1.7 Diesel Engine Question

Hi,

I'm currently looking for a cheap but reliable diesel car and have see a
number of 1.7 turbo diesel Astras and Cavaliers that i like the look of. Can
anybody shed some light on reliablity and what to look for when buying.

For instance, i was offered a 1.7 TD Cavalier on an L plate for £250 but it
had done 185,000 miles. Is this too much mileage for this type of engine?

 

They're fine until the fuel pump breaks, which is common. To replace them,
you may need a 2nd mortgage.

 

Got 161,000 miles out of mine.
By then the alternator bearings were noisy (£150+) but the engine was
sound and still gave 50-55mpg
Dave

 

£250 for a 93/94 cavalier TD? i would expect problems at that price and that
mileage but hey.you might get lucky.
i've seen camshafts snap on these, rockers snap too, what does it sound
like?
185,000 miles in excessive on any motor.

 

I'm running a 94 L 1.7 Turbo diesel which has done 109000 miles in the 9
years I've had it. Its been a good all round car towing caravans and boats
and a lot of long distance driving. I'll certainly be keeping it for a
couple more years. It began to be a bad starter on cold mornings until this
newsgroup mentioned the valve clearances. Once they were re-shimmed to
correct settings its starts first turn of the key.
Mind you I'd stay clear of one with 185,000 miles unless I'd done most of
them.

Bob (reply address is spam trapped so no good)

 

That is a lot of miles for a car you know nothing about. Mind you, £250
isn't much money!

I would expect problems with any car of that mileage although you could be
lucky. If it does have a major failure you can always scrap it at that
price.

Even a well maintained car with regular oil changes will be suffering by
this mileage.

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

Vauxhall CD players & handbooks
http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/vauxhallradiosales

 

Thank you all for your advice, i've bought an 67,000 mile M reg Astra 1.4i
for £600 now.

 

that sounds like a good deal.....you must be up north??? i would expect
double that price down here....as long as the car is sound.