But, despite the fact that during the operation on our roads the car managed to win the love and trust of car owners, it has its own weaknesses. For example, under the influence of road reagents, ABS sensors in the hubs of all 4 wheels often “fly”. Failures of the SIM module may occur and then the idle speed “floats” and the lighting devices “fail”. As an option: suddenly the turn indicators may blink. Fixed failures of the throttle control unit.
Due to the increased vibration of the engine at idle, the rear engine mount may wear out prematurely. Often, unpleasant surprises, according to Opel Astra owners, can be presented by an air conditioning compressor and gearbox. On diesel modifications, there is a high probability of a divergence between the joints of the exhaust line and the exhaust manifold. The rear brakes may lock up after a long period of parking. Glass seals quickly fail and condensation forms in the cabin. The wiper control system is incomprehensible and the back seat is cramped. Well, it is also impossible not to note the increased fuel consumption, unimportant rear visibility and a “rattling” interior.
Getting rid of these shortcomings on your own is quite problematic. Those who have junk buttons on the steering wheel and the sound signal disappears need to change the wiring harness leading to the module. If this does not help - then the module itself. The culprit for such problems is the supplier of steering column components. If you contact the service or demand a warranty replacement, then to demonstrate the “glitch”, you should not turn off the car, because after the subsequent ignition is turned on, everything can work safely and “suddenly”.
If the gearbox fails, due to the complexity of its design, self-repair is not recommended. You can try to fix the situation yourself if the rear window electric heating system is broken. To do this, check the grounding - a small self-tapping screw from Philips, fixing the black wiring to the rear window frame. It happens that it is slightly tightened. The best option would be to use a screw one size larger, wrapping it in place of the previous one. If the backlight of the instrument panel is not working, check the resistor that regulates it. Disconnect the gear wheel of the resistor. You can temporarily bridge the contacts with a piece of wire to which the resistor was connected.
The manufacturer tries its best to eliminate design flaws. Yes, and how else? After all, no one canceled the competition. From generation to generation, Opel Astra line cars become more functional and more beautiful. Already the fourth model has been supplemented by a mass of convenient innovations. Noise isolation has been significantly improved, it allows you to have a leisurely conversation at high speed with the window open. This is achieved by improving the body and its elements, the introduction of double-sided solid seals, the use of new materials for finishing doors and ceilings. The suspension design has been redesigned, which significantly reduces the level of vibrations going to the body. In the cabin, a lot of useful "household" little things were invented. The good news was that, regardless of the engine size, the models burn no more than 10 liters of fuel. And this is so valuable with our high cost of gasoline. Another important innovation is that a semi-independent beam is used here with Watt rods. This combination improves the maneuverability and dynamic performance of the car, without affecting its stability and comfort. The secret is that Watt's rods resist lateral loads, and for the longitudinal ones, the responsibility lies with the semi-independent beam.
And one more thing: Opel Astra is one of the safest cars in terms of protection in its class. Today, it is possible to find fault with the “brainchild” of a well-known German manufacturer, if only you specifically set yourself such a goal.
What is the reason for the difficulty in engaging the first and second gears of the F17 manual gearbox on a cold Astra H?
This is the normal operation of this unit. The design of synchronizers physically does not allow gears to be engaged with a large difference in shaft speeds in the box. This is especially evident when switching up at very high engine speeds and down - under normal conditions.
In addition, we note the “strictness” of the clutch pedal, which is typical for many Opel models: problems with gear changes can occur when it is not fully depressed.
Comment ZR. The F17 manual is not young. Now it is being produced according to Opel's drawings by Aisin, which is serious about the quality of the oils poured into the units. Therefore, owners are advised not to experiment with non-recommended oils in the hope of improving the quality of shifting.
Why was there no recall campaign for Insignia with a 1.6 turbo engine due to problems with spark plugs?
The service campaign has been announced and is still in effect. Spark plugs from the original factory supplier had an electrode that fell off and remained in the cylinder, resulting in serious damage. Candle supplier changed.
The nature of the repair of a damaged motor depends on the specific case - the replacement of the unit completely or its individual parts. The work is done free of charge. On eligible vehicles, old-style spark plugs are replaced with new ones. This campaign also extends to Egypt, Turkey and other countries where there are high temperatures. And only for Russia, it also included an update of the firmware of the motor control unit in order to ensure that conditions leading to the destruction of the spark plug electrode are excluded.
What causes the piston group to collapse on supercharged 1.4 engines?
Yes, there is instruction number 2130. It is recommended to lubricate the splines of the input shaft of the box, along which the release bearing and clutch disc move. Note that problems with gear shifting can also arise due to operational reasons not related to those described above.
