Soldato
Hi motors
The GFs 13 year old Astra needs a bit more nursing and this got me thinking.. If I share the ways I've managed to keep the car on the road without breaking the bank, maybe others could share their knowledge by adding their clever fixes. Just to clarify, I'm talking actual repairs, not sawdust in the gearbox type bodges just to enable a quick sale, but having said that I'd also be interested to hear about any roadside brainwaves people have had to enable them to continue their journey, pending a more permanent repair.
Back to the Astra:
Just about to head home from a weekend down in Torquay and there was suddenly a terrible rattling sound..
Problem: Exhaust backbox heatshield had corroded away at the fixing points and was wedged between the backbox and the floorpan of the boot.
Solution: Bought pliers, screwdriver and a can of coke from a one of those discount shops for less than a fiver. Fashioned the base of the can into a large cup washer and used the middle fixing point to support the heatshield. Drove home without so much as a rattle and fixed it permanently at home with proper washers front and rear.
Problem: Oil sump drain plug seized.
Solution: Bought a neat little 12v pump from Germany online for £18 that allows the oil to be pumped out via the dipstick hole. Also the oil filter is high up on the front of the engine so oil changes couldn't be easier now! 4 oil changes on and the pump is going strong.
Problem: Coolant expansion tank filler cap stuck on. It can be loosened when engine warm and gases escape but can't be removed, it's jammed on.
Solution: remove both hoses at the radiator that lead from the expansion tank (feed and return) and secure above the level of the expansion tank. With a little funnel inserted in one of the pipes, top up the coolant while the other pipe acts as a breather. Then reattach the pipes to the radiator.
The GF loves this little car (I know, it's an old Astra), no doubt something uneconomic to repair will come along, but until then it'll be pumps, funnels and whatever else I can think up.
Please share your clever fixes.
The GFs 13 year old Astra needs a bit more nursing and this got me thinking.. If I share the ways I've managed to keep the car on the road without breaking the bank, maybe others could share their knowledge by adding their clever fixes. Just to clarify, I'm talking actual repairs, not sawdust in the gearbox type bodges just to enable a quick sale, but having said that I'd also be interested to hear about any roadside brainwaves people have had to enable them to continue their journey, pending a more permanent repair.
Back to the Astra:
Just about to head home from a weekend down in Torquay and there was suddenly a terrible rattling sound..
Problem: Exhaust backbox heatshield had corroded away at the fixing points and was wedged between the backbox and the floorpan of the boot.
Solution: Bought pliers, screwdriver and a can of coke from a one of those discount shops for less than a fiver. Fashioned the base of the can into a large cup washer and used the middle fixing point to support the heatshield. Drove home without so much as a rattle and fixed it permanently at home with proper washers front and rear.
Problem: Oil sump drain plug seized.
Solution: Bought a neat little 12v pump from Germany online for £18 that allows the oil to be pumped out via the dipstick hole. Also the oil filter is high up on the front of the engine so oil changes couldn't be easier now! 4 oil changes on and the pump is going strong.
Problem: Coolant expansion tank filler cap stuck on. It can be loosened when engine warm and gases escape but can't be removed, it's jammed on.
Solution: remove both hoses at the radiator that lead from the expansion tank (feed and return) and secure above the level of the expansion tank. With a little funnel inserted in one of the pipes, top up the coolant while the other pipe acts as a breather. Then reattach the pipes to the radiator.
The GF loves this little car (I know, it's an old Astra), no doubt something uneconomic to repair will come along, but until then it'll be pumps, funnels and whatever else I can think up.
Please share your clever fixes.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
