My son has an Astra... It's a 1600, 16V, Ecotech sports manual. W reg.
It froze up...he didn't check the coolant. I think he must have tried to tow start it, thinking it was just the starter clicking or battery flat. It seems certain the belt has slipped, because the valves are broken and some are embedded in the head and pistons.. I'm sure a conrod has gone as well. Engineer got the head off today.
So, the rest of the car is mint, new tyres, battery , exhaust and he does really look after it .
We got it cheap off a friend of his. Now I'm in agreement with my man with the torque wrench that the cheapest option is to source an engine out of a write-off and fit it. There are some available around the country.
Question. I'll have to get the engine code off it tomorrow, will there be any electronic implications fitting a replacement, will a 2 litre be the same engine , there are a few of those on the market as well although I'm not bothered about upping the size for any reason but availability.
I think the last engine swaps I did ,apart from the Jowett, were an old Mk 1 Kadette and a couple of Ladas. No ECUs or anything there !......Points is points !
Thanks.
Ted
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do a like for like swap otherwise you are going to need allsorts of extra bits harness ecu (engine) ecu (immobilizer) chip from keys security codes loads of grief for the man with the torque wrench its doable if you know what you are doing (not saying you dont but its grief),Regards TB ps not forgetting to inform dvla as to mods and insurance as to mods etc
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BTW the 2.0 is a totally different engine.
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1.6 16v engines plenty about find a nice one and fit no grief for fitter & you. cheaper in the pocket.
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Thanks for that Guys. I concur with BigT on that, I would prefer to keep it simples !!
We've got the head off so we'll shelve the job 'til a good mill is found.
Just have to have a look for the engine code tomorrow and off we go. Don't mind going for it if it's a good one. Stick a new belt on and maybe a clutch while it's out
You can uxually read between the lines on EBay ones...had a couple of good cheap cars that way !
Ted
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You gave your age away when you said "Jowett" BEst option will be like for like or as has been pointed out there will be all sorts of complications. It could also considerably effect the insurance as it will me a "modified car". Regards Peter
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Wow, my old Dad used to have a Jowett Javelin. Black. Wasn't that a vertically opposed engine, like the Bradford van (which he also had at one time ?)
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Horizontally opposed four(like old VW);Bradford was a horizontally opposed twin(like 2CV) but both were water-cooled.
Edited by jc2 on 03/02/2010 at 08:15
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Mine's a black one...picture of it in the my cars thread on discussion...before Christmas, I think.
Flat four OHV..the Bradford was side valve, effectively the same engine as first made in 1910..
Centenary of the first car made this year although made engines prior to that. Had mine 38 yrs. Much prefer to put one of their engines in than a modern....2 cables, three or four hoses and a couple of bowdens...voila ! No engine lift needed ..you can do it without a trolley jack, although it's easier with.
Back to the Astra. Just one point, going to get the code off the engine tomorrow but is it critical to get exactly the same code on the ' new ' engine or will any 1600, 16valve Ecotech be OK ? I know the final code numbers refer to stuff like compression ratio, etc.
Cheers
Ted
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Ted I assume its the X16XE or X16XEL? As far as I am aware both engines are identical but have slightly different output settings. You will probably want to get an exact match to avoid ECU issues as you will probably want to keep the original ECU to save having to swap all the key chips over etc.
I am sure it will be a good little project which will keep you busy I know the young ones on the Corsa site (some are 10 years+ younger than me) have no problems changing engines and there are a lot of good Astra forums out there who will be able to help you out on the technical stuff if nobody knows here.
Also be aware sometimes engine codes change when they are improved for the next model so an Astra H 1.6 16v will probably not fit in an Astra G due to different engine mountings.
Good luck with it :) You've not had much luck with cars this year :(.
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Hi Rats.
That's what i'm worried about. We can't find the code on the engine although we know where to look. Maybe best to get it out before getting a replacement unless Vauxhall know it from the VIN/Engine no.
I have a good pal who worked at Ellesmere Port until a year or so back. He was supervisor on paintwork rectification but he'll know someone, I'm sure.
Not doing myself...too old...Andy's got it ! Also there's a VX specialist breakers in town so he's going to get a call !
Ted
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Thanks O. We'll sort it between us. It's an old car but it's in very clean condition. I've noted a few lumps out of write offs with 40 to 50K on the clock...Will give it a new lease of life, it's got about 120K now. Hope U R well.
Ted
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