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What's bad about these '99 Vectra 1.8 16v's?


LiamGTR

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Since my car has been on Pistonheads, this is now the 3rd person contact me asking for a swap for their 99 vectra 1.8 16v or similar, but this person just happens to be around the corner so that's what got me thinking, normally I would just reply with a nice "Thank you but no thanks"

 

Any reason inparticular that these keep on popping up? Aybody got any experience with these?

 

I had a guy ask for a swap with a vetra 1.8 with a nearly new engine transplant (same engine size etc.) but never explained why he had a engine transplant in the 1st place.

 

Any comments? Try keep it on topic please and no sarcastic rubbish :cheers:

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i had a 00 W reg vectra 1.8. crap power band, crap gearbox, crap handling, crap ride, crap quality, uncomfortable (and i had CD version - similar to say a ghia mondeo), awful turning circle and chances are it had new engine for one of common ecotec faults. they use a paper oil filter element replacement rather than a cannister, and the metal holder you put them in has a very easily broken off piece, that can come off without you realising when changing filter. i speak from experience. it allowed oil to spray out onto the nice hot exhaust downpipe, which made the oil catch on fire. fortunately small amount and did no damage, but still embaressing.

 

vauxhall garage even admit this is a common part and mine was only noticeable as i was in maccy dee drive thru. if i had been driving then oil would just spray out causing oil deprevation to engine and a buggered engine.

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Weak heads, Soft valves... Ecotecs IMO are just generally shite

 

 

agreed i have done a few cylinder heads on these and wish i had never bothered taking the jobs on

 

head gaskets are prone to going as the water is not pumped round efficiently

exhaust manifolds crack for fun

egr valves stick very easily

 

the one my dad had sounded as though the roof support bars had come loose

 

and as said about the oil filter housing break very easily

 

back bushes wear out for fun

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Weak heads, Soft valves... Ecotecs IMO are just generally shite

 

 

agreed i have done a few cylinder heads on these and wish i had never bothered taking the jobs on

 

head gaskets are prone to going as the water is not pumped round efficiently

exhaust manifolds crack for fun

egr valves stick very easily

 

the one my dad had sounded as though the roof support bars had come loose

 

and as said about the oil filter housing break very easily

 

back bushes wear out for fun

 

and the fact that almost every bolt is one of those Fcuking torq stars! :(

Edited by scottg17
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to be fair I have not found them to be that bad.. yes they do have their faults but mine sri140 is ok, 108mph in 3rd gear not bad..

 

common faults to look for are

cam sensor

Idle control valve

exhaust manifold warps causing the cracking thats ok in most cases it will snap the manifold bolts..

theirs also a seal at the font of the engine the O ring is £1.20 but you have to drop the sump to fit it..

rose bushes tend to need replacing every 18 months.

their are others but cant remember off hand.

Oh yer if you have 5 stud wheels only other car that shares the same PCD is a saab

and the main killer is the price of parts.. way over priced..

 

needless to say thats why I've got it up for sale and got a escort.. ;)

Edited by DRAVEN
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Hmmmmm, i smell dirty Rat.

 

Ive had my mondeo on Pissedonheads for a week or so and ive had 2 people offering me vectras as a swap. An 03 plate 1.8 with "genuine sri alloys" (ffs :nutter: ) and a 55plate 2.2 sri.................

 

They must be shite if everyones trying to get rid.

 

I had a 1998 vectra. It was crap. Headgasket went twice and it gave me physical pain in my back when driving.

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basically, the problem is they aren't a ford.

i had a p reg mondeo 1.8 lx with 147K on the clock, no history and looked bit tatty in places. this worked perfectly. comfortable, nice to drive, smooth, reliable, economical. perfect. only car better (in most ways) is my escort.

 

compare that to the vectra 1.8 CD which was newer, higher specced, 57K on the clock, F/S/h, etc. i would have the £250 mondy over the £1300 vectra any day of the week

FORD FTW

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wheres Lee R to tell us how great they are??

I liked mine, far more comfortable then any of Escorts.

what one did you have? mine gave me back ache after 25 mins where as escort did non stop for 123 miles. as i have said a few times now mine was CD on 15" alloys with quite high profile tyres and being plusher spec had the softer seats

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