My engine problem beat the main dealer !!!!!

**The Pipsqueak** · 2nd January 2010, 21:12

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98353

Following on from this one above..(hope the link works)..the main dealer GAVE UP!!...
In case the link hasn't worked, here's a brief resume in the hope anyone on here can help, offer a potential solution or at least, recommend somewhere that could help.

My 1.9Cdti water pump bearing failed slipping the timing belt out by about 10 teeth.
So....new water pump, cambelt bits etc, Cylinder head off, bottom end checked & OK. Valves checked by a reputable specialist. Confirmed straight & OK. 16 new (non-OEM) followers + gasket kit + headset etc and back to the dealers for re-assembly.

It's now underpowered, completely flat and the EML coming on when turbo says "no more" after about 3K.

Anyway, EGR changed by dealer , Swirl valves and inlet manifold changed by dealer, head and block supposedly Ok, turbo OK, no hoses or clips off etc.....but it still hasn't got enough power to pull your hat off !!

The main dealer who was trying to fix it just said..."It's got me beat...I want out"...gave me a full refund for any work done and said 'here ye are...have it back"

So, got an underpowered, underperforming 1.9 Cdti 150 Elite that feels like a 1.0 with no clue as to what to change next.

Anyone any ideas ????? All suggestions welcome as the dealer says he's used over 20 man hours so far and has drawn a blank???

**cerbrious** · 2nd January 2010, 21:37

any idea of the code thats throwing on the eml?

**garymercbham** · 2nd January 2010, 21:45

It may be a shot in the dark,have they tried running it with the exhaust/cat disconected. it may be blocked. If every thing else as been cheaked by the dealer.it would be worth giving it a try.

**Big Sig** · 2nd January 2010, 21:46

if its got a DPF.

Terrible service in the fact they couldn't fix it. Hope you have been on to VX!

**m8internet** · 2nd January 2010, 22:13

Agreed, quite strange for a VX dealership to cease repair work and offer a full refund
Are we getting the whole story?
However, if the customer has supplied some or all the parts this may explain why they have taken the decision to cease repair work

Normally if they are unable to diagnose a fault or a repair is completed but the fault persists they usually call in the area engineer to see if they can better diagnose

Sadly dealerships (and it's not just resrticted to VX) rely too heavily on fault codes and basic repair sheets
When it is something more technical or involved, typically they don't know or understand
A good example of this is the diesel or aircon side of the engine, many dealerships give this work to a third party with more experience or specialist equipment

**fastcarmanaic** · 2nd January 2010, 22:21

Originally Posted by garymercbham

It may be a shot in the dark,have they tried running it with the exhaust/cat disconected. it may be blocked. If every thing else as been cheaked by the dealer.it would be worth giving it a try.

this is worth a go.
it would also help explain why the turbo runs out of puff far too early.

As stated further up, would also need to know what fault codes are stored.

**The Pipsqueak** · 2nd January 2010, 22:26

Thanks guys....No DPF present.

The only code it was showing was something like 2029/2209 etc which is linked to swirl valve operation, but they've checked out all swirl related stuff...and changed swirl flaps and inlet manifold. . Now the EML comes on if you try to boot it, and the turbo cuts out and doesn't come on again until you switch off and restart. The EML then disappears so it's a temporary one to cut the turbo out and it isn't stored in the ECU when it happens.
Apparently this is a fail-safe to prevent further or more serious damage ...

??

It definitely wasn't p1109 Swirl Actuator Malfunction.

They 'bugged-out' because it's well out of warranty and I can't afford to just keep throwing £500 at them every few days for another hopeful fix that doesn't work.....

Just a local (Cambs) place who are prepared to take it on in a "no fix no fee" deal would be good...........any old tinkerer can have a go if it helps....

**Big Sig** · 2nd January 2010, 22:28

The turbo dies as it drops into limp home mode, the fact it has no boost may or may not be related to your problem.

**cerbrious** · 2nd January 2010, 22:29

could possibly do with being taken for a drive whilst on diagnostics to assess the live data

**The Pipsqueak** · 2nd January 2010, 23:07

[Agreed, quite strange for a VX dealership to cease repair work and offer a full refund
Are we getting the whole story?
However, if the customer has supplied some or all the parts this may explain why they have taken the decision to cease repair work

Well, I guess that is their 'out',..although the cyl. head check was done by one of the companies the 'group' use themselves

][The turbo dies as it drops into limp home mode, the fact it has no boost may or may not be related to your problem....

It;s the turbo coming in and giving it too much ''ooomph;' that triggers the limp mode, not the fact that it happens first and then the turbo takes a back seat afterwards. So not sure what to do. Either boot it until the turbo triggers LIMP mode at about 3500rpm, or drive it like a 1.2 diesel non-turbo and risk my life pulling out at every junction.

There must be proper engine rebuilders or some sort of performance specialists in this part of the country who can diagnose and fix it without too much fuss.....some of these guys knock them up out of a pile 'o bits, nevermind a whole unit that just needs an accurate fault-find....plllleeeeasee someone..............