NeilP
|
 posted on 16/10/09 at 09:13 PM |
|
|
Things to watch out for on an XE
Going with a mate to see a potential westy purchase (his) - running a 2l XE - Not played with Vauxhall - what should I look out for in terms of
problems / warning signs?....
Thanks all.
If you pay peanuts...
Mentale, yar? Yar, mentale!
Drive it like you stole it!
|
|
|
|
|
cd.thomson
|
| posted on 16/10/09 at 09:34 PM |
|
|
if its not been used for a while and its got a rattly top end then dont worry too much. The hydraulic lifters tend to squeeze oil out over time and
its a common symptom. Should disappear after a few miles 
Craig
|
|
|
Danozeman
|
| posted on 16/10/09 at 09:42 PM |
|
|
oil in the water showing a porous head.
Dan
Built the purple peril!! Let the modifications begin!!
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk
|
|
|
FFTS
|
| posted on 16/10/09 at 09:54 PM |
|
|
Watch out if it has "Proton" written on the rocker cover. 
Chris.
|
|
|
Charlie_Zetec
|
| posted on 16/10/09 at 11:08 PM |
|
|
Noisy tappets (if not quiet when up to temperature or after a short run they'll need replacing - patent parts are crappy, and OE ones cost the
earth!).
Oil/water mix is another, due to waterways running through the head corroding. This can be overcome quite cheaply if it has occurred, but check to
make sure. Keep a look out for engines with the Coscast (Cosworth designed) heads - they're rare, but don't suffer from this problem.
Bottom end is pretty nails and will see many miles, but listen out for any signs of knocking. If the shells have worn it can throw a spanner in the
works, and lead to excessive bore score, complete with flappy piston. It is a rare thing, but I've come across it a couple of times.
Check for sticking thermostats, and cracks inthe housing, as these were a minor issue. You can also replace the std thermo with a lower temp one for
not much money, a common mod with big BHP engines and LET (turbo version) users.
Oil coolers had a tendancy to leak in Vaux engines as well. More commonly found on the V6's, XE's also had issues. Not necessary in a 7,
I feel, unless you're looking to track it or push it hard on a regular basis. Just disconnect or bypass!
Apart from that, 150BHP as standard, highly tuneable, and a solid engine.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!
|
|
|
mediabloke
|
| posted on 16/10/09 at 11:43 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by cd.thomson
if its not been used for a while and its got a rattly top end then dont worry too much. The hydraulic lifters tend to squeeze oil out over time and
its a common symptom.
+1. Thin oil is enough to hydraulic the lifters, but it's not terminal. They're easy to strip, clean & refill - just messy:
Clicky
Mine has gone from rattling for a minute before stripping them to about 3-4 secs from cold, and runs perfectly well on 10w40, as per oe spec.
Edit: sump gaskets also tend to leak on most Vauxhalls I've driven / seen, where thin oil is used. A new gasket + sealant at pump mating face +
the right oil should sort it.
OE tensioners have plastic inners and need to be replaced along with timing belts; the difference is about £30 iirc. Timing belts should themselves
be changed at 40k max.
Otherwise, they're nails and torquey as hell.
[Edited on 16/10/09 by mediabloke]
|
|
|
NeilP
|
| posted on 17/10/09 at 09:00 AM |
|
|
Cheers folks!...
|
|
|
