Vauxhall/Opel Astra 1.6 running poorly and no power... Problem found!

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Thank you
Hi
Let start by saying that even though I found the main problem, this was not repaired... at least not by me...
So this Astra, came to me with running issues, idling poorly, as if misfiring, and extremely sluggish...
On the ECU, code for timing, more specifically P0011...
Indeed issues with the timing were found, but this were overcame by a way bigger problem...
Follow me on this video to find out what was the problem...
Hope you enjoy the video.
Any questions or comments put them below.
Like always, thank you for watching!

[@malcolmdown9170]

I’ve seen cam shafts where the lobes are a press fit to the camshaft. When it snaps a timing belt the valves turn the lobes on the camshaft

[@LMAutoRepairs]

That's a very good point... Never checked is there where the case... ☺️ 👍👍👍

[@jemmace2586]

Wow what a mess those cylinders are. That's a scrap car right there, the labour on the engine fix alone is worth more than the car itself! I've owned a Astra G, 2.0 dti, it was a poorly treated car before I owned it so I was constantly faffing around with the engine, turned out the crankshaft was bent so I part exchanged it, obviously i let the dealer know about it. I bought a VW golf mk5 1.9tdi, perfect car for me, outside of servicing and age related mechanical job's (oil pump hex balance shaft, timing belt and water pump change) obviously running gear parts as well... I love the vag car's, they're great reliable car's, i hope i can keep my golf on the road for over 500k miles. It feels like it could do it! Thanks for the great video, we can never fail when we always learn and use the experience. 👍

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ Thanks! For watching and for your comment! 👍👍👍

[@BigDave1965]

I think Malcolmdown is correct, the lobes are pressed on like PSA ones so will move after interference- valves hitting pistons. Old school way is putting a tea spoon full of oil down the bores to see if compression returns or not. If it doesn't it's valves if it does it's bores/rings

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@matejanosvarga4478]

Very interesting one Luis, real crazy, I am buying into your explanation about the flood damage.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@cliffperry8470]

Yes always good to see how it is never mind if there was no fix . Great video again and you would never expect to see the rust there so something learned.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@user-tx7tw9yc6m]

I wish everyone who works on cars was as professional as you

[@malcolmdown9170]

It’s a fact. And Vauxhall use the press fit camshaft.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@ibby_786]

Great job by you. I hope you got good money to sort this fault.

[@mr.t2585]

This engine was hydrolocked. As a result cam lobes turned few degree when piston and valve had a contact as they are pressed. This is the reason why you can't time it correctly. Good way in manufacture to save the engine and change maybe only camshaft but bad way to diagnose it. Cylinders was too long in water as rust done it's work. So original engine was changed with a16xer from junk that was also junk. 😅😅

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😅 👍👍👍

[@MrByootox]

Soon as I seen the cylinder walls it was game over for that engine in my opinion. Your thoughts on that engine having flood damage is feasible. If the water wasn't removed quickly then it wouldn't have taken long to make a mess of the cylinder walls.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@confederatenationalist7283]

To add more to my earlier comments. In most respects the Astra/Zafira were better cars than their Ford counterparts.Which continued with the Ford ecoboost saga. The Zafira tourer was a very nice drive at least in 1.8 form. In my case I would have happily fixed it with a genuine Vauxhall/Opel replacement engine last listed at the cost of £3,000. But no surprise listed as no longer available. Also the maths of fixing v value of the car is erroneous. Its the cost, combined with the depreciation and maintenance of its replacement, which is the relevant figure. That v £3k + labour engine remove and fit at 75k miles is generally an easy choice which I wish that I could have been given.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍

[@neilmurphy845]

Flood car like the ones you see on KZbin driving through that English town with the little river wouldn't surprise me if this is one of those car's

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😅 Good point... lol 👍👍👍

[@MrRohanThomas]

Shows how oblivious some car owners are

[@thindo]

I thought they closed it

[@joaomorais6801]

Hi Luis another one worked by the local butcher it looks like the relutors at the end of the cams moved when they fitted the timing belt 😂😢

