1.4 Astra engine (petrol) needed

galway1985

As per title, I need to find a 1.4 Opel Astra engine for a petrol 05 model. Complete engine is required. Have tried sourcing in garage, garage has tried sourcing & none are to be found. If anyone knows of any available, please please please let me know.

(2nd hand only, can't afford a new one, can't afford a 2nd hand one either but I'll have to borrow somewhere!)

Nissan doctor

You'll need the engine code for the engine you have.

Traynors in the north are sure to have one: 02838 891 242

Supergurrier

Prolly a 1.4 twinport ecotech 2 friends have them 2004

Mar4ix

i'll bet thats z14xep .... I was after it to fix friend of friends car... , couldnt find, found one in Germany, through other friends of friends mechanics 550 euro + delivery.

cheapest on ebay was 800 ish quid.

bazz26

I'd say it could be difficult enough to find a 1.4 litre from Traynors as the Vauhall version of the Astra was more popular in 1.6 litre than 1.4 litre unless you get lucky and they have an Opel Astra originally from the South in stock.

galway1985

I would buy almost anything off eBay except this!

Yes the garage that is currently housing my dear car mentioned something about an engine code - is it vital that I know this before searching for one?

Why are they so scarce? Garage man isn't too hopeful of coming across one - he said it could be 10 minutes or 10 weeks; but I need my car! Luckily I've been borrowing one, and can borrow for the next 3 weeks but after that I may have to look into purchasing a new car [by new, I mean 2nd hand/3rd hand/4th hand!!!!!!!!!!!]

galway1985

Thanks for the replies by the way, only new so can't give karma but replies are appreciated!

Mar4ix

so , whats wrong with your old one ?

give it to nissan doctor here ... he has done them... rebuilding them...... there is thread - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056643716

btw,in pictures exactly same engine what you have/had.

galway1985

Basically my water pump tube thingy broke and all my coolant & water escaped & I didn't know & drove it for 50 mins to work. A red temperature gauge came on but I was on the motorway so kept driving until my exit and smoke surrounded my car so I stopped. Turned out the engine stalled then anyway. So. Damaged my engine [2 cyldiners] and the block [whatever that is].

I'm a woman. I know feck all about cars.

Stheno

Have you tried Whelans in Portlaoise/The Heath?

I was looking for a part for the Ohs car today and only traynors and Whelans had it out of about eight breakers.

galway1985

Nope didn't try them. May give them a call tomorrow. Tried 'partfinders.ie' but the only one that replied and told me they had what I was looking for, emailed me this evening to say he'd sold it this morning. Is that site reliable? Was I just very unlucky that it was sold just today?! Can't understand why the engines are so scarce - not buying a new one. Can't afford it. Why the hell can't Opel put a temperature gauge in the cars - then I'd have had SOME warning before it was too late!

Mar4ix

partfinder.ie wouldnt have many engines there, actually, it is not only astra engines, there is range of opel models, which shared that engine.... your mechanics shall explain what and where to look at... those engines was mostly on mid sized opel cars from 2004 - 2007..astra, corsa, meriva, tigra.. and something else, i gave you that engine code (just confirm it with your mechanic), and try find one of those cars with same engine...

btw.. why garage not looking themselves to source an engine ?... sound a bit weird.

Did you had a deal, that you are sourcing an engine ?

Stheno

galway1985 wrote: »

Nope didn't try them. May give them a call tomorrow. Tried 'partfinders.ie' but the only one that replied and told me they had what I was looking for, emailed me this evening to say he'd sold it this morning. Is that site reliable? Was I just very unlucky that it was sold just today?! Can't understand why the engines are so scarce - not buying a new one. Can't afford it. Why the hell can't Opel put a temperature gauge in the cars - then I'd have had SOME warning before it was too late!

I'm really sorry if this offends you, but the temperature gauge RED LIGHT came on and you drove for 50 kilometres then really it's a case of you not educating yourself about cars.

I'd a friend who did similiar in an opel drove it like that and there was a magic puff of smoke and off he went off the motorway. Cars need a bit of care and attention.

Being a woman is no excuse, if you are going to spend x thousands on a car, then learn the basics, learn to check fluids regularly etc.

Give Whelans a ring tomorrow with your year, model, and petrol/diesel, they'll tell you pretty quick if they have what you need.
Have you got their number?