The owner needs to contact the dealer and our customer support center - we will tell you if this bulletin applies to a particular vehicle. Free repairs (removing the box and lubricating the splines) are carried out only on cars with a valid warranty. Otherwise, the repair will be paid.
How to solve the problem with vibrations on the body of Astra H cars with 1.6 and 1.8 engines? Will there be a modernization of gears and solenoid valves of the timing system? Why was there no recall campaign to replace the air conditioning recirculation damper?
Usually vibrations are associated with malfunctions of the engine or its mounts. Most often, soot on candles and problems with ignition coils are to blame. Less commonly, we encounter clogged fuel injectors.
Installing a damper on the right drive, which many owners hope for, will not get rid of vibrations. It is designed to solve the problem with different lengths of drives and the resulting asymmetry of traction during acceleration and deceleration, but nothing more.
The timing variators and valves were modernized about five years ago and have not caused problems in recent years. Old-style parts have long been out of stock.
The recirculation damper replacement campaign lasted from 2008 to 2010. Old-style parts with a short axle were changed free of charge to modified ones with a long one. The updated nodes arrived on the conveyor in the fall of 2008, and they began to be installed in the services in the spring of the same year. Those who did not have time to carry out repairs as part of the action will have to do it at their own expense.
How are the problems with the rapid failure of seat heating, the sound of the rear brake pads and the leakage of the thermostat housing on Astra J cars being solved?
All of the above nodes have already been upgraded. Since August 2014, the seat heating conductors have been changed (they are different, depending on the type of upholstery). On older vehicles, the dealer will replace the failed heater with a new one under warranty. Changes to the rear brakes were made in 2013. They touched mainly on the brackets of the caliper brackets. In the same year, a technical bulletin for dealers was published on the elimination of knocks in old-style nodes.
The thermostat consists of two half-shells: the rear one is metal, and the front one is made of plastic. Contrary to rumors, the same assembly is installed on Opel Astra J and Chevrolet Cruze cars with 1.6 atmospheric engines. The plastic part lacked rigidity. It has recently been modified along with the gasket of the half-hulls. Depending on the specific case, the dealer changes only the gasket or installs updated parts instead of both.
When will the promised applications for the IntelliLink multimedia system be available? How does the manufacturer solve problems in the system? When will the latest software updates be available?
We're sorry, but there will be no new applications for the current generation of IntelliLink. Work stopped: additional functions require a lot of resources, and this would affect the operation of the main systems. The next generation of the IntelliLink system that we are currently developing has enough performance to enable new applications to emerge.
We have already made some updates to the software. If the system malfunctions after modification, please contact your dealer and our customer support center. The next update is scheduled for March-April this year. But, unlike the previous ones, it will be irreversible (“rollback” is impossible). Therefore, machine owners will be asked to review the list of changes before making a decision.
What causes automatic transmission oil cooler tubes to flow on Astra J and Zafira C machines?
Leaks are due to the material of the tubes, which does not withstand prolonged exposure to very low temperatures. Opel has announced a service campaign 14‑P‑036. It provides for free replacement of tubes with modified ones, made of more frost-resistant and elastic material.
The campaign covers cars from 2010-2014, so it is divided into several stages. The promotion is valid only for Russia - in other countries there are no problems with such leaks.
What is the reason for the strong vibration when stopping at a traffic light in position D of the automatic gearbox selector? Why do jerks and jerks occur when shifting gears?
Most often, vibration is associated with the inclusion of a software "neutral" (PN). This can be checked by moving the selector to manual shift mode: the vibration should decrease. Otherwise, the motor or its mounts are faulty.
The PN function causes the torque converter to rotate passively: the engine-box pair is disconnected. This is done for the sake of the environment. In motors with an automatic flywheel, the flywheel is much less massive than on machines with a manual gearbox. Therefore, its role as a vibration damper is played by a torque converter. Software "neutral", in fact, turns it off - and the vibrations increase. On naturally aspirated 1.6 engines, this problem was very common and was overcome by a software change. Similar cases with 1.4 turbo engines are rare, so the manufacturer is still looking for solutions.
Shocks and jerks when shifting gears have a lot of reasons. For example, at very low or high ambient temperatures, this behavior of the automatic transmission indicates a temperature adaptation mode. The control program is trying to protect the box. Gearshifts occur at increased oil pressure, at higher engine speeds or as quickly as possible to avoid clutch slippage. Together, this creates a sensation of impact.
Another reason is the adaptation of switching when the driver changes the driving style (an active driver replaced a calm one; after a uniform movement along the highway, the car drove into a stormy metropolis). However, jerks should stop after a couple of clicks on the gas pedal.
