this car Three months ago n sudenly i am having this problems.

With the acc i will try what u told me......... Thanks guys.

With my previous problem I am about to solve it as all the answers i want i got them all.
You know the problem is this machanics who dont know their job, I nearly lost my car bcoz of R300-00 thing a WATER PUMP!!

I was forced to go to this Expensive guys the General Motors 1 because of water pump noise, I traveled about 100Kms at the end my water pump totaly fails.

The GM Charged me R1500-00 to strip the engine and find out what happened fortunately the Head Cylinder, The head block and Head gasket where fyne.

But it has damaged this other things, Valves, rings, bearings, pistins & cam belt.

Thanks guys..............GOD BLESS U

[genetic]

Stay away from Opel. :p

My sisters 1.6 1999 Astra has been running fine for years, but now has developed a lot of electrical issues - the car has literally got to be stripped and rewired.

She sent it to Bosch, but in my experience Bosch will only fsck things up. :(