Faults:
Lets see now:
Problems initially started when the Heater Matrix was leaking water into the car, which meant that passengers travelling in the back could enjoy a paddle whilst on the road (A great feature that came free with the car) - This Cost about £100 to supply and fit a second hand heater matrix.
Exhaust (Back Box) collapsed internally - This cost about £52 for a replica back box.
Engine overheated and blew a hole in the radiator - This cost about £70 for a second hand radiator (which was fitted by myself) - Vauxhall generously grant you at least 1.27 inches in which to remove the fan, disconnect all pipes and remove the radiator.
Oil Cooler started leaking Oil into the water system of the car, which is the reason why the engine overheated causing the above problems. The Oil cooler sits right in the middle of the heads (Being a 45 degree 'V') meaning that most bits that sit on top of the engine i. e Exhaust manifold, injectors, rocker covers, and all the appropriate gaskets etc have to be removed.
As you can imagine the work was extensive hence the highly appreciated quote of £4000 was offered by Vauxhall.
Unfortunately the Oil Cooler blew 3 times, meaning that each time the work noted above had to be carried out, on a car valued at £1200.
Alternator packed up at 70,000 miles, sounds like an easy job.. Unfortunately, the alternator is challengingly placed at the bottom of the engine (how ingenious), meaning another 7 hour job, in a pit removing the downpipe in order to have enough room to remove the alternator.
Need I go on?!?
17th Oct 2004, 13:30
I have one of these cars and think that it is a great car.. I do agree that it costs a lot when things go wrong, but what do you expect from a car with a 2.5 v6 cav, this is hardly a 1.1 fiesta.. so just maybe it will be a little more expensive to fix??
People that can't afford to fix fast expensive engines really shouldn't by them..
Thankyou.