Mar4ix wrote: »

partfinder.ie wouldnt have many engines there, actually, it is not only astra engines, there is range of opel models, which shared that engine.... your mechanics shall explain what and where to look at... those engines was mostly on mid sized opel cars from 2004 - 2007..astra, corsa, meriva, tigra.. and something else, i gave you that engine code (just confirm it with your mechanic), and try find one of those cars with same engine...

btw.. why garage not looking themselves to source an engine ?... sound a bit weird.

Did you had a deal, that you are sourcing an engine ?

Maybe garage can't or won't?

My mechanic regularly gets me to source parts as he knows I will travel/use the internet and he will not.

Happened today looking for a switch for the OH's electric window, he couldn't get one locally, I got one a bit away, he'll get it tomorrow and fit it.

Bpmull

galway1985 wrote: »

Basically my water pump tube thingy broke and all my coolant & water escaped & I didn't know & drove it for 50 mins to work. A red temperature gauge came on but I was on the motorway so kept driving until my exit and smoke surrounded my car so I stopped. Turned out the engine stalled then anyway. So. Damaged my engine [2 cyldiners] and the block [whatever that is].

I'm a woman. I know feck all about cars.

Seems to be a common problem on the Astra h my 2008 diesel one was in the garage two weeks ago as I was checking the coolant level every week And it was loosing coolant they found 3 leaks and changes a clips and pipes. I was told by an Opel mechanic that the pipes and clips just tend to leak not expensive to change. There is no temperature gauge which doesn't help the matter, the one thing I don't like about mine. It's a pity you didn't pull in when the light came on but what's done is done and i hope you get sorted with the problem as cheap as possible best of luck.

ronaneire

Might be worth a try?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/damagedcars/4190402

Stheno

It might, but as someone who knows very little about cars, and given the OP knows nothing about cars and might be required to dismantle etc, I reckon she is far better off going through a breaker who will give some level of warranty especially as she is going to be spending a bit?

Actually OP I'm in whelans tomorrow to pick up a part, I can check for you?

ronaneire

Stheno wrote: »

It might, but as someone who knows very little about cars, and given the OP knows nothing about cars and might be required to dismantle etc, I reckon she is far better off going through a breaker who will give some level of warranty especially as she is going to be spending a bit?

Actually OP I'm in whelans tomorrow to pick up a part, I can check for you?

True that, however you can't have your cake and eat it.
Hens teeth those engines and you will be lucky to find one.

As per the OP

galway1985 wrote: »

Have tried sourcing in garage, garage has tried sourcing & none are to be found. If anyone knows of any available, please please please let me know.

galway1985

Stheno wrote: »

It might, but as someone who knows very little about cars, and given the OP knows nothing about cars and might be required to dismantle etc, I reckon she is far better off going through a breaker who will give some level of warranty especially as she is going to be spending a bit?

Actually OP I'm in whelans tomorrow to pick up a part, I can check for you?

Garage IS looking, but I figured two heads better than one.

I didn't drive it 50 km when the red light came on-it came on about 15mins before I pulled in. A red light had come on before and it turned out twas just a fault with the light,my oil wasn't actually low. In hindsight you can be damn sure I would have pulled in but I didn't and what's done Is done now.

I'm not using being a woman as an excuse for not knowing the ins and outs of my car-I'm saying it now that I look for parts. I didn't realise that an engine had a specific code-I assumed all Astra engines of a 1.4 nature would fit my car.

Thanks for all the replies,had a look at car zone last night for an idea of what I could get in the worst case scenario for about 8k. I figure if worst comes to worst I'll get a loan from bank for that. Id rather not have to though :-(

galway1985

Don't suppose anyone's come across one over the weekend?

mini_brian

What year is you car? Is it economical to get it fixed? That yahoo was looking for €1,200 for the engine, that plus the fitting?

Might be better to scrap it and buy something else then pour money into a old car?

galway1985

I've called so many places today. None to be found. Going to have to get a new engine Cheapest option rather than getting a new car I suppose.

mini_brian

How much they quoting you for a new engine

Robxxx7

I had similar problems with the exact same engine .... car still sitting laid up ... these engines are as rare as hens teeth

galway1985

Didn't realise they were so bad/had this fault!

They're quoting me €3000 for a new engine, I assume this is without labour?

Mar4ix

galway1985 wrote: »

Didn't realise they were so bad/had this fault!