Of course, malfunctions can also be the cause of jerks - from low oil levels to worn clutches. Our "automatic machines" provide adaptation for wear, but it will smooth out shocks only up to a certain threshold.
Comment ZR. Opel is one of the few manufacturers that recommend periodic oil changes in "automatic machines". During normal operation under normal conditions, the Germans advise changing the fluid in the GF6 box (on most cars with a gasoline engine) at a range of 80,000–100,000 km, and in difficult conditions, twice as often. The intervals for the AF40 unit (on diesel engines) are 120,000–140,000 km and 70,000–75,000 km, respectively. It is imperative to change the oil even after a slight overheating of the unit - it quickly degrades! Some of these recommendations are spelled out in the maintenance regulations.
Who makes genuine GM oils? Is the GM dexos2 product fully synthetic?
Oils for us are produced by several American and European suppliers, including Mobil and Fuchs.
GM dexos2 is not a specific product, but a quality tolerance. It can be assigned to an oil on any basis, as long as the requirements of the standard are met.
Why doesn't the Astra H have hood soundproofing? For what reason is the metal protection of the engine not solid and does not cover the generator from dirt?
Instead of the usual “quilted jacket” of sound insulation, this car uses a special inner hood panel. It is made almost solid and has dome-shaped stampings, which act as an acoustic reflector and diffuser. This is quite enough for cars with gasoline engines. Diesel modifications, in addition, have the usual soundproofing. It is available for order and, if desired, it can be installed on the hood of gasoline cars. For this, only pistons will be needed.
When designing a factory crankcase, any manufacturer first of all thinks about a compromise between the physical protection of the units and their adequate cooling. In fact, this element is not designed to protect against dirt.
The installation of continuous (not factory) protection seriously violates the thermal regime in the engine compartment. This can lead to overheating of the units. This became especially important with the advent of modern motors and gearboxes, which are already seriously thermally loaded. Do not forget about the change in the power structure of the car body. Unlike non-standard protections, factory ones are tested in crash tests.
Will there be updates to navigation maps?
The list of update numbers, when they appear, is published on our website (www.opel.ru) in the accessories section. You can purchase and install them through official Opel dealers. Updates are installed at will and at the expense of the client. Note that many other manufacturers have a similar policy. Of course, you can include the cost of all future updates immediately in the price of this option, but this approach is more typical for the premium segment.
Why does the F17 CR (Astra H Caravan) box have a very “short” fifth gear?
Gear ratios are selected to obtain optimal vehicle performance, and this is always a compromise. Caravan has a big difference between curb and gross weight (empty and loaded). Therefore, in order to obtain acceptable traction-speed dynamics, “shortened” gears were used, which are just encrypted in the “CR” index.
What does the term "automatic transmission ranking" mean on Opel Antara and Chevrolet Captiva cars?
This term, in our opinion, was born on the forums of the owners due to an incorrect interpretation of the service documentation. It has nothing to do with automatic transmission.
In some dealerships, when servicing cars, they write out a larger amount of engine oilthan is required in reality. Is it possible to somehow influence this situation?
In the production of automobiles, modernization and design improvements are constantly going on. The information in the owner's manual also changes. Therefore, it is possible that the amount of oil prescribed may not correspond to a particular vehicle. However, the differences usually do not exceed 200-300 ml.
The owner of the machine can ask for admission to the repair area at the time of filling the oil or any other operation of interest. If a clearly overestimated amount of liquid is written out for a car (more than 0.5 liters for 4-cylinder engines), then contact our customer support center or demand that the underfilled package of oil be put in the trunk.
Why doesn't General Motors CIS LLC dictate the cost and maintenance technical regulations to official dealers? When will the information on the lists of maintenance work be made publicly available?
Maintenance price standards are not rigidly fixed, as this contradicts the antimonopoly legislation of the Russian Federation and does not reflect the economic situation in different regions of the country. The dealership is an independent retailer and therefore can set prices as it sees fit. Since 2015, GM has been posting average retail prices for spare parts on its website (www.opel.ru) to help owners better navigate the market. However, it should be noted that, according to the requirements of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, the importer does not have the right to dictate its pricing policy to dealers, and any attempt to impose prices by force can be considered as collusion.
Maintenance regulations (list of works) are available from any dealer, and can also be requested from our customer support center. And we will definitely think about posting this information on the site.
We dictate technical maintenance regulations to dealers. Since 2011, Opel has changed it every six months. Always ask the dealer for a printout of the current regulations.
