some advice please??

astradave

Hi, I was looking at buying an astra coupe 2.2 on a y 2001 plate with 55k,loverly car and want it until i read this about the timing chain problem?
The owner of the car said the chain snapped 17k ago and a new engine was fitted in feb 2003 by vaux?
Will this engine still have a problem and could the chain still snap?
Will the new engine be covered by warrenty even though the keeper of the car has had a non vaux garage do the last service on the new engine?

Thanks in advance?

dodger

The new egine should have the modifications in place to stop this happening, but there is no guarrentees, however do not let this put you off buying a 2.2 as it is a very good engine, just keep it maintained and will last a long time.

astradave

thanks mate,im in two minds as i dont want to spend 6 grand then have to have a new engine as i wont have the money,should the new engine have a warrenty with it?

dodger

It's normally guarenteed for 1 year for parts and labour, however if a non vauxhall dealer has done the servicing it could void the warrenty.

BTW welcome to the site mate there is plenty of information on here about timing chains, but like i said before do not let this put you off.

astradave

thanks for the welcome,im trying not to let it put me off but i dont want to drive a car and have a constant worry over my head,wish i could predict the future,the car to look at dont help as it has full leather,full irmscher body kit and is gorgeous,say's buy me all over it......lol

Daz

As dodger says m8,dont let it worry u too much,the 2.2 is a very good engine and performs well,
As long as u give them regular oil changes (i do mine every 3k) u shudnt have any worrys..

vocky

it should have the new chain kit fitted

just check the engine number, if it's above 11065400 then it's fine

astradave

Yeah i will check it,the engine was replaced feb 03 so should be ok i would of thought by then......i hope's any way.
I was just checking the astra sport site and checking through old posts on the 2.2,alot of people say the 1.8(z18xe) is no different to the 2.2 performance wise,i had a vectra with the late 1.8 engine,it was ok but only to about 110,can someone shed some light on this please? notsure.gif

goatboy

0-60 times are indeed very similar.
But the 2.2 has more bhp and more torque in the same car.
Its a much more torquey engine, and is lovely to drive. Best thing to do is go out and try both and see what you prefer.
I prefered the 2.2 because it is a bit more of a lazy engine, the 1.8 ain't bad but you'll have to thrash it more.
The chain can be a problem but then again so can a cam belt on a 1.8. At the end of the day you can get it replaced for as little as £250 so its not the end of the world if it starts getting a little noisey... rallygif

astradave

yeah true,only like 0.3 seconds in it to 60,never going to notice that...i suppose the 2.2 will be better 30-50 and 60-100 which is where it counts imo.
My thoughts on the timing chain is that if vxl say its good for 100k it should'nt make any funny noises or have to be replaced before 100k.
does the 2.2 pull good from 100?(not that i would do them speeds) :twisted:

Baz

youll notice the 2.2 pulls better the higher up the speed range mines pull brill at 90 onwards on my private runway it has been up to 140 and pulled good all the way up welcome to the site by the way 😃

astradave

thanks for the welcome baz,i had the sri 1.8 123bhp vectra which i found quiete a drivable car so the astra 2.2 being lighter and a bigger cc engine should feel even better,the car it self is a silver coupe with,
full irmscher body kit
full heated leather
electric sunroof
cd changer
new engine 17k ago by vxl

going to see it wednesday he wants £5995 ono,worth the price? 🙂

Baz

dont think you should worry to much about the timing chain like the guys have said keep regular oil changes about 5k max before each change and you shouldnt have any probs if you thinking about modin the car do all the simple cheap mods first but once theyve been done it does get expensive on the 2.2 but the little mods do make a diffrence i say go with it mate its a good engine and car and with if you look after ie oil changes and the like itl last a long time 😃

goatboy

£5995 seems a little high but not silly. The prices do vary a lot. For that I would expect a years MOT 6 months tax, a fresh service and a reasonable warranty.
I've seen them for £1500 cheaper but that get snapped up double quick.

The 2.2 easily pulls all the way up to 100mph. Only thing is it does it a bit too easily and is very refined at those speeds. I've looked down at the speedo a couple of times and realised I was going a tad too fast. rallygif
Its at the higher speeds the 2.2 really comes into its own...

goatboy

oh and silver is the best colour!

astradave

I will try for 5.5k,the car has 6 months tax and 6 months mot....or should i try him at a lower price? notsure.gif

Baz

start low mate and haggle a bit always haggle he will prob have a lower price in mind so try and get him to go to it when do you think you might get the car

astradave

going to look at it wednesday so possibly saturday,i dont mind paying a bit more as it has the full irmscher kit which i would of bought and fitted to a standard coupe any how,see'ing the prices of the kit and paint it would cost a fair bit on top of a standard coupe.

Baz

good luck mate hope you get it a good price if you buy it before the 29th you could pop along to the r/r day and meet the rest of the guys you dont have to go on the rollers

astradave

where is the rr day being held m8?