They're quoting me €3000 for a new engine, I assume this is without labour?

they probably take some extra 1.5 k in pocket for "hard" searching. in ebay there is few those engines, and pallet delivery wouldn't be too expensive . http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Complete-Engines-/33615/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=z14xep

galway1985

Thank you Mar. I have purchased many many things on eBay but wouldn't personally feel confident purchasing something like an engine

Mar4ix

galway1985 wrote: »

Thank you Mar. I have purchased many many things on eBay but wouldn't personally feel confident purchasing something like an engine

well, its all depends who is seller, need to do home work.. check reputation, check that seller maybe have own webpage, google for webpage, see if any reviews, might will find some reviews in other forums, especially opel related. this is homework, which wont cost you anything , just a bit of your time.

othewrwise, you coulod go other pretty expensive route, nissan doctor could repair your engine , rebuild from scratch, he done same model engine, you may see - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056643716 (i mentioned earlier), but that rebuild cost around 2 k euro.. price was mentioned there also.

galway1985

Thank you. Yes I had a look at that already. At this stage, I'm expecting to pay about 2k anyway. But if I'm paying that I'd rather have a new engine. Cannot get a 2nd hand one so new one is my only option. Need my car.

bazz26

Have you looked at getting a price for a rebuild of the existing engine or is it beyond repair?

Spending that sort of money on a new engine for a nearly 8 year old car is crazy when there are 2005 Astras for sale at around €4k/€4500 these days.

galway1985

I know it's crazy, but what other choice do I have? It's beyond repair so my choices are wait indefinitely for one, or get a new one. I realise my car is only worth about 4k, but at the moment, it's worth far far less without an engine so ..... what to do, what to do?

bazz26

If you are keeping the car for a long time then that might be some way to justify that sort of expenditure but if you plan to change the car in the next year or two then it's as good as dead money.

galway1985

Well, I've got it almost 5 years but if i'm putting a new engine into it i'm damn well going to keep it until the wheels fall off! No point me spending 5/6k on a similar car and the same year type. I don't have the money for anything more. AS it is, I still haven't that car paid off yet, couple of months repayments left.

Stheno

galway1985 wrote: »

Well, I've got it almost 5 years but if i'm putting a new engine into it i'm damn well going to keep it until the wheels fall off! No point me spending 5/6k on a similar car and the same year type. I don't have the money for anything more. AS it is, I still haven't that car paid off yet, couple of months repayments left.

I'd take the view that if it's going to cost that much to repair and it's not much more, that I'd look for another car to be honest.

Unless the car is very special to you, I'd replace it.

galway1985

Okay, but what would you suggest buying? I mean, if I get a loan for 6/7k, what will I get for that? I had a look on CarZone and to be honest, anything I was looking at was only a 05/06. Can that cost be justified for the same year car??? I'm genuinely confused at the moment, don't know what to do. Fix, or not to fix?

Tony Soprano.

galway1985 wrote: »

Okay, but what would you suggest buying? I mean, if I get a loan for 6/7k, what will I get for that? I had a look on CarZone and to be honest, anything I was looking at was only a 05/06. Can that cost be justified for the same year car??? I'm genuinely confused at the moment, don't know what to do. Fix, or not to fix?

Carzone prices are not realistic and cars are grossly overvalued. Used mainly by main dealers with a large portion of the asking price allowing for trade ins. If you were going for a straight deal without a trade-in, you'd be getting a much better deal. Done deal valuations are more realistic.

bazz26

Just for some perspective here is a 2005 for just over €3k:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3830239

galway1985

Thanks Tony. Didn't realise they allowed for trade ins in the prices stated. I will have a look at DoneDeal. Judging by my luck lately I'd rather go through a dealer and have a warranty to fall back on.

galway1985

bazz26 wrote: »

Just for some perspective here is a 2005 for just over €3k:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3830239

That's really cheap. Doesn't say much about the value of mine! [That says easy on fuel, don't find mine too easy on the aul petrol!!]

Tony Soprano.

bazz26 wrote: »

Just for some perspective here is a 2005 for just over €3k:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3830239

So how much would this example end up costing i.e. what do you think a 2005 Astra that needs a new engine is worth?

galway1985

Well, I would have said my car was worth about 4,000. Maybe 4,500.