Customer Support Center "General Motors CIS": 8-800-700-13-65, ss [email protected] Contact with any problems at the dealer level. You can find out about the current maintenance regulations and service campaigns at the hotline. The same information can be tracked on the myOpel portal, on the official website www.opel.ru.Previously, the questions of car owners - readers of ZR were answered by specialists of companies
In 2010, GM, inspired by the idea of downsizing, released its next engine. With a 1.4-liter volume, thanks to a low-pressure turbine (about 0.5 bar), a power of 140 hp was removed. This power unit is known under the designation A14NET in the Opel model range, and under the LUJ index among Chevrolet models. The 120 hp versions of this engine are designated A14NEL and LUH respectively.
The 1.4-liter GM turbo engine is widely distributed not only in Europe, but also in the CIS countries, as well as overseas - in the USA. Thanks to the "passing" working volume, cars with a 1.4 Turbo engine are gradually arriving in the states of the customs union. In this case, we are talking not only about compact Opel models, but also about Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Encore, purchased in the USA.
Motor problems 1.4Turbo (A14NET/LUJ). Ventilation of crankcase gases
This engine generally does not cause serious problems, but it has some congenital "sores" that have been recognized by the manufacturer. During the warranty period, these problems were fixed free of charge, but most often they manifested themselves after the warranty period.
The crankcase ventilation system delivers special troubles. As with any turbo engine, engineers had to resort to certain tricks to implement it. But practice has shown that the quality of the implementation of these tricks is lame. In fact, 100% of the A14NET / LUJ engines encountered malfunctions in the crankcase ventilation (CVG) system.
All three components of the VCG system fail:
- diaphragm located directly in the plastic valve cover;
- check valve in the plastic intake manifold;
- corrugated hose from the intake manifold to the turbine.
Usually problems happen with the first two nodes of the VCG system.
Signs of problems with the VKG system of the 1.4 Turbo engine (A14NET / LUJ) are:
- increased oil consumption (oil burns in the cylinders or in the exhaust manifold, seeping through the turbine cartridge or will go out through the seals and / or through the valve cover);
- smoky exhaust;
- hissing sound in the engine compartment (bleeding sound);
- floating speed or engine tripping;
- reduction in engine power;
- increased fuel consumption;
- computer diagnostics will show the following errors: P0106, P0171, P0299, P0507, P1101, P2096 (they indicate a lean mixture or a difference in the calculated and actual air consumption);
- indirect sign: the impossibility of unscrewing the oil filler cap, or after unscrewing it or removing the oil dipstick, the engine speed starts to float.
Due to the failure of one or another component of the system, the pressure in the crankcase and in the cavity of the valve cover will greatly increase under the action of the air pressurized by the turbine. Ignore problems with the VCG system can not be: incorrect mixture formation and detonation occur, oil is squeezed out and shaft seals wear out, the catalyst is clogged, spark plugs fail. Due to the high pressure in the crankcase, the oil from the turbine cartridge stops flowing into it and is instead squeezed out into the turbine or compressor part.
What to do if the operation of the crankcase ventilation system is disrupted?
First you need to make sure that the malfunctions really concern the VCG system. To do this, we do the following:
- open the hood and remove the decorative cover from the motor;
- on the driver's side on the plastic valve cover we see a round casting (see photo below);
- there is a rubber diaphragm-regulator of the VKG system in the casting;
- if it is destroyed / torn, then when the motor is running, air is sucked through the hole, simultaneously making a whistling sound. This whistle stops if you plug this hole with your finger. In this case, the engine speed may begin to "float", the vibration will increase.
This casting contains the rubber diaphragm of the crankcase ventilation system. When the diaphragm is destroyed, air is sucked in through this hole (in some cases, crankcase gases are blown out from here).
Regardless of whether you are convinced that the diaphragm is working, you need to check one more element of the VCG system. The engine must be turned off. Then you need to find the place where the corrugated hose connects to the plastic intake manifold. The hose must be disconnected by first removing the bracket fixing it.
At this point, crankcase gases enter the intake manifold and, through a hose, into the intake tract before the turbine. Thus, crankcase ventilation is ensured. The valves block the backflow of gases from the intake tract (where, due to boost, the pressure is almost always high and there is no vacuum, as in an atmospheric engine) back into the crankcase.
After disconnecting the hose, you need to look into the hole in the intake manifold. The “nipple” of the mushroom valve should be visible there. It is clearly visible by its bright orange or red color. In some cases, you may need a cotton swab, soaked in solvent: Use it to feel and lightly clean the valve to make sure it is present. If the valve cannot be detected either visually or with a stick, then it simply does not exist. The fact is that the valve simply rips off the seat, after which it flies somewhere along the hose towards the turbine.
