OPEL VECTRA Z16XE

Anna23

I have some problems with my vectra, its playing up on me when i try to strat the engine, its making this sound like its trying to start but can't, its not the battery by the way. OPEL said u have to bring it in for a timing belt change, but its only 4 years old, and only has 57200 kms on board. I had a service with Opel a mini one and the break pads were changed and they costed me a fortune over 500 euro and i refuze to go to them again. I was checking on this site and for the engine i have the timing belt to be changed is at 90000 kms, mine still has a good while to go. But my question is can the timing belt be the problem, or could it be something really simple like the water pump ( which from reading should be changed when the timing belt is changed) or is it the alternator or something more costly. If anyone has any ideas before i go into a garage and they see a woman coming in who has no clue, should i ask certain question? Your advice is much appriciated.

Anna

Saab Ed

Ok I dont know what year this car is but no Opel should be let past 40,000 miles without a timing belt change. Secondly, the older Vectras had a problem with the ECU (which is basically the engine management system) that stopped the fuel from getting to the engine. This is because due to this fault the ECU thought the car was in a crash and reacted this way. So even though the car sounds like it wants to start the engine is getting no petrol. The proper way to fix this is a new ECU but I know some guys by pass the fail safe, fixes this problem but gives you another to think about i.e what happens in a crash !

Anna23

its 2005...the problem only started now, now being 4 weeks ago, i just dont want to go into a garage and get all these different opionions and not know what to do, because im sorry to actually admit this, but not that many women know about engines...so how expensive is this ECU to change. its four years old and only have 57200 kms not miles, which is around and under 40000k miles.

ninty9er

Whatever the problem is, a timing belt chage is about due. I have the same engine in my 01 Astra and had the belt changed at 37k miles including a service for €350

Saab Ed

Anna I think the best thing to do is start a thread under " Anybody know a good Indy garage around Castleknock ". This could be something very simple so dont get too worried. Its more than likely a sensor or something needing re-setting. If lots of people post the same name for a garage well then you 've got some chance. Loads of the guys on here will know someone out that direction .....

Anna23

thanks i dont mean that i dont want to change it, i just dont want to pay another 1000 euro for a mini service, break pads and 4 new wheels like i did in November last year.

Mr Benevolent

Next time get a quote beforehand and ring a few garages with the quote.

Why did they have to change all 4 tyres?

Lucifer

firstly, does your engine start eventually or will it not start at all?

If it just takes ages to start, the first thing I would be checking (maybe not yourself) would be the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve. These can stick open and cause hard starting and you would usually notice a power loss when driving and poor idling.

If it will not start at all post back and I will give you some more options.

As for the timing belt, it is most likely unrelated to your starting issues but the belt must be changed at certain intervals depending on engine and year. The danger of not replacing it in time is that if it snaps you could cause some serious engine damage costing well over 1000 to fix. I would say you will probably pay around 300 to have the belt done. The actual interval for your car (2005 Vectra C Z16XE) is Every 6 years / 54,000 mls/90,000 km but some would reccomend getting it done before this, its your call at the end of the day.

Mr Benevolent

Next time get a quote beforehand and ring a few garages with the quote.

S.I.R

Anna23 wrote: »

I have some problems with my vectra, its playing up on me when i try to strat the engine, its making this sound like its trying to start but can't, its not the battery by the way. OPEL said u have to bring it in for a timing belt change, but its only 4 years old, and only has 57200 kms on board. I had a service with Opel a mini one and the break pads were changed and they costed me a fortune over 500 euro and i refuze to go to them again. I was checking on this site and for the engine i have the timing belt to be changed is at 90000 kms, mine still has a good while to go. But my question is can the timing belt be the problem, or could it be something really simple like the water pump ( which from reading should be changed when the timing belt is changed) or is it the alternator or something more costly. If anyone has any ideas before i go into a garage and they see a woman coming in who has no clue, should i ask certain question? Your advice is much appriciated.

Anna

depends how you drive it, id could do the timing belt in within 100 km's so you need it if you like ? :pac:

Anna23

I had to change the wheels as they were the original ones and they were 4 years old, so they needed to be changed, they were cracked.

I did call around and the cheapest one was on the navan road, and he gave me a different quote when i spoke to him and when i went to pick up the car he said a different price....i actually had a bit of a "fight" with him and i refused to pay the amount he asked for initially.

It makes a sound like its trying to start it eventually starts, but it makes like a zzzzzzzzz noise, if that helps at all. I am just trying to get a few info as i dont want to go in and be made a fool of again.

I swear when they see a woman go in they are like " briliant we dont have to work, she doesnt know what we are doing, shes stupid"

Thanks

ninty9er

Just to clarify...you needed 4 new wheels or tyres??

€1000 for 4 original alloys and a service would be about right.

Anna23

Sorry I should have said tyres, not wheels, just the tyres, and the service and the pad breaks 1000 euro.

ninty9er

You were definitely had. Although I've found Opel dealers in particular to be heavy on pricing. I was quoted €300 plus labour to replace an AFM that I bought for €98 and fitted in 5 minutes myself with a diagram from t'internet.

Anna23

yes I know, i have found a guy who is willing to have a look at it for free, and tehn he wil only charge me for the labour, i will pay for whatever it needs.

Kartale

I know the starter motor gave trouble on some
Vectra's