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@christopherlyons21]

IAS fan as I'm aware, the lobs are pressed on, the move on broken belt to stop engine damage

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@dharradi]

A thousand reasons that car came to you. Facts say it needs a new engine. Interesting video though. Tha ls for sharing.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@stevegerhart929]

Great video highlighting one horrible engine design

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@5Dale65]

Opel/Vauxhall Astra is also present in US by the brand Saturn Astra. But however Opel/Vauxhall Insignia was sold as Buick Regal of some generation. Strange 🤔

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@-DC-]

You can hear its low compression on cranking, Ive been doing this tooooooo.long 🤣😭😟

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@medtechnicien2663]

Hi Lewis how are you find i will to be good Can you help me please I have I problem of electronic power steering open Astra J 1.7 cdti 2012 years Can you give in method how the reprogramming EPS Opel Astra J thanks for help

[@petar443]

I want to point that even if the piston hit the valves like many comments mentioned, and thats what moved the lobes. I think that after you set the timing of the engine with the correct timingtools the p011 should be gone because the timing wheels did not shift.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@beluxauto5968]

Could have would have should have but Luis, the engine was f"""ked. Even if you would have changed out the cam for the right one. The overlap would be spot on but the pitting in the cylinders would still be there and following you for as long as I have I know you would not be happy with a hack repair so it's better to ship it and forget it. 🤣🤣 Of course you forgot it. Your video's are a year behind🤣🤣. Have a nice one Luis and on to a next project.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😅 👍👍👍

[@CarsFix-n-FitDIY-wm1ig]

The cylinders look so eroded. The car must have spent quite some time under water...

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@jackiemay9471]

i known what it is its a boat anchor that has been re used another engine needed

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@Nemesisx1974x]

joys of vice grips

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😅 👍👍👍

[@jensbo7983]

Grüße aus Deutschland...👍

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍

[@anthonylewis8591]

To number plates on front of that , I'd do check on both , dogey car .

[@user-jg6vw3em9f]

Hi Luis, excellent piece of diagnosis. From your comments if he wants to offer you the work I feel that car owner will supply used parts just to keep the overall costs down. Not knowing the service history of the car, as it was bought from a car auction, may prove to be a nighmare. What's your thoughts? 😊

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Exactly why I didn't do it... 👍👍👍

[@atefjerry712]

as always very good helping me but i need your help to get the adapter for autel camera webseit or link thank you for sharing information best regardes

[@LMAutoRepairs]

MV108... They are for sale on ebay and many other places... 👍👍👍

[@lostsoul4591]

Hi great video , do you need a flywheel locking tool when undoing pulley bolt to crank as I want to change camshaft seals . Oil leak seen loads of vids on this engine but never Info on locking flywheel thanks.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

You don't really need to lock the flywheel... But if you want to be extra safe you can... 👍👍👍

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Run Luis! Is that a twisted cam? And definitely water intrusion in cylinders!!

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@andrewyeo2353]

It's the innocent owners I feel sorry for that spent money on it at least you gave it a through diagnosis

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ Very true... 👍👍👍

[@anapaulapereira3255]

top

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@eugenuku]

could be that something is messed with the connecting rods

[@naushadali95]

dear sir i am a big fan of you, i am a technician in gmc and subaru dealership, i have a one car subaru legacy 2013 model year 2.5 ej engine. after the engine overhaul ac working sometimes,i checked all power supply ground, ECM swap,,ac control module and control swich swaped with good car, checked all power and ground and can wire too, checked scan data (engine and ac) compare with other car found ok, when compressor on its work long time sometimes when accelerating compressor off then does not come back on again for long time, ecm don't command high speed fan relay and ac compressor, engine rpm 1300 to 1400 when ac on found. only 2 fault code allways popup b1608 sunload sensor and b1622 mode door actuator, please give some idea what to do. next no blocage in mechanical side compressor good.when start working good cooling

[@derekmcfadyen127]

Pressed on lobes on cams possibly

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@soptea]

Why did not use in cylinder transducer , much faster and precise ?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Don't have one... 👍👍👍

[@davidbrathen2268]

I am maybe gonna bye a 2010 mod 1,6 astra j with motor A16XER.. Should i be worried?