The mushroom valve of the VCG system must be present in the intake manifold.
The next step is to check the patency of the entire hose and the operability of the second valve located at the point where the hose is attached to the intake tract near the turbine. It is necessary to blow into the hose - while the air must pass freely. And then you need to “breathe” from the hose - while the air from it (i.e. in the opposite direction) should not pass. Often the hose simply cracks, which causes air leakage. If none of this happens, the entire hose must be replaced.
To solve problems with the VCG system, you have to change the plastic valve cover (there are already offers for used ear covers with a rebuilt diaphragm), the plastic intake manifold (because the non-return valve located in it is not supplied separately) and the hose with the second valve.
Problems with the turbine 1.4Turbo (A14NET/LUJ)
The turbine of the 1.4-liter GM engine does not die on its own. Its resource can be greatly reduced due to the described problems with the crankcase ventilation system. Beginning lubrication problems and possible back pressure in the exhaust manifold negatively affect the operating conditions of the shaft support bearings.
One specific problem with the turbine of the 1.4 Turbo engine (A14NET / LUJ) was acknowledged by the manufacturer. The problem is that the return spring of the actuator that controls the internal bypass valve of the turbine weakens over time and does not do its job well. Because of this, more and more exhaust gases slip past the turbine wheel in medium and high load modes, designed to spin the turbine impeller. The responses of the motor and its power as a whole are reduced, an “error” P0299 (low turbine pressure) may be recorded.
The actuator, as conceived by the manufacturer, cannot be replaced separately. However, there are already offers of non-original actuators. But its installation must be entrusted to specialists, since adjustment and a special approach to mounting the actuator stem to the valve are required.
Turbocharger engine 1.4 Turbo (A14NET / LUJ). The photo clearly shows the internal bypass valve and its actuator.
Destruction of engine pistons 1.4Turbo (A14NET/LUJ)
The saddest and most common problem with a small GM turbo engine is the destruction of its pistons, the partitions between the compression rings.
The problem is known for cars operated in America and in the CIS countries. Most often found on cars 2010-2013 of release. Pistons can be destroyed both at a run of 20,000 km, and at a run far beyond 100,000 km.
The manufacturer does not report the exact reasons for the destruction of the pistons, but it is not difficult to determine them:
- the destruction of the pistons occurs due to detonation, which occurs when using low-quality fuel. This reason also covers "chip" engines, where, due to the increased pressure in the combustion chambers, detonation can also occur when operating on fairly high-quality fuel;
- malfunction of the crankcase ventilation system, causing improper mixture formation (too lean mixture).
The destruction of the pistons of the 1.4 Turbo engine (A14NET / LUJ) occurs due to detonation that occurs when working on low-quality low-octane fuel or with the wrong composition air-fuel
mixtures.
Where to buy contract engine 1.4 Turbo (A14NET / LUJ)?
The Opel / Chevrolet / GM 1.4 Turbo (A14NET / LUJ) engine can be bought from the warehouse of Ravto.by, which has its own site in North America. In the USA, Ravto.by independently dismantles cars for spare parts and sends the parts to warehouses in Minsk and Moscow. For every detail and, especially, for the engine, Ravto.by stores and transmits to the client information about the actual mileage.
What is very important when buying an engine or automatic transmission, the mileage on power units and transmissions from the USA is an order of magnitude less than on European ones. In addition, motors taken from American cars have a minimum number of hours due to less stressful and devoid of traffic jams. The Ravto.by site is located in the south of the United States and dismantles cars from this warm and not densely populated region.
Evgeny Dudarev
website
Contacts in Minsk
+375 29 239 29 39 MTS
+375 29 119 29 39 Velcom
+375 29 125 12 12 Velcom
Contacts in Moscow
+7 925 299 94 38 (wholesale)
+7 915 269 27 37
+7 965 177 32 23
Now in the secondary market you can find a fairly large number of Opel Astra J models at an affordable price. For example, a five-door hatchback 2011-2013 can be purchased in the region of 450-500 thousand rubles. Solaris, Rio, Polo Sedan of the same years are sold at the same prices. But the Astra is a C-class car, that is, a higher class, and outwardly cute, in the cabin there is soft plastic and a lot of different bells and whistles. What's the matter, why is the price tag for Opel understated?
In this article, we will talk about common problems, malfunctions, weaknesses of this model and see why the prices for Astra J are at the Solaris level.
Engines
The range of engines consists of atmospheric and turbocharged gasoline engines. This is for the Russian market. Diesel units are also available for Europe, but today we will talk exclusively about versions for Russia.
