13th Jan 2010, 06:13

Re the diagnosis of a throttle body problem - a diesel engine doesn't have a throttle!!

I would be instantly concerned if a mechanic said that to me.

14th Jan 2010, 03:27

Re my first post on the 4th Jan 2010, 13:13.

It was not the throttle body as stated, as it does not have one.

It was the intake manifold and gasket I had replaced, and all seems fine for now.

It was the woman at the garage reception that stated throttle body, so I took that up with the manager and he said she confused the job with another, and told me what was wrong with another persons car, LOL.

I wish you guys all the best of luck with your car troubles, and judging by some of the stuff I've read about the Zafira, I'm sure it's not going to be long before posting on here again.

All the best

M O'D.

17th Jan 2010, 18:09

Driving north on the M40 this weekend with my wife, 3 children and their grandparents aboard my 2003 Elegance TDi. Thankfully in the middle lane at 65 mph; without warning the car felt like a parachute had been attached to the back end, it would not pick up, but didn't completely die. 15 miles later at 45-50 mph I managed to reach the next services, and after turning ignition off and then on again, I was able to rev the engine above 2,500 revs. Engine spanner light had come on too! But reset itself after restart. Continued journey and return without further ado, but having read these comments, am wondering whether this is just the start of a nightmare.

Will try the cleaning of the EGR valve/Fuel cleaner/etc. (cheap fix) There seems to be the same symptoms, but with differing solutions, aren't there any Vauxhall mechanics reading this who can make life a little easier for us D.I.Y's owners; surely they can narrow it down to maybe 1 or 2 regular problems. Here's hoping.

The Twigster.

28th Jan 2010, 08:03

I wish I had seen this site before buying our 2005 2.0 DTi six months ago.

We now have a car that doesn't like long hill climbs or motorway journeys (loses power and engine light on), been told this could be the EGR valve.

Had poor start from cold just before Xmas, resulting in new fuel leak off pipes.

Now 3 weeks into the new year, it won't start from slightly warm - mechanics are now scratching their heads at what it could be with not logging any fault codes, & I've a car I daren't go out in.. soooo wish I hadn't bought this car.

28th Feb 2010, 11:32

52 Plate Elegance 2L DTI with start issues. If I don't use the car for a day, it is a pig to start.

Did some diagnoses and decided new glow plugs were in order (very bad idea). Found the first plug had been snapped at the hex point, removed two and snapped the last one in the head again at the hex point, garage was estimating £800 -£1000 to remove head and get the rest of the glowplug out.

Called a thread specialist, who removed them in situ for £100 each, don't buy cheap glowplugs, only using NGK or Bosch now.

Still poor starting. Been in the garage for diagnostic check, all seems fine, suspect fuel pump now, AGHHHHHHH!

1st Mar 2010, 09:25

Get your vacuum pipes checked, and also check the leak off pipes, as I had the same problem, and with the 2 jobs stated done, all is fine.

3rd Mar 2010, 06:40

I own a 2000 Y reg 1.8 Zafira, and have had nothing but trouble. It cannot cope with motorways; every time it goes on a long stretch, it cuts out with no power and I have to rev the car to keep it going. Sometimes it won't start at all, and then bunny hops making an awful sound. The daft orange spanner light keeps coming on, and I am worried it will be an expensive job to fix. It is off to the garage tomorrow (if I make it there) as it is undriveable. It also uses an unbelievable amount of oil and petrol. Had enough of it; will never buy a Zafira again.

3rd Mar 2010, 17:44

I own a 2001 Y reg 1.8 Opel Zafira (previously owned by family member from new), and at around 60.000 it had a water pump fail, leading to an expensive engine rebuild, (listen for high pitch whistle coming from engine bay, especially if the engine temp gauge isn't working LOL).

From when I got it, well it was fine for about a month until it wouldn't start. Bought a new battery and it was fine for a week or two, until the power steering totally failed. Bought a new ebay power steering pump, and swapped it over myself (you will need small hands for this) as the garage quoted over £1000 LOL.

Anyhow, the car has been OK since then apart from it using a lot of oil on long trips (told sticky piston ring was cause of oil loss). However, the other day when over taking a slow driver, the engine management light came on and has been on ever since. No power loss and no other problems. This is strange and I am looking into what is the "problem". Apart from the fact it's a Opel/Vauxhall that is :|

If anyone knows where I plug in the fault diagnostic thing, please let me know by email thanks. lith1umx@hotmail.com

I had a Cavalier before, and that had all the sensor problems and cut outs after a cheap garage screwed it up. I sold it off cheap to get rid of it in the end, as replacing sensors and cleaning pipes etc didn't work.

My advise is definitely don't take your car to a dealer (unless under warranty) or a cheap garage. Try to find the problem yourself and fix it yourself, or if you cannot, then try to part ex/ sell the car and buy something German branded :)