60 plate Astra- two engines in two years

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 2 Nov 2012 19:46
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - Glenn 42

Been talking to my niece, whose friend's Astra's engine blew up last night due to lack of oil and they had to be towed 130 miles home. When I thought this was an old car, I was shocked to hear this was a 60 plate, which had recently had a full service, and apparently the engine blew up a year again due to lack of oil. This clearly is pathetic on a 2 year old fully serviced car and now the dealer is saying that her friend has to pay for the second engine, even though it was not his fault. Two engines in two years and now a massive bill for a replacement engine from Vauxhall is not acceptable in this day and age and surely an engine should last more than 10,000 miles. I have advised my niece to ask her friend to make a formal complaint to Vauxhall and also to the dealer who does not have a good reputation and is also breaching the warranty by making him pay for a new engine.

Anyone else experienced such rotten luck with a new shape Astra as even an FSO from the eighties wasn't this bad?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Nov 2012 20:25
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - Chris M

Assume your neice's friend checked the oil level occassionally?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Nov 2012 20:26
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - MikeTorque

What do you mean when you say "it blew up" ?

How often was the oil level checked for each of these cars ? Did they notice the oil light come on prior to the engine blowing ?

The oil level (using the dipstick) needs to be regularly checked on all vehicles including new cars.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Nov 2012 21:02
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom

I think we need clarification on this ...

An engine running low on oil would normally - first of all bring in the oil pressure warning light - at which point the driver should stop and check the oil level. Second - the engine would get noisy and hot, shown by the temperature gauge rising, at which point the driver really, really, should stop. Thirdly - the enginge would sieze up rather than blow up. I read that there are many modern engines around which can go between 10,000 mile services without a top-up, but if used on long trips of over 100 miles at a time with high-speed motorway use, then it would always be wise to check the dip-stick and top up if necessary. Even without long trips, the dip-stick should be checked regularly, as should the tyre pressures, coolant level and power steering fluid.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Nov 2012 23:22
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - bathtub tom

I'd guess we never see the OP again.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 08:38
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - daveyK_UK

This is one of an increasing number of horror stories and poor build quality issues with the latest astra.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 08:55
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - Engineer Andy

What a shame - I thought Vauxhall had made a conscious effort to increase the build quality of their cars in the past 5 years - from the sound of it they've still got some way to go to catch up with the best from the Far East. A pity - I like the look (drive seems good too) of the Astra GTC.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 10:09
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - PatrickO

Must admit I only put oil in my car when the oil warning light comes on, admitedly I do stop straight away and put a litre in which I always ensure I have in the car. Is that tutting, sharp intake of breath and teeth sucking I hear? :)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 10:38
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - mss1tw

Must admit I only put oil in my car when the oil warning light comes on, admitedly I do stop straight away and put a litre in which I always ensure I have in the car. Is that tutting, sharp intake of breath and teeth sucking I hear? :)

As long as you never have to rely on your car in an emergency or for a sudden long distance trip

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 12:07
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - Engineer Andy

Is heavy use of oil (or it turning black very quickly) between services a common thing cars? I don't know if I've just been lucky, or its a trait of Japanese cars (the origin of both cars I've owned) that they generally don't. This would be useful when (relatively soon) I choose my next car.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 15:22
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - galileo

Is heavy use of oil (or it turning black very quickly) between services a common thing cars? I don't know if I've just been lucky, or its a trait of Japanese cars (the origin of both cars I've owned) that they generally don't. This would be useful when (relatively soon) I choose my next car.

I've had 3 Toyota Corollas and a Hyundai i30, none have used significant amounts of oil between annual services (9-10000 miles driven) and nor has SWMBO's 2 Toyota Yaris's.

Totally agree that anyone who doesn't check oil (and tyre pressures, coolant etc) at least every couple of weeks deserves to have to pay for oil-using engines they destroy, especially after the first occurrence.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 11:34
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - bathtub tom

>> I only put oil in my car when the oil warning light comes on

Is that an oil level or oil pressure warning light?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 12:38
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - thunderbird

Must admit I only put oil in my car when the oil warning light comes on, admitedly I do stop straight away and put a litre in which I always ensure I have in the car. Is that tutting, sharp intake of breath and teeth sucking I hear? :)

Total stupidity. How long does it take to check the oil level. God help anyone who buys one of your cast offs, they probably come on here moaning about being robbed when they bought there car.

Don't blame the car, blame the idiot owner.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 12:58
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - SteveLee

Total stupidity. How long does it take to check the oil level. God help anyone who buys one of your cast offs, they probably come on here moaning about being robbed when they bought there car.

Don't blame the car, blame the idiot owner.

+1

Some people shouldn't be allowed to drive cars.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 4 Nov 2012 16:01
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - PatrickO

Well, 8 years & 90,000 miles in & the cars running fine thanks, I have no intention of selling it either. Each to their own.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 13:00
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - SteveLee

Been talking to my niece, whose friend's Astra's engine blew up last night due to lack of oil and they had to be towed 130 miles home. When I thought this was an old car, I was shocked to hear this was a 60 plate, which had recently had a full service, and apparently the engine blew up a year again due to lack of oil.

Tell your niece's friend to get a bus pass - some people are too stupid to own cars.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 20:24
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - Canon Fodder

I agree with Bathtub Tom

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 3 Nov 2012 20:54
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - gordonbennet

I agree with Bathtub

Me too, if this was normal VX pattern the net would be full of it.

Its quite astonishing however just how many people never so much as raise the bonnets on their cars and drive for weeks oblivious to the grinding of brake pad steel plate, pity they don't have a suitable message tattoed on their forheads for those unfortunate enough to view a car they are trying to sell.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 4 Nov 2012 16:43
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - craig-pd130

A number of owners' manuals for modern cars state that oil consumption of up to a litre / 1000km is 'normal' ... it will depend on the individual car, engine, how it's been run in and driving conditions, etc.

But as others have said, oil is not a fit-and-forget component. It needs checking.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 4 Nov 2012 18:46
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - Dave0711
I own two BMWs, an E36 petrol and an E60 diesel. Neither use more than a thimble full of oil between oil changes. Both have over 100k on the clock. As for checking oil levels I do so less frequently as I know the cars. Also bear in mind that some modern cars don't have a dipstick so some previous comments seem a little harsh. I don't know whether this applies to the Astra but if the oil level measurement is electronic then I fail to see how the dealer can void the warranty.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 4 Nov 2012 21:10
60 plate Astra- two engines in two years - Smileyman

Time for your neice to seek legal advice, search for one with specific experience in the motor industry. In the past I've seem posts from such a person, but I cannot point to the exact instance.

The worse that can happen is being told there is no case to answer, so there is nothing to loose.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

10 warranty myths exposed

Here’s how to sort the fact from the fiction when it comes to car warranties.

Cheap Car Warranties

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....