The most popular internal combustion engine among aspirators is the 1.6-liter 115-horsepower A 16 XER. A less popular version of the A14 XER, with a volume of 1.4, with a capacity of 100 forces.
They were completed with a 5-speed manual F17, and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.4-liter A14 XER is manual only.
In terms of reliability, the version with a 1.6 engine (115 hp) is the best and unpretentious. Here you can fill in both the 92nd and the 95th. There is no turbine, which means that it will not need to be repaired.
Of the minuses, it is impossible not to note the weak acceleration dynamics of Astra with such an internal combustion engine. Fuel consumption in the city is 10-11 liters, and this is with moderate driving on the mechanics. With an automatic, the consumption will be higher, and if you drive dynamically, it can reach 13-15 liters.
About turbo engines
Engine 1.4 (A 14 NET) 140 hp, 200 Nm torque at 1850-4900 rpm. It was equipped with a 6-speed M32 manual and a 6-speed automatic.
Of the pluses, it is worth noting the excellent dynamics, acceleration from zero to hundreds takes 9.8 seconds on the version with manual transmission. Fuel consumption according to the passport is 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers. In practice, no less - 9.6-10 liters.
Of the minuses: the turbocharger fails, on average, per 100,000 kilometers. Some earlier, some later. You can't guess here. Work to replace the turbine from official dealers is estimated at 3,000 rubles, and the original assembly part costs 50,000 rubles, but you can also buy a non-original one from Garret for 32,000 rubles.
New turbocharger for 1.4 A 14 NET. Read about the rules of operation
Another disadvantage is the destruction of the pistons. Symptoms of this breakdown: increased oil consumption, from 0.5 to 1-2 liters of oil per 300-350 km, as well as the appearance of vibrations or tripling.
You can identify the problem only by "opening" the engine.
According to General Motors: “when using low-quality gasoline, detonation occurs, which leads to breakage of the piston rings and their partitions - up to the complete destruction of the pistons.” Therefore, it is recommended to fill in fuel with an octane rating of AI-95 and only at proven gas stations.
The less popular but more powerful 1.6 Turbo (A 16 LET) 180 HP and 1.6T SIDI (A16XHT) engines have almost the same problems as the 1.4 Turbo.
In general, Opel turbo engines, as well as other brands, are quite capricious and require careful maintenance.
Gearboxes
The five-speed F17 has a design feature: the first and second speeds on a cold engine can be turned on with difficulty. And this is quite normal. This is due to the design of synchronizers.
The M32 six-speed transmission, which is only available with turbocharged engines, shifts at all speeds clearly and smoothly. Of the shortcomings: noise may appear at speed. It is usually thought that the release bearing is the culprit, but in reality it is worn gearbox shaft bearings.
The six-speed Hydra-Matic GM automatic (6T30E, 6T40E, 6T45E) is a classic torque converter and at first glance seems to be hassle-free, but in practice it is not.
In particular, at various runs, the hydraulic unit may fail, the gears break, the oil cooler tubes flow, the planetary gear set wears out, and so on. Problems are usually solved by replacing the automatic transmission, or by overhaul. The cost is approximately 70-100 thousand rubles.
So when buying, be sure to diagnose this unit, preferably at the dealer. And it is important to periodically replace Dexron VI gear oil every 50-60 thousand.
Cooling system
The thermostat is an obvious weak point in the Astra J. When the cooling fan starts spinning constantly and the requirement for maintenance is displayed on the dashboard, it means that it's time to change the thermostat.
Usually, owners purchase a Chevrolet Cruze in a metal case and do not experience such a problem after replacement. The cost is about 4000 rubles.
As a rule, such a breakdown occurs on a mileage of 20 to 50,000 km, regardless of the engine model.
In addition, Astra has a problem with a pump that lets coolant through. Solved by replacing .
New and old water pump
On runs of 80-90,000 km, replacement of heat exchanger gaskets is required, which allow engine oil to pass into antifreeze. If you replace them in time, an emulsion may appear, the thermostat may fail, which is fraught with overheating of the engine. Work + spare parts = 10,000 rubles from an authorized dealer.
As soon as you notice that the antifreeze in the expansion tank has become dark in color, it is most likely that the oil enters the coolant.
I recommend buying only original gaskets, as there have been cases when people who purchased non-original parts had to return to the service in less than half a year and do the same work again.
With suspension and steering Astra J has no particular problems. But if there is a knock from the rear, then most likely it is the rear calipers knocking. This is a design feature of models produced before 2013-2014. Modified caliper brackets and guides were installed on restyled cars, which do not emit extraneous knocks when driving over bumps.
