AutoBox, Air Con and Cam Chain

Renko31

Hi All

I'm new to the forum and have just recently bought a Vectra C LS '52 plate with an autobox.

After buying I discovered this site and all the very knowledgeable and helpful people on here.

I would like to ask for your advice on the topics above.

1) Autobox - the autobox has quite a kick to it when the engine is cold and it is changing down to 2nd. Is this a known problem and does anyone have a possible solution?
2) AirCon - this seems to wheeze out of the drivers side vent when active, but I only seem to get outside air through the other vents on the dash. Is this just a case that the aircon needs re-gassing, or is it something more serious?
3) And finally, the car is now on 97K+ and there is nothing in the service manual about the cam-chain being changed. I'd like to get this done, so does anyone know of a suitable garage/mechanic in the north east london/Essex area who I can go to?

Many thanks for your time.

Renko

Matt

3 - I'd highly recommend a drive to Wolverhampton to see Benny for the Timing Chain.

Renko31

Matt said:
3 - I'd highly recommend a drive to Wolverhampton to see Benny for the Timing Chain.

Thanks Matt. I was hoping to get it done a bit closer to home, but given all the positive comments about Benny and his work, a drive up to Wolverhampton may be in order !

astra22bertoneauto

You could try getting the oil changed in the auto box see if that helps. I have changed mine a couple of times now.

Also AtomX is closer (Milton Keynes) for the timing chain

Renko31

astra22bertoneauto said:
You could try getting the oil changed in the auto box see if that helps. I have changed mine a couple of times now.

Also AtomX is closer (Milton Keynes) for the timing chain

Cheers. Milton Keynes would be less of a trek. Interesting about the oil on the auto box. I will investigate that. Any ideas how much it might cost to get it changed?

astra22bertoneauto

Renko31 said:

astra22bertoneauto said:
You could try getting the oil changed in the auto box see if that helps. I have changed mine a couple of times now.

Also AtomX is closer (Milton Keynes) for the timing chain

Cheers. Milton Keynes would be less of a trek. Interesting about the oil on the auto box. I will investigate that. Any ideas how much it might cost to get it changed?

I cant remember how much it costs but ring your local Vx dealer and ask them for a price. I find that changing the oil makes the autobox run smoother with gearchanges etc. As for it changing down that could be down to the engine struggling for power, resulting in the box kicking down a gear etc. Either that or there is lead attached to your right foot! 😃

ATOM_X

I can probably sort you out

PM me

Renko31

Hi All

Thanks for all your help. Just thought I'd post an update.

AtomX kindly offered to do the timing chain and auto box, but wasn't available until a couple of weeks later.

Before then I started it up one evening got the dreaded rattle. I drove it home and had lack of power and it was making the dash vibrate.

So I contacted the local VX garage and got it booked in. They replaced the timing chain, balance chain, replaced the oil in the auto box and serviced and re-gassed the air con.

Cost a pretty penny (over 1,100) but all working now. Only thing I noticed is that it seems to have less torque now - it revs up to 3,000 before changing gear.

But aside from that, it is running OK at the moment.

astra22bertoneauto

Have you tried pushing the "S" (sports) button on the gear lever?

If in normal mode driving and it changes gear around 3000rpm then i would say that is ok. But sports mode should allow you to rev much higher than that.

Renko31

astra22bertoneauto said:
Have you tried pushing the "S" (sports) button on the gear lever?

If in normal mode driving and it changes gear around 3000rpm then i would say that is ok. But sports mode should allow you to rev much higher than that.

Don't have a Sports mode (it's only an LS!).

But I wasn't quite clear. Prior to the work being done, getting to 3,000 revs was quite rare. The box changed up the gears pretty quickly, which gave good acceleration and meant the engine was quiet.

Now it seems it has to get to 3,000 revs before changing gear. In 1st that just makes the engine noisy without giving much extra acceleration.

I now feel like I'm going to have change gear manually because the auto box is waiting too long.

astra22bertoneauto

Could i see a pic of your gear lever and surround? Im shocked you dont have a sports button notsure.gif

Have you also tried your kickdown switch on the accelerator?

astra22bertoneauto

Reason i ask is because either there is a sports button (which the Vx technician left on) and youve not realised it or there is something else wrong....

By what you have described i think its likely that the car has been left in sports mode but you are driving it carefully - which would explain why its taking ages to change gear (3000rpm) if that makes sense.