Daewoo Nubira (1997 - 2003) - Myriad of faults

Honest John Back Room » Legal matters
View Threaded
Sun 16 Nov 2008 01:21
Myriad of faults - jase1
Well, I think this Daewoo could be coming to the point where it is getting unviable to fix. It has had a few non-terminal faults for a while now (which I simply have not had time to fix) but I think the latest one has the potential to tip it over the edge.

1) Momentary drop in revs when the gas pedal is pushed while the car is cold. I believe this to be the coolant temperature sensor.

2) Air idle control valve is u/s -- car revs too high, and cleaning it off isn't really working any more. Cost for a replacement is around £140 due to being a Daewoo rather than a Vauxhall -- tsk. I *might* be able to get one from Australia for £60.

3) Oil leak from the cam cover -- cheap fix but it all mounts up. Not too serious, losing maybe a third of a litre of oil every 1000 miles.

4) This is the new one -- a loud bang from the underside of the car every gear-change. Would guess at either an exhaust noise or an engine/gearbox mount. If it's the latter, the car will have to go to a garage -- I simply don't have the time or the skill to sort it out.

The car still requires a cambelt at some point, cost £250 inc tensioner/water pump, but I suspect that the above represents at least £200 worth of repairs, and possibly more, so the car is now borderline seeing as it is worth maybe £400 at most, in top condition.

Generally the car is fine though -- four new or nearly-new tyres, good engine/box/electrics/bodywork, no rust.

Time for the bin?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Nov 2008 03:04
Myriad of faults - Rattle
Tough call. I am in a similar position with m new Fiesta. To be fully happy with it I need new pads, new brake pipes etc and the spark plugs are also rusted into the head (not too bad so might be an easy fix). However the engine and gearbox are very good and the fact cars are now hard to sell I have decided to fix it and keep it.

If you're happy with your Nubria I would keep it as it is better the devil you know. It is better to spend £500 on a car you trust, than spend £500 on a car you know nothing about. I hate all this throw away car society.

If you're skint keep the Daweewoowooowoowoo if you'te rich then by something more exciting like a Mondeo.

Edit my dad had an Escort which lasted 4r years with little troublle and he did 40k in it. However it did started to use excessive fuel (due to a burnt valve) and due to being stored in damp conditions when my dad broke two arms the car rotted away. To get through thr MOT it would have cost £400, the car was worth less than that so it was scrapped. I know the valves could have been replaced and the engine and gearbox were perfect, I always regret not getting that car through the MOT and my dad keeping it. It was worthless to us it was a good car if that makes sence?

Edited by Rattle on 16/11/2008 at 03:07

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Nov 2008 09:09
Myriad of faults - Alby Back
For a bystanders opinion...

Jase, I think it's time to move on. Too much stacking up.

Rattle, sounds like a bit if fettling will get you sorted out.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Nov 2008 12:30
Myriad of faults - jase1
Both sides covered there then lol.

In fairness, 1 through 3 are irritants more than anything else -- 1 goes away within a couple of minutes, and careful clutch control can compensate for it. I understand that the part is only £20 plus an hour's labour anyway. The oil leak is similarly not much of a hassle and the offending gasket would presumably be replaced when the cambelt was replaced. The IACV is more of a problem though -- speaking to a mechanic friend of mine this morning he says it might simply be an air leak somewhere, even though the hoses seem pristine. For the banging noise I will take it to a fast-fit shop today and see if they can see anything.

I think, ultimately, the answer is to get it to the garage, give them the list of problems and ask for a quote. If it's less than £200 (not including the IACV) then I'll probably get it fixed; if not, as HB says I think it's probably time to sell it on and get something else.

I was hoping that the car would at least last into the new year though -- at that point I should be able to buy a new car and relegate the Primera to second-car duties. This car was earmarked for my brother who is going to start learning to drive; this may not happen now :(
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Nov 2008 13:36
Myriad of faults - Rattle
Insurance would probably be too much of an issue for your brother anyway depending on his age.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Nov 2008 14:57
Myriad of faults - jase1
Noise is the driver's side wishbone -- not the end of the world, will get it into the local garage tomorrow AM -- and while I was in town I picked up some carb cleaner and went over the IACV once again -- car is now revving spot-on once again (I had been cleaning the valve with water up to now, but this cleaner expunged a whole load of new gunk that I was unaware of).

So, seems like the car isn't so near the scrapper after all -- it lives to fight another day.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link