[@confederatenationalist7283]

These things are now obsolete even if they were worth fixing. The Opel factory has effectively gone so no major engine parts available even if bother. I've just traded a 2015 Zafira 1.8 Tourer for virtual scrap value owned it from new 75,000 miles full service history. Number 3 cylinder almost no compression and 1 and 2 very low. Engine design then only gets worse over stressed small capacity junk.

[@Vader74]

someone on purpose change the position on camshaft to sell car and mask bigger issue

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ Who knows... 👍👍👍

[@MustafaAli-lv5il]

Hello Can you give me your location so I bring my car I have issue with it I spoke to you before About the delay acceleration on shaking when you load it

[@anthonyoconnell9389]

Where are you based

[@motosystemltd]

Great as always... Luis You need get cylinder leak tester with two gauges powered by compressor. Checking each cylinder at tdc, hear the noises, where air escapes ( intake , exhaust , bottom or bubling in coolant) and then put smoking machine at tdc it's much more accurate test. I have had good compression many times but this test always exposed the issues later confirmed by engine rebuild.. last one was pentastar 3.6 L 2016, 3 garages couldn't find whats wrong. Ecu, timing ,injectors, coils all scoped and perfect.. exhaust valve surface damaged. This is example, old bmw engine, should be hot for this test kzbin.infon_l6qS12o_A?feature=share

[@rezahashemi6861]

Camshaft was the problem not engine, you did not see engine burning any oil 😅😅😅😅

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Those cylinder walls looked in a very poor state to do anything else... How would I explain if fixed everything else, and then in the end was left with some other issue due to the damage to the cylinder walls? In my view, it did not worth the risk... 👍👍👍

[@adamlittle4267]

That's been bodged to sell.. Drop a new 2nd hand engine in best way with the state of this engine .. car hasn't been looked after .. i have an astra h cdti van serviced eavery 6 mouths. And its been super reliable and no major issues owned 13 years from new

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@HellSoldier1]

What should compression be?

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Anything above 120 or so... but depends on the compression radio... 150psi is usually a healthy engine...

[@confederatenationalist7283]

​@@LMAutoRepairs Going by my one good cylinder on a 1.8 xer it's very high compression well over 200 psi almost off the end of my tester.Two of them were below 120 psi the worst one was less than 50 psi.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

😬 That was not good... 😊

[@confederatenationalist7283]

@@LMAutoRepairs By all accounts the later turbo 1.4 engine predictably seems to be even less durable. My 2015 Zafira Tourer was main dealer serviced and maintained from new cam belt replaced well within life and 75,000 miles the engine was done similar to your example.Sudden misfire and found the compressions had disappeared virtually from one day to the next.No temperature issues and had ran well up to that point.It looks like high cylinder pressures creating issues with the rings and bore interface and high cylinder temperatures not being transmitted to the cooling system efficiently. I think the old rule of 1hp per cubic inch was for a reason. These are race engine outputs from small engines in road cars obviously with the intention of maximising profits. Added to in this case by the perfect storm of predictable sporadic if that parts product support.With Opel products and manufacture now effectively ceased.

[@Fabi....]

The engine will clean itself over time. 😅😅

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ 👍👍👍

[@rayswann7618]

To right, it will just graunch off what it dont need

[@LMAutoRepairs]

But will not add missing material...😅 👍👍👍

[@Fabi....]

