| HOLDEN ASTRA TS CD 2000:
HOLDEN ASTRA TS LOW ON POWER AND STALLING AT IDLE.
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| 25 NOV 2008 |
SERVICE QUALITY |
*ADVICE* |
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| HOLDEN ASTRAS MUST BE SERVICED PROPERLY, AND ONLY USE GENUINE FILTERS AND THE CORRECT FLUIDS |
"Holden Astras must be serviced properly, and only use genuine filters and the correct fluids (see chapter 8). You can not treat them like a Kingswood and expect them to run well. Look at chapter 12 of the user's manual ($30 from a dealer if you don't have one) and make sure everything is being done on schedule. Most garages and dealers are really slack and only interested in how many cars they can put through in a day (i.e. maximum profit). For example, my wife's 2003 Zafira has been serviced 3 times, only at Holden dealers, over a period of 5 years, and never have they changed the brake fluid - the manual says do it every 2 years regardless of klm's.
I recently bought a 2000 TS Astra that had no power below 1500rpm, would jump and jerk under acceleration, and would stall when coming back to idle regularly. This is probably why the previous owners sold it to me for a bargain. They had it "serviced" at a garage "regularly". The problem was caused by a clogged fuel filter, which was 6000klm overdue, according to the user's manual. A genuine filter cost me $19 from a dealer, and 15 minutes under the car to swap it over. The scariest thing was that they had installed a non-genuine air filter, and had to adjust it with a razor blade, to make it fit. Thankfully it was fairly clean, so it had not been in for long (it now has the right one installed). The wrong air filter will cause a $1500 engine rebuild for sure.
My Astra now runs like a new car again, and I am servicing both vehicles myself from now on (my father is a retired mechanic though, which is good for me). When you go to a garage or dealer take the manual in with you and specifically ask them to follow the list. You can even ring Holden directly and ask them for recommendations. I had to do it once, when I suspected a dealer was lying to me.
Also, if the "Check Engine" light is not coming on, don't waste your time looking at the electronics. Look for a mechanical problem first or a basic electrical problem. e.g. If your battery is weak, the ECU can be starved by the electrical power steering pump, and when computers don't have the right voltage they will do all sorts of stupid things. Astra's need a 'big' battery for a small car.
I hope this helps someone. I have driven a lot of different hire cars and I chose to buy an Astra. I am very happy with it. It is a great car to drive."
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POSTED
BY: EVAN LYNCH
- BRISBANE - QLD - AUS 25 NOV 2008
PROVIDE
FEEDBACK
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========== REPLY ==========
I about to finalise a used car 1998 Holden Astra 1.8, 16 Valve, Sedan. Have done 80,000 kilometers. I need to know whether it should be fine or not. How is 16 valve over conventional 8 / 4 valves?
POSTED BY: SUHAS - STRATHPINE, QLD - AUS 16 DEC 2008 |
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