Astra diesel (Isuzu) cold starting probs

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Fri 10 Dec 2004 10:35
Astra diesel (Isuzu) cold starting probs - clett
Just an update to remind people of this common problem. I had been having big problems starting my '95 Astra TD whenever the temperature dropped outside. Over the summer it had been fine, but coming through Autumn it was getting worse and worse. It would turn over fine for ages, but just not catch, then the battery would die and that was that. When it did start, it would run like a dog for at least two minutes with masses of smoke out of the back. However, switching it off and starting it again was no problem at all when the engine was even the slightest bit warm.

So, after searching on here I found out that it was very common on higher mileage (mines is 144k) Isuzu engine TD Astras that the valve clearances go out, and that this leads to poor compression when cold. When things heat up, things expand and the gaps are filled, so all is fine and it runs OK.

The solution is to have the tappets adjusted and maybe shims put in - careful though as costs for this vary wildly. One backstreet garage quoted me £420, so I was surprised when the Vauxhall main dealer was able to do it for just £140.

Now, car starts on the button. The other night it was -4oC and chick, brmm, just like that. Oh, and no smoke and poor running from cold either now.
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Fri 10 Dec 2004 11:16
Astra diesel (Isuzu) cold starting probs - Number_Cruncher
Hi,

£420 for this job is little short of extortionate. I suspect the garage thought that they had to do major dismantling to do the job, like taking the cam out.

Perhaps this was a silly quote, for work they didn't really want to do. That way either a) you would go elsewhere, or b) they would make quite a bit of profit.

£140 isn't cheap either - I would estimate that the work should take half an hour - ok, perhaps an hour at most to do. The parts needed will be new the shims and a new cam cover gasket.

Having said that, it is good that your fault has been fixed.

number_cruncher

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Thu 16 Dec 2004 00:12
Astra diesel (Isuzu) cold starting probs - SkintSteve
Recently did the valve clearances on my Isuzu Astra. Vauxhall charge £7 something for EACH shim and about the same for the rocker cover rubber seal. The number os shims needed will vary up to 8 shims.
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Sat 18 Dec 2004 20:11
Astra diesel (Isuzu) cold starting probs - gingerwinger
i have just had my td astra done by local garage. it cost me £51 inc vat. needed 4 shims £3.28 each. starts better than me in the mornings now......
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Sun 19 Dec 2004 09:16
Astra diesel (Isuzu) cold starting probs - wemyss
Good result clett. And its always nice to see people giving others the benefit of their own experience which can help others with the same problem.
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Sun 19 Dec 2004 14:32
Astra diesel (Isuzu) cold starting probs - Number_Cruncher
When these Isuzu engines were first introduced on Vauxhalls in 1990, the issue of valve recession was already known. For that reason, check and adjust valve clearances was an additional item on sevices every 18,000 miles.

While these cars remain dealer serviced, they tend to get this required attention. Once cars are no longer dealer serviced, these types of service operations tend to become more neglected.

Correct servicing would prevent the problem in the first place.

number_cruncher
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