Engine nightmare with a Vectra 1.9CDTi 150 on a 05 plate

**sailingthewild** · 14th May 2010, 10:49

Hi - I have a Vectra 1.9CDTi which was occasionally having problems with lack of acceleration and I would get the spanner sign.
I was aware that this might be the swirl valve. However a month back the car would not start.
Took it to a local garage they said probably swirl valves - need to look.
They had a look and said they fell to pieces and need to be replaced. (£700 -ish) I said drat but if thats what it takes I'll pay it and then sell the Vectra. Thinking to save time and effort I asked if stripping down swirl valves mean we may as well do timing belt - thay said no.
The next day they said yes we should replace it (up to £1000 now). In hind respect I think they were realising the problem was something else and the timing belt give them more time.
They then think it might be electrical - so it gets sent to the electrical guys who say its not that.
Then finally, they tell me that all four cyclinder are not giving the right pressure - especially two of them and my options are throw more money at it or replace with second hand engine. (They think the latter)
How do you escape from this nightmare? Should they have tested the cyclinder pressure before anything else. Should they consider replacing a timing belt when they have not sorted out the main fault it went in for?

The main question is what fault could it be that reduces the pressure in the cyclinder head on two or four cylinders so suddenly. Should I risk more money. Should I buy an engine. Apart from parts that have been used should I ask the garage to modify their charge or is it just one of those things.

**Dan_BlackSRi** · 14th May 2010, 10:53

What work has been done in reference to the fault...?

Not sure whats actually been done, or just whats been said.

**DaveW555** · 14th May 2010, 14:17

Sounds to me like they haven't got the faintest idea whats wrong with it. Take it to a proper mechanic next time matey not some dreamers who couldn't fix a push bike.

**sailingthewild** · 14th May 2010, 14:19

The fault was the car does not start.

Solution by them was:-
They fitted a upgrade kit (£400) for the swirl valves etc + labour
They then suggested changing the timing belt kit (£120) +labour.

So that is near £1000 of work and they say its not fixed.

They are suggesting engine replacement

**Big Sig** · 14th May 2010, 14:33

Have you had the fault codes read yet? Might help narrow it down a little.

**Critch** · 14th May 2010, 14:41

did it crank over when it wouldnt start?

**RikD** · 14th May 2010, 15:57

First none starting issue i had was fuses blow.

Second was after being used, it would either take 3-4 key turns to start or not start for a few hours, It wouldn't crank or anything it was just dead, this was diagnosed as a dodgy startermotor, which is apparently a common failure.
However the problem returned and was now diagnosed as "intermittant ECU fault" And its currently having a replacement ECU fitted.

Mines an 04 plate.

**DaveW555** · 14th May 2010, 17:39

It makes sense to change the timing belt kit when you do the swirl flaps as you have to remove the timing belt and diesel pump to remove the manifold.

**the-wizard** · 14th May 2010, 17:53

unfortunatly someone has mis-informed you!, the belt does 'not' have to be removed or replaced to change the inlet manifold!, the belt does not have to be moved, and as i did with mid mileage was far to low to even bother, and for the first post i would not be happy with work carried out as they dont seem to know what they are doing.

**DaveW555** · 14th May 2010, 18:34

Sorry yeah forgot you can lock the pump pulley with the bolts through the back plate, was thinking that by the sound of the garage he's using they probably wont think to do that and would have took the belt off.