@@LMAutoRepairs piston rings will seal 😂

[@LMAutoRepairs]

@@Fabi.... 🤣🤣🤣

[@emiliceman970]

that engine have shims,and must have valve adjusment

[@briankotze57]

I think the engine hit valves and your camshaft bend

[@briankotze57]

Seen it many times on Ford

[@briankotze57]

Sorry yes as you said twisted. That is absolutely wghat happened

[@LMAutoRepairs]

☺️ Possibly... 👍👍👍

[@sallumusa]

Your video is too long. Your commentary is boring. I couldn't watch more than 5 minutes.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Good... 👍👍👍

[@johncollins8304]

I got an Xtool D7 just for one car Opel Tigra Twintop/ Corsa C 2005 which a) won't run -- just fires and cuts out, and b) didn't show any codes by pedal test or 50€ reader. Engine is Ecotec Z14XEP with chain timing. New fuel pump & filter 50psi on fuel rail, new crank and cam sensors, new oil pressure sensor, removed throttle body and cleaned behind butterfly, cleaned maf..., Gave UK seller my VIN and was told D7 would work on it. Twice I told them Am..UK would not post to France. No response but said it would work. Ignored what I had said. Eventually found Aliexpress could get it to me. Plugged D7 in hoping for some codes, but still apparently there's nothing wrong with the car!! And it didn't find my VIN. I had to input it, and was told I had an Astra H. Bought cable extension to work under bonnet to check for spark, actuating coils. I did one, sparked, then I realised it was only showing THREE cylinders. Contacted another email, quick response & "update" -- read bugfix... well, attempted bugfix. This recognised my VIN but functions disappeared! Another 'update did nothing. Remove the one-piece coil, inverted plugs, all 4 firing. This was next swift, polite, response: "I deeply know your predicament, and our engineers are quickening their steps to resolve your issue. I've passed all your issue to the engineers, please be patient to wait!" Then, because their ordinary engineers couldn't fix the problem they wrote this: " Our engineers have feedbacked more advanced engineers to resolve your issue more specifically. Please patiently wait!" So they're prompt and willing. I appreciate that. But there is a language barrier, too. I just didn't understand what he wanted me to do here: " Our engineers checked your SN and found that there are no related logs about your tests. You need to be connected to the Internet so that the logs can be uploaded to the waiter. Our engineers can better analyze and provide you with solutions. If it is convenient to connect to the Internet, repeat the path you've done ever." I wrote back asking for clarification: did they want me to leave the machine switched on and connected to Internet all the time? Did it have to be connected to the car with key in on position all the time? (They'll be connecting from China, different time zone obviously.) The reply just said they'd be back in touch after yet another weekend. I'm just leaving it switched on (automatically connected to Internet; and on charge). Well, i left it all on and connected for 24 hrs. The engineers apparently did nothing so that was a waste. Will update if there's any progress. After three weeks of this, I'm not impressed with the overall outcome. One response from a buyer to my question 'anyone used it on a Corsa?' said he is very happy with it. Lucky him. Will have to get garage to haul it away...

[@LMAutoRepairs]

I never used that tool, so can't really advise... As for the car, have you checked compression, timing, etc.. 👍👍👍

[@johncollins8304]

@@LMAutoRepairs Thanks for reply! Compression and the etc., yes, have checked (new crank, cam sensors, oil pressure switch.. But for timing, it's a chain, and a garage mechanic says they can't slip, though I've bought a kit for it, but since the professional mechanic days it can't slip I don't see the point in going down that rabbit hole! Mechanic coming to take car to work on in his garage... says in view of what I've already done it's going to be "compliqué" (French for 'a pain on the arse'.😁

[@LMAutoRepairs]

They can jump... whoever told you that is very mistaken! Go to another mechanic... I am not also saying to go straight to change it, I mean check that it is on time, you can do it with a scope without even open anything... 👍👍👍

[@johncollins8304]

@@LMAutoRepairs Thank you AGAIN! Well that is fascinating! It was an auto-electrician who said it couldn't jump (I was keeping things simple), and who was kind enough to check my key for free. You give me good news when you say timing can be checked without having to open anything but that I'll need a scope...I'll be looking into what that entails today. Anyway, after spending more than half the summer on this, I've thrown in the towel and the mechanic is coming to take the car to his garage. Just received another message and software update from Xtool in China. The words are English but they'll need some pondering! Thanks again from France.

[@LMAutoRepairs]

Out of curiosity, I have videos on checking the timing with the scope... Like on this one for example... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKW4qYake7igkLc