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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:	Cars in the UK
Notice:	Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:	COMICS::SHELLEYELD

Created:	Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2584
Total number of notes:	63384

1060.0. "Help - Injection Problems on Astra" by RDGE13::MADGE () Wed May 02 1990 14:06

    
    Hello all,
    
    As my knowledge about cars is fairly limited I was hoping you could
    help.
    
    I am the owner of an Astra GTE and about two weeks ago - I accidently
    let it run out of petrol. Ever since this happened the car has been
    coughing and spluttering, especially when accelerating. But even at
    tickover the car runs slightly under revs. I run it on Unleaded petrol 
    (when I run it on petrol at all, that is). And have tried changing back 
    to leaded, put in the new higher performance petrol from Shell, you 
    name it, I have tried it. Petrol comsumption also has increased.
    
    I have been informed that the problem could well be in the injection
    system itself.  Is that at all possible ?? Surely if the injection was
    blocked it would not run at all, would it ?? Could it not just be the
    Fuel filter has been clogged by the dirt pulled up from the bottom of
    the tank ?  Stopping the fuel getting through ?
    
    I don't really know which is the better Idea - whether to take it
    straight to Vauxhall or get a Fuel filter first and see what happens.
    The filter is about 17-00 to buy
    
    Has this ever happened to you ??  How did you get it cured...
    
    Thanks for any help you can give.
    
    Jonathan

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1060.1	An Idea	VANILA::LINCOLN	The sun has got his hat on	`Wed May 02 1990 14:12`	4
	The clogged filter is an obvious possibility, the other is an air lock. Maybe there's a vent screw somewhere? -John
1060.2	Fuel Filter	IOSG::MARSHALL	A m��se once bit my sister...	`Wed May 02 1990 16:32`	10
	If the fuel filter's transparent, you should be able to see if fuel is getting that far, which would rule out an air-lock further back down the pipe. You hould also be able to see if fuel is getting through it, or if it's bunged up. Clean it with fresh petrol anyway and put it back. My brother had a similar problem after running out of petrol. It turned out to be gunge blocking up the fuel pump. This is easy to clean out yourself, if you want to try a home-remedy before paying Vauxhall lots of money. Scott
1060.4		OVAL::KERRELLD	SBP but mail still to @UCG	`Wed May 02 1990 23:39`	5
	In my experience the fuel fliter is very easy to clog on a GTE. Maybe it is something to do with it's location under the car at the rear! When I owned a GTE I had the same problem, a new filter cured it. Dave.
1060.5	Go for the filter	MINDER::GILBERT	Systems Design & Eng Cntr @ MCO	`Thu May 03 1990 09:26`	23
	Agree with .-1 :- The fuel filter is probably a throw-away type - on my XR (also Bosch injection) it was an aluminium-ish cylinder about the size of a bean tin, with input and output connections in the opposite ends. btw: The filter should be replaced regularly anyway - 18000 miles on XR's - anyone know what it is for GTEs? I also drove an Astra SRi (similar, but not identical Bosch system), and ran it out of fuel on two occasions (why don't Vauxhall fit a low-fuel warning light???). I had no problems on re-fuelling. The air-lock problems in FI systems are supposed to be a thing of the past. Even modern diesels are reputed to be self-venting. So I'd replace the fuel filter first. Watch out for the jet of petrol that will squirt out when you undo the couplings and release the pressure in the system - around 60 psi! (Murphy's Law says it'll get you right between the eyes even if you're looking the other way. :-) Brian
1060.6		OVAL::KERRELLD	SBP but mail still to @UCG	`Thu May 03 1990 11:28`	14
	> The fuel filter is probably a throw-away type Yes it is. > btw: The filter should be replaced regularly anyway - 18000 miles on > XR's - anyone know what it is for GTEs? Same, every 18,000 miles (unless you run out of petrol). >(why don't Vauxhall fit a low-fuel warning light???). They do in the GTE, the LCD fuel gauge flashs when low. Dave.
1060.7	They do on the SRi too	MARVIN::RUSLING	MicroServer Phase V Session Control	`Thu May 03 1990 12:36`	4
	They fit a low petrol warning light on the SRi now, the old model didn't have one. Dave
1060.8	Fuel filter	CHEFS::MADGEJ		`Thu May 03 1990 17:39`	14
	Well thanks a lot for all your inputs - I have been out and purchased a new filter - your quite right, it's aluminium type about size on bean tin... I admit the low petrol light was flashing at the time - all my fault !! The car did try to warn me.. I hope the new filter does the trick anyway !! Thanks again. Jonathan
1060.9		TASTY::JEFFERY	Is "Bones" the real McCoy ??	`Thu May 03 1990 18:03`	7
	I had similar problems when I let my car run out of fuel. A new filter did the trick. In the manual, it tells you to run the starter continuously for at least 40 seconds before trying to start it. Mark
1060.10		VOGON::ATWAL	Dreams, they complicate my life	`Thu May 03 1990 18:09`	5
	how can you run the starter for 40 secs without it starting? (says that in my manual too) ...art
1060.11		ANNECY::MATTHEWS	M+M Enterprises. Thats the CATCH	`Thu May 03 1990 18:10`	3
	...pull the LT off the coil (or similar). Mark
1060.12		TASTY::JEFFERY	Is "Bones" the real McCoy ??	`Wed May 09 1990 11:28`	7
	Thats what I thought, but the engine was on the starter for 40 seconds with no sign that the engine was actually started and killing the starter motor. They don't say anything about removing lt leads or anything. Mark.
1060.14	Crush washers	IOSG::MARSHALL	A m��se once bit my sister...	`Wed May 09 1990 12:43`	5
	But repeatedly removing and replacing plugs will damage the crush washers and so you'll get leaks around the plugs, and hence lose compression when you don't want to! Scott
1060.15	nearly as frequent as oil changes :-)	IOSG::MITCHELL	Elaine	`Wed May 09 1990 13:36`	8
	>>But repeatedly removing and replacing plugs will damage the crush washers and >>so you'll get leaks around the plugs, and hence lose compression when you don't >>want to! depends on how long you intend to keep the same set of spark plugs!
1060.16	Getting fed up of CARS!	PEKING::SHALLOMA		`Mon Dec 07 1992 14:02`	19
	Hi, I have a problem with my car at the momment, similar to that of note .0 in this topic.... Can anyone reccomend any mobile tune up service wich cater for fuel injected systems. (Its a Manta 2.0i) or know what could be wrong? p.s. The main problem at the momment is that now and again the car sort of cuts out momentarily and then picks up power and again,but it also stalls sometimes and is very dificult geting it started again..It fires up ok but then cuts out staight away....and then eventually its ok to drive until the routine stats all over again.... Regards, Aron...
1060.17		ESBS01::RUTTER	Rut The Nut	`Tue Dec 08 1992 15:23`	9
	� Can anyone reccomend any mobile tune up service wich cater for fuel � injected systems. (Its a Manta 2.0i) or know what could be wrong? (i) Whereabouts do you need the servicing (what area) ? (ii) Problem could possibly be caused by clogged up fuel filter, mounted by the fuel pump, below the tank, above/behind the axle. J.R.
1060.18	Re-1..Sandhurst or Winnersh area..	PEKING::SHALLOMA		`Tue Dec 08 1992 16:21`	1