Mar4ix

cant see point spent money on another car on unknown condition, if you can spend money towards new engine for your current car turns even cheaper, than buy another car.
Get properly fixed, or new engine with warranty, keep it servicing every 8 k miles, with regular coolant and oil level checks.... and youll wont see any problems any more. ..

p.s. i am suggesting get new clutch , while engine out.

bazz26

You could probably make more money from the old one if you broke it for parts and sold them seperately. Of course alot of baggage comes with this way too such as the space it takes up and guys calling expecting to get parts for next to nothing.

Tony Soprano.

I'd park the Astra up and wait for an engine. They might be rare as hens teeth, but one will turn up eventually. Mar4ix here got one in Germany for €550. An engine might even turn up in Ireland after a few months.

Buy a banger in the meantime, something that will be easy to sell on. eg. Fiesta. You'd probably get the same money as you bought it for.

It's the only option I can think of. I wouldn't fancy spending €3,000 on a new engine for a 2005 Astra tbh.

galway1985

I'd get feck all from the car, breaking it for parts.

In my mind, at the moment, the best thing would be to get a new engine & get my use out of it by keeping it as long as possible.

How much is a new clutch?

There's 100,000 miles on my car. It was serviced in January.

galway1985

Tony Soprano. wrote: »

I'd park the Astra up and wait for an engine. They might be rare as hens teeth, but one will turn up eventually. Mar4ix here got one in Germany for €550. An engine might even turn up in Ireland after a few months.

Buy a banger in the meantime, something that will be easy to sell on. eg. Fiesta. You'd probably get the same money as you bought it for.

It's the only option I can think of. I wouldn't fancy spending €3,000 on a new engine for a 2005 Astra tbh.

How much would you spend on this 'banger'? I drive from Dublin to Galway twice a month - don't think i'd fancy relying on a banger in case something would go wrong whilst waiting for an engine and then I'd have to cough up money ANYWAY.

I'm not keen on spending 3k on a new engine either, believe me. However, even spending 1,000 on a 2nd hand one.... something could go wrong. At least with a new one, it's new - no previous mileage.

bazz26

Sometimes you just need to cut your losses and buy something else or store it until you find a suitable engine.

I'd imagine a brand new engine and labour costs to fit will cost alot more than €3k.

Tony Soprano.

galway1985 wrote: »

How much would you spend on this 'banger'? I drive from Dublin to Galway twice a month - don't think i'd fancy relying on a banger in case something would go wrong whilst waiting for an engine and then I'd have to cough up money ANYWAY.

I have driven loads of bangers. I was driving a 1999 Mazda 323 last week, got a loan of it from the brother as my car was getting serviced. He's had it for 6 years and never gave trouble. He'll have it for another few years yet. Probably worth €500. It might not be the most comfortable.

My other brother bought a €400 Audi 80 last and drove it for 12 months with no bother.

Get something simple like a Fiesta. €800-€1000. Just a suggestion and an option.

Tony Soprano.

bazz26 wrote: »

Sometimes you just need to cut your losses and buy something else or store it until you find a suitable engine.

I'd imagine a brand new engine and labour costs to fit will cost alot more than €3k.

I was thinking the same thing.

galway1985

Thanks for the suggestions. Definitely food for thought.

I'm meeting the mechanic tomorrow - will ask him what the total cost would be for a new engine+all the extras like VAT & labour. If it's over 3k, I WILL have to cut my losses and look at either getting said banger for less than 1k, or, approaching the bank and getting something for 6/7k. I really don't want to be getting a loan for more than that. Tis a pity I went mad travelling earlier in the year - I'd have SOME savings then to use

Thanks for all the help.

Tony Soprano.

galway1985 wrote: »

How much would you spend on this 'banger'? I drive from Dublin to Galway twice a month - don't think i'd fancy relying on a banger in case something would go wrong whilst waiting for an engine and then I'd have to cough up money ANYWAY.

I'm not keen on spending 3k on a new engine either, believe me. However, even spending 1,000 on a 2nd hand one.... something could go wrong. At least with a new one, it's new - no previous mileage.

If spending that on a second hand one, make sure you get a written warranty. That would be standard.

mini_brian

You would be mad to put a new engine in that car.

To give you an example I sold a 2005 Skoda Octavia 1.4 with 139kms for 3250 on Sunday and it was MINT!

Buy something else and get scrap on the Astra.