The sound of the calipers is eliminated by replacing the brackets with guides, or by installing springs from the rear drums of the VAZ 2108, 2109. One bracket costs 4,500 rubles.
Having described the common sores of Astra J, it is worth noting its undoubted advantages:
1) Modern and stylish appearance
2) High-quality paintwork, the paint layer is really thick. The body is galvanized from the factory.
3) Comfortable and pleasant interior with soft plastic.
Such a salon is the prerogative of the maximum version of Cosmo with additional options.
4) Excellent handling. Speed at 140 km / h is not felt. Road holding is excellent.
5) Moderately soft and not hard suspension.
6) Rich equipment - already in the basic version there are ABS, ESP, four airbags, air conditioning, heated mirrors, etc.
In conclusion, I will say that there are no problem-free cars in the world. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Every car needs to be looked after and taken care of. Whatever car you choose, always carefully check its technical component yourself, or with a competent master in a specialized service.
08.03.2017
Opel AstraH– the third generation of the compact class passenger car Opel Astra. Astra has always been a popular model, but this generation especially pleased dealers with sales volumes. Recently, the number of used Opel Astra H has increased dramatically, of course, this can be attributed to the regular renewal of cars, since most motorists do this every 4-5 years. But it may be that the owners begin to get rid of their cars after a run of 100-150 thousand km. And, here, what is the true reason, and what disadvantages are inherent in this car, now let's try to figure it out.
A bit of history:
The debut of the Opel Astra H took place in 2003 at the Frankfurt auto show, and in March 2004 the serial assembly of the car began. In the markets of different countries, it was also produced under the names Chevrolet Astra, Chevrolet Vectra, Holden Astra, Saturn Astra and Vauxhall Astra. The novelty was designed to replace, popular at that time, Opel VectraB. In total, to storm the segment " C"or, as they say, a golf class, four bodies were produced based on the Delta platform, developed General Motors- three and five-door hatchback, sedan, station wagon and coupe.
For most CIS markets, the car was assembled at the Russian Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad, and since 2008 at the General Motors car assembly plant in Shushary near St. Petersburg. The design of the car was developed by the director of the German Opel design studio in Rüsselsheim - Friedhel Engler, who is also the creator of the Opel Corsa. The production of the model ceased in 2009, this model was replaced by the Opel Astra J, but, even after the release of the new model, the popularity of the Opel Astra H did not decrease at all, therefore, it was decided to extend the production of this model (the car was produced until 2014 under the name Astra Family).
Typical problems and malfunctions Opel Astra H with mileage
Unlike most competitors, the Opel Astra H has a fairly high-quality paintwork. The exception was cars made in Poland, on such specimens the paint swelled and fell off in pieces, fortunately, the manufacturer eliminated all the shortcomings under warranty. The body is completely galvanized, thanks to this it resists the onslaught of the red disease well, but, nevertheless, over time, from the effects of reagents that are generously sprinkled on our roads, it is possible to detect pockets of corrosion on the tailgate, door edges and thresholds. On cars of the first years of production, the headlights become cloudy, and the handles of the rear doors may also stick.
Engines
For the Opel Astra H, a large number of power units were available: gasoline - 1.4 (90 hp), 1.6 (105 hp), 1.8 (125 hp) and 2.0 (170, 200 hp); diesel - 1.3 (90 hp), 1.7 (100 hp), 1.9 (120 and 150 hp). All motors are quite reliable, but after 100,000 km of run they require little investment. The 1.4 engine proved to be the most trouble-free, but, due to insufficient power, this power unit is not in demand among motorists. For more common 1.6 and 1.8 engines, in our operating conditions, the catalyst and valve become dirty very quickly EGR. The problem is especially relevant for cars operated in the metropolis. One of the most serious breakdowns that many Astra owners have had to deal with is jammed intake and exhaust camshaft gears. This trouble occurs on a run of 60-80 thousand km, and after repair there is no guarantee that it will not happen again. Signs of a problem include: increased noise when starting the engine ( rattle, rumble) and worsening dynamics.
Also, the main disadvantages include a small resource of the rear engine mount ( becomes unusable every 60-70 thousand km). Often, owners are faced with a malfunction of the ignition system module, the cause of the disease lies in poor contact in the connectors and untimely replacement of spark plugs. Closer to 250,000 km, a rupture of the membrane responsible for the recirculation of crankcase gases occurs, located in the valve cover. You can identify the problem by the unstable operation of the engine, as well as by blue smoke from the exhaust system. Very often, the engine is sentenced to overhaul at the services, however, the problem is solved by replacing the valve cover. The most powerful power unit, in most cases, does not require repair up to 150,000 km, but minor troubles, such as fogging of the cylinder head and oil smudges through the crankshaft oil seal , can occur after 20,000 km of run.
