I seem to have become the local Vauxhall mechanic overnight!!!

[ekjdm14]

As per the title it would appear that, some time over the last couple of days, I have become known for being somewhat of a Vauxhall specialist. First thing was a couple from down the road knocked on our door saying they'd seen me working on cars and could I have a look over their Vectra C for them with a view to replacing the alternator as it was draining it's battery, plus sort out some flickering LED bulbs and fit new glow plugs.

Anyway, I had a look and diagnosed the charging problem as actually being down to a broken aux. belt tensioner mounting (not sure of the cause, maybe something caught between belt & pulley). That car is now on our drive waiting for me to collect a £50 lump of aluminium from the dealer either later on or tomorrow.

OK pretty run-of-the-mill stuff so far, at least for what goes on round here... Weird thing is though while working on removing the damaged bracket another guy from further down the road came along and asked if I'd be interested in a '55 plate Signum with a blown turbo for £150, or an Astra van, stating his reason for asking me in particular as because "I've noticed you're into your Vauxhalls & see you've had a few Vectras and stuff so thought you might like another project..."

Me, into Vauxhalls.... not sure whether to be flattered at the offer of a cheap-ish project or offended at the accusation of being into Vauxhalls haha

Humour aside, I don't mind the old Vectra B as they're a reasonably good cheap workhorse with decent spec levels but I wouldn't say I was "into" them as such... Although I will admit that when I get a moment I'll be looking into the values of the Signum model, and prices on turbos etc, plus any pitfalls to look out for doing a turbo on a1.9 CDTi

[CitroJim]

I've had a few enquiries from passers-by asking if I'd fix their cars for them... Like you they see I'm 'into' my cars and assume I'm a motor mechanic by profession.. Maybe the overalls lead them to that conclusion.

I tell them I do it only as a pastime and I know absolutely nothing about cars bar a little about this one particular sort of Citroen I have... Which is absolutely true!!!

Next door has a Signum and has had it since new.. It's a diesel and sounds like a bag of spanners... £150 is not bad though... Did you take him up on the offer?

[demag]

A friend of mine is "into" Vauxhalls. He picked up a low mileage Vectra for silly money and its till going strong. 05 plate 1.9td, its had a few problems but nothing you wouldn't expect on an old car.
I worked with someone else about 20 years ago and he bought a new Signum. I think it was possibly a 2.0 diesel? It was a very smart looking car.

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[ekjdm14]

Likewise, I make it clear that I'm a hobby mechanic at best, & generally just do simple bits like this bracket/GP's as a favour (treat others as you'd wish to be treated & all that). I actually expressed doubt as to whether I'd be willing/able to do the GP job, as you're no doubt aware some types can be a pain and risk engine damage so would best be left to a business with insurance/specialist tools, but as it turns out the 2.0 DTi engine is actually quite a peach to work on and they came out willingly so that's a win.

The fact that the old items all work & the engine starts better if you leave it 10 seconds after the light goes out, however, would suggest an issue with the CTS also. If I had any diagnostic kit it'd be easier to prove but that's my thoughts at the moment. It's either that or a bit of air getting in the fuel anyway, leak off pipes don't look to be in their first flush of youth.

I've not actually looked at the Signum as yet, mainly as we're skint at this time of year. If it's still available after Christmas/New Year is out of the way then I may take a punt, pending my evaluation of whether it's worth it. I'd expect it to be worth that amount in parts anyway but we'll see on that front.

Also don't think the better half would be overjoyed to have another project blocking the 206 from getting on the driveway!

[demag]

Ah yes, the other half..... [emoji23]

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[CitroJim]

Ah yes, the other half..... [emoji23]

AKA SWIMBO*













* She Who Must Be Obeyed...

[demag]

Just remember it's easier to apologize after you've bought it than to ask permission and be refused!

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[CitroJim]

Just remember it's easier to apologize after you've bought it than to ask permission and be refused!

There speaks a wise man

[Peter.N.]

The last Vauxhall I owned had a straight 6 ohv engine, I wouldn't mind repairing one of those.

Peter

[CitroJim]

The last Vauxhall I owned had a straight 6 ohv engine, I wouldn't mind repairing one of those.

PA Cresta by any chance Peter?

You've got it Jim.

Peter

[mickeymoon]

I have a Vauxhall, it has a straight-4 with 16v and 1.6 litres. It's not so exciting. It seems reliable enough though.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Can't complain driven 130,000 miles in "Luton's Ellesmere Port's Finest" including 110,000 on a rebuilt Aisin Warner TF 80 SC 6 speed Automatic Gearbox (fitted to some Citroen C5 models amongst others), and still haven't had the nerve to change the fluid since the rebuild!

Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

The last Vauxhall I owned had a straight 6 ohv engine, I wouldn't mind repairing one of those.

PA Cresta by any chance Peter?

You've got it Jim.

Peter

Lovely Prettiest Vauxhall ever

I had a Cavalier many, many years ago when the kids were little. A very competent family car and a good tow-car...

It was fine for the job we needed it for at the time but it had zero charisma.. Just a 'white goods' car...

[Peter.N.]

I had a string of them from my youth Jim. First was a 1955 E model which was LHD, bought it because it was cheap! then I had a '56 E with the bigger rear window, had that for a year or two an fitted a Perkins diesel in it - didn't go very well but the fuel consumption was fantastic.

I had my first PA soon afterwards, it was pink, mountain rose it was called, that was the early one with the 3 piece rear window and indicators in the rear fins. A few years later I had the 1960 model with the tamed down rear end and I think the 2.6 engine.

Some years later when I started doing diesel conversions again I had a PB, not a particularly nice looking car and then a PC which was much nicer. Not had a Vauxhall since, had a series of Austins and Morrise's in the meantime and various makes I fitted diesels too - then I discovered the Citroen CX .....


Peter

[Zelandeth]

Used to have a Cresta that was a regular at one of my formerly local shows.







Have to admit that I've always liked the look of the Signum, especially the sportier factory version which looked really mean with the slightly lower suspension and the bodykit on. Only ever seen one of them though! Shape just seemed to suit that sort of treatment really well, and I reckon Vauxhall had got the balance right, and managed to avoid it ending up looking like something that had crashed into the "accessories" aisle in Halfords!