My Car has Died

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by pamsdish, Jun 9, 2014.

  1. pamsdish

    pamsdish Total Gardener

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    R.I.P. the babe,Opel Astra. Bought her in Eire 1999, imported her to U.K. 2003 on our return home. Shipped her to Malta, drove her back through Italy and France, passed every M.O.T. no problems, few small maintenance problems in the last 2 years, but her time has come. She gave up on the M4 today, roadside assist brought her home and he had a look, thinks it`s the fuel pump, every cloud has a silver lining, booked for M.O.T. Monday, insurance due in 2 weeks.
    A little emotional as it`s 2 years Friday my husband died, I gave his golf clubs to somebody on free cycle today, perhaps it`s a message.
    Now pull myself together and get things sorted out.
     
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      pamsdish, Jun 9, 2014
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Sorry to hear that, Pam. Bad things happening always seem to come at a time when pressure is on from other things.


      Well, we're here for you, have no doubt of that.:wub2:
       
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        A fuel pump on an Astra isn't an overly difficult job, and shouldn't be horrendously expensive either - unless there are other issues with the car?
         
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          Fat Controller, Jun 9, 2014
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        • Phil A

          Phil A Guest

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          Aww Pam [​IMG]
           
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            Phil A, Jun 9, 2014
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          • Lolimac

            Lolimac Guest

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            :grphg::grphg::grphg:
             
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            • "M"

              "M" Total Gardener

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              :grphg: So, so, sorry to hear you are having challenging times, Pam :grphg:
               
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              • pamsdish

                pamsdish Total Gardener

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                She needs a couple of tyres, just thinking with age of car, cost of maintenance, ins,tax would it be worth it, it is convenient for shopping but live on a good bus route and have a bus pass so that`s free. Been offered by neighbours brother £100 and he will try and do it up, we could always perhaps borrow it aswell. Need to think a bit...
                 
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                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                  As far as I recall, the Astra still used the mechanical fuel pump (as opposed to the electronic ones) and was mounted on the engine; if so, I'd be surprised if the pump was more than £20 or £30, and a couple of bolts/screws to fit. Tyres shouldn't be horrific, and if you have good local tyre place they might well be able to get you some nearly new part-worn tyres for a fraction the cost of new.

                  You are right though, its the cost of insurance and tax as much as anything nowadays - although I managed to shave over £200 off my insurance this year.
                   
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                    Fat Controller, Jun 9, 2014
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                  • mr c

                    mr c Gardener

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                    the mk4 astra diesel had ecu controlled fuel pump
                     
                    mr c, Jun 9, 2014
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                  • pamsdish

                    pamsdish Total Gardener

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                    My "babe" was an Opel, the engine is German, the mechanic man yesterday tried to get the connectors off the pump, right at the back of the engine, to check if it was working, but they wouldn`t come off. I recall my husband going for some parts at Vauxhall, he told the sales man "It`s a German engine" no it can`t be was response, he sent him out to the car, where I pulled the bonnet, response, "bloody hell it`s German"
                     
                    pamsdish, Jun 10, 2014
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                  • Fat Controller

                    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                    Ah, I didn't twig it was a diesel, nor one with an unusual engine for this part of the world. Tough one to call @pamsdish. Do you think you could cope with public transport?
                     
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                      Fat Controller, Jun 10, 2014
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                    • Jiffy

                      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                      Had a Opel record 2.3 diesel, and i to had problems getting parts, the parts are there but you have to find which Vauxhall cars had the parts you want, ie; fuel filter for mine was for 1600 Astra diesel, worst of all it had 2 batterys
                       
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                      • pamsdish

                        pamsdish Total Gardener

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                        Going to go to town tomorrow, I do go in on the bus if just browsing. The crunch will come with a heavy shop, looks like I will be internet shopping.
                         
                        pamsdish, Jun 10, 2014
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                      • mr c

                        mr c Gardener

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                        internet shopping with delivery ftw, afraid the car sounds a bit expensive to fix,
                        you could try the likes of migweb a car forum for vauxhall's advice on getting it fixed
                        or sell it there as its a bit unusual
                         
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                          mr c, Jun 10, 2014
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