Astra mk3 Arctic 1.6 8v to 3.0 24v build

[Harvey]

While fiddling with the timing belt I noticed the intake hose had split again and with no spares left in stock I opted for the Roose kit in OE matt black.


All fixed and looking decent so should have done this in the first place when I found the initial split a few years back, now fixed for life.

[Harvey]

A rather annoying thing with the Astra V6 was the OE drivers door central locking motor as I’ve replaced it a few times with what I thought were known good used items. However, it started doing its remote lock with instant unlock again sigh. You then must unlock and relock. Anyway I’d had enough and sourced a brand new MEAT & DORIA part no.31506 c/l motor who I believe were a genuine supplier to Vauxhall back in the day but I could be wrong.


I then noticed an issue with the new c/l motor, spot the different with new at bottom and old on top.

As I’ve stripped OE c/l motors before I had a cunning yet simple fix as you can simply swap the end connections over.

With that done I mounted the new motor and tested while also having a check inside the door with no grot in there. I’m pleased to state the drivers door is now locking correctly and behaving as it should be, hoorah.

[Harvey]

Scooted down to the VauxALL show at the British Motor Museum last Sunday. Fab day, decent weather and good mooch around the show and museum.

However, on arrival at VauxALL I noted some damp patches on the ground and then looked under the car. Sure enough something was dripped so popped the bonnet to find the low-pressure PAS return pipe to the reservoir was leaking.

30 miles from home and the steering got rather heavy. Popped it in the air and the gearbox and subframe were rather messy. Wrestled the pipe off and found an age-related split/crack right under the reservoir connection on the hose.


The OE part in no longer available from anywhere so ordered an appropriate oil compatible 10mm ID hoes and got it sorted a few days later. Cleaned up all the mess then car plus owner were happy again with no damage to PAS pump luckily.



Huge thanks to Booth’s Bespoke Trim who pulled out all the stops to get the Astra headliner retrimmed in OE spec fabric. Some in progress snaps.



Collected and then fitted last night. They have completed an epic retrim and wifey and I are super pleased with the outcome, no more saggy headliner FTW.

[Harvey]

For anyone not aware this wonderful Astra is now for sale click me

[Harvey]

Popped down to VBOA show so thanks to all on Astra MK3 Owners Club stand for having us, the wife’s car felt very at home among other amazing mk3s.

The day after we got home from the show while I was washing the car my keen eye noted a rather alarming but tiny split forming on the top of the coolant header tank.

I popped straight onto my favourite site and ordered a Febi header tank part no.49696 which arrived a few days later.


Due to the recent heatwave the wing mirror glass had slipped as the goop had obviously melted a tab. I removed both and carefully popped them off the mountings and used brake cleaner to get all the goop off. I then bonded the mirrors on using RTV sump sealer so they’ll never make a bid for freedom again and left them to set with appropriate weigh to hold them in place prior to refitting.


Back to the header tank…used my trusty hand pump to suck all the coolant from the existing tank without spilling a drop.


On removal I saw an additional split on the underside and another on the side moulding so very lucky it didn’t pop while driving.


New vs old.

Fitting is the opposite of removal, can you spot the new part in the engine bay lolz.

[Harvey]

The Astra V6 had more cuddles this past week with new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 fitted in 205/40R17.


I’ve been using the same independent tyre shop for years and this happened. I’m not going to name and shame as the shop owner was happy to get it sorted but I said I’ll take it to my paint man. The more annoying part was the fitter tried to cover it up and denied doing it, really, I saw you fit the tyre you muppet.

More than happy with the results and reimbursed in cash by the tyre shop.

New rubber loveliness even have a chunky sidewall protector which we won’t be trying out. I chose black weights so they blend in and look less ‘HELLO, I’N NEW ROUND HERE’.

[Harvey]

Finally managed to get the noisy pair together last month with both the wife’s Astra V6 and my VXR8 attending the Dukeries Motor Club show at Mansfield.


More from the show.

This beauty (in my eyes) had a 7.2L Jenson engine plonked in.

[Harvey]

It’s that fun time of year that for some reason I always dread as it’s your work being examined. I need not fret as the MOTer said all was good and it flew through the MOT with an all clear and no advisory this year for loud exhaust so I’m assuming the tester is losing his hearing or becoming attuned to the V6 grumbling hahahah.


While it was on the ramps I grabbed a few underside pics to prove it’s clean down there for anyone interested in buying as it’s for sale click me. I never intended making it concourse as it’s a usable car and the MOTer commented how clean it was.

[Harvey]

Bittersweet after 26 years, 5 months, 24 days of my wife owning her Astra mk3 it has now been sold. We both hope the new owner thoroughly enjoys it as much as I have building/maintaining it and the wife has driving it. This concludes the build diary, missed already but never forgotten.