All motors are belt driven timing, according to the regulations, belt replacement is prescribed every 90,000 km, but there have been cases of belt breakage after 50,000 km, therefore, it is better not to risk it and change the belt every 60,000 km. The pump is usually changed every second belt change. Diesel engines are reliable, but demanding on the quality of fuel and lubricants. Among the shortcomings of diesel engines, it should be noted weak fuel equipment and a small resource of the particulate filter ( replacement every 50-60 thousand km). If the filter is clogged, the thrust disappears, and fumes come out of the exhaust system, like from an old KAMAZ. Also, due to design miscalculations, the engine control unit suffers ( exposed to moisture and dirt). One of the most costly problems that owners of diesel cars face is the failure of a dual-mass flywheel ( resource 100-150 thousand km). Signals about the presence of a problem will be knocking and vibrations when shifting gears, it is worth noting that the gears turn on clearly. 
Transmission
Opel Astra H customers were offered three types of gearboxes to choose from - mechanical, automatic and robot. Easytronic". Mechanics is considered the most problem-free, even a clutch kit serves 100-120 thousand km. The only thing to blame manual transmission, so only for the lack of synchronizers, because of this, the reverse gear does not always turn on correctly. Among the shortcomings faced by owners of cars with mechanics, one can single out a leak in the rear crankshaft oil seal and a small resource of the output shaft bearing (60-80 thousand km). On some copies, after 70,000 km of run, cracks appear along the seam of the box. If, when switching from first to third gear, a blow is felt, it is better to contact the service, but, in most cases, it is enough to change the oil to eliminate the ailment.
The automatic transmission is famous for jerking and jerking during gear changes, but you should not be afraid of this, since this is not a breakdown, but a feature of the transmission. The most common automatic transmission problem is the leakage of coolant into the hydraulic circuit of the box, after which the unit completely fails. If the auto-neutral fails, cleaning the jet in the box will most likely help. When switching to emergency mode, the box only works in fourth gear. The robotic transmission is very capricious and requires attention every 15,000 km ( Maintenance and clutch adjustment).
During operation, the driven disk is erased, while the point of contact with the basket shifts, but the controller responsible for supplying fuel does not know about the shift in the point of contact and supplies the wrong amount of fuel. As a result, this leads to incorrect operation of the box and premature wear of the clutch. It is worth noting that even with timely maintenance of a robotic transmission, its resource in rare cases exceeds 150,000 km. Before buying a car with a robot, be sure to ride it, if there are strong jerks when switching, it is better to refuse to buy such a car.
Features and disadvantages of running Opel Astra H with mileage
Simplicity is the key to reliability, it was on this principle that the Opel Astra H suspension was developed, a semi-independent torsion beam was installed at the rear, and a semi-independent torsion beam was installed at the front. McPherson. If we talk about driving characteristics, then the suspension copes well with the realities of our roads, but it is characterized by increased noise. If you do not take into account the stabilizer struts and bushings (resource 20-40 thousand km), the support bearings and steering rods are considered the weakest point of the chassis, their resource, in most cases, does not exceed 60,000 km of run. wheel bearings ( sensorABS fails after 50,000 km) and ball bearings at medium loads nursed 50-70 thousand km. The rest of the suspension elements serve 100,000 km or more.
The weakest point in the steering mechanism is the steering rack, as a rule, it starts knocking after 100,000 km of run, fluid leakage may also occur, this, over time, can lead to the destruction of the assembly, but if the problem is noticed and eliminated in time, complications can to avoid. There are no complaints about the reliability of the brake system, the only thing the owners complain about is the small resource of the front pads (30,000 km.).
Salon
The interior of the Opel Astra is made in a simple style, but at the same time, the manufacturer used sufficiently high-quality materials, but, despite this, almost every car has crickets in the cabin. The car cannot boast of the reliability of the interior electrical equipment. The main problem in electronics is the incorrect operation of the buttons on the steering wheel and steering column control levers, the reason is a faulty steering column SIM module. There are also complaints about the climate control system, or rather, the air recirculation damper. The problem is manifested by a characteristic crack from under the console. 
Outcome:
In terms of reliability Opel AstraH not much different from its competitors, but due to the low cost of maintenance and repair, this car is one of the most interesting representatives of the golf class in the secondary market.
Advantages:
- Large selection of body types.
- Good quality interior trim.
- Economical engines.
Flaws:
- Rigid suspension.
- Bad visibility.
- A small resource of a robotic gearbox.
