02 Astra SRi Turbo - Keeps cutting out and running like crap!

The Short 1 · 30 Jan 2010 at 16:16

Ok, I shall set the scene. I was overtaking on a dual carriage way (not raking it, just a casual overtake at 50) when the engine started hesitating. Slowed down for a roundabout and then i pulled away it started hesitating again and i could hear, what i assume, is the turbo and air escaping. Ive looked to see if any of the pipes have slipped off and as far as i can see they havent. Car with the spanner light came up, car started jumping and then died as i took my foot of the accelerator.

Had the RAC guy come and have a look with his tools and the fault code was P0100 (AFM). Traction control light pops up and stays on when the engine is revved. RAC guy said thats its running very rich and its popping and bubbling all over the place.

So this morning, i got myself a new AFM sensor and battery (as the old one died at the same time :S) and changed it all over but still I have the same issue!

Problems consist of:

When revved it just about hits the 5k mark
Whole car shakes and pops when revved
Boost gauge wont go above 0
It wont idle, just keeps cutting out
Its overfuelling
Traction control lights pop up

Can anyone shed any light on whats happening? I dont really know where to look as its my 1st turbo car and im not mechanically minded lol.

Adam_D200 · 30 Jan 2010 at 16:19

I'd have suggested a pipe taking air from the turbo to the intercooler or manifold has popped off or cracked. Sounds quite like a big boost leak, especially since it happened when overtaking - does the intercooler have metal or plastic end tanks (worth checking those too - especially if they are plastic). Weak soapy solution in a spray bottle is handy for finding smaller leaks.

We had an older non turbo astra which started doing something similar, traced the fault to a split vacuum hose behind the engine - worth checking all the tiny hoses for leaks too.

Fr0dders · 30 Jan 2010 at 16:20

This isnt something that you going to fix yourself

Get it booked into a garage is what you should do.

agw_01 · 30 Jan 2010 at 16:23

A boost leak (from the inlet pipes) won't really stop the car hitting the rev limiter or make it shake when it's revved. Vacuum pipes are a different story.

Sounds like it could be misfiring. Check the coil packs.

The Short 1 · 30 Jan 2010 at 16:35

MrLOL said:
This isnt something that you going to fix yourself

Get it booked into a garage is what you should do.

I think i might have to now

agw_01 said:
A boost leak (from the inlet pipes) won't really stop the car hitting the rev limiter or make it shake when it's revved. Vacuum pipes are a different story.

Sounds like it could be misfiring. Check the coil packs.

Wouldnt there be a fault code for this though?

Dogbreath · 30 Jan 2010 at 16:50

agw_01 said:
Sounds like it could be misfiring. Check the coil packs.

That would be my suggestion as well.

The Short 1 · 30 Jan 2010 at 17:12

Ok i will look into that.

Could it be the engine coolant temp sensor?? RAC guy mentioned something about that the other day but then decided on the AFM

cee-S-dee · 30 Jan 2010 at 17:37

I'd look at your ignition components. Does it run a stock recirculating valve or has it got a VTA BOV on it?

Muncher · 30 Jan 2010 at 17:40

Almost certainly the AFM has failed which is very common on the VX220 Turbo.

Begbie · 30 Jan 2010 at 17:43

Muncher said:
Almost certainly the AFM has failed which is very common on the VX220 Turbo.

Read the ****ing OP!

Already been replaced.

Muncher · 30 Jan 2010 at 19:15

Begbie said:
Read the ****ing OP!

Already been replaced.

Oops, skim read it.

MikeHiow · 30 Jan 2010 at 19:40

+1 for vacuum pipe off.

Defcon5 · 30 Jan 2010 at 19:50

Cant see what would cause the TC light to come on. Im with the ignition crowd

Fr0dders · 30 Jan 2010 at 19:51

Defcon5 said:
Cant see what would cause the TC light to come on. Im with the ignition crowd

when i unplug the Air Mass meter on the vectra it brings up an Emission Light, Spanner Light and the T/C light.

Normal thing on vauxhalls i presume.

Muncher said:
Almost certainly the AFM has failed which is very common on the VX220 Turbo.

We thought mine had on the vectra for a while

The idle was "hunting" going all over the place. revving from 1500 to 600rpm when it was supposed to be a steady idle. It brought the EML light and the spanner light and kept stalling. Generally juddering all over the place.

the cause ? loose pipe to the intercooler. This resulted in the air mass meter gaining an air reading in the intake systems much less than it actually was. This caused it to get the air/fuel mix all wrong and generally run like a bag of spanners.

Fix ? just re-attached the pipe.

agw_01 said:
A boost leak (from the inlet pipes) won't really stop the car hitting the rev limiter or make it shake when it's revved. Vacuum pipes are a different story.

Sounds like it could be misfiring. Check the coil packs.

mine did. It was one of the pipes two/from the intercooler that came loose. Funnily enough, i sold the car with this problem (it happened again and was one of the reasons i wanted rid) and the garage diagnosed the issue the exact same way. They rang me when replacing the ignition coil packs didnt work !