Opel astra j what problems. Do-it-yourself routine maintenance Opel Astra J

Opel Asta J- which replaced Asta G. The car is presented in bodies: hatchback, sedan and station wagon. The maintenance schedule for all bodies is similar. For the Russian market, the Opel Astra J was presented with 4 petrol engines. Two naturally aspirated 1.4 Ecotec A14 XER, 1.6 Ecotec A16 XER and two turbocharged 1.4 Turbo Ecotec A14 NET, 1.6 Turbo Ecotec A16 LET.

This service manual for the Opel Astra J describes all petrol engines with a volume of 1.4, 1.6 liters. Also, two types of gearboxes are considered: for mechanics, the replacement schedule is every 45 thousand km, for an automatic machine every 60 thousand km. The official manual states that routine maintenance must be carried out exclusively at a service station and this procedure, as a rule, will cost extra financial costs. To be able to save money, you can do it yourself, since it is not at all difficult and this guide will help you with this. WITH

The cost of a DIY Astra J maintenance will depend only on the price of spare parts and consumables (the approximate price is indicated for the Moscow region and in US dollars at the exchange rate at the time of writing). Below is Opel Astra J maintenance schedule by terms of execution:

List of works during maintenance 1 (mileage 15 thousand km.)

1. ... The manufacturer recommends using engine oils of ACEA A3 / B4 or A3 / B3 quality level not lower than SAE viscosity grade 0W30, 0W40,. The amount of oil in the system is 1.4 Ecotec A14 XER - 3.8l, 1.4 Turbo Ecotec A14 NET - 3.7l, 1.6 Ecotec A16 XER - 5.0l, 1.6 Turbo Ecotec A16 LET 4.9l ... Fill in GM Dexos2 5W30 oil, take a 5L canister (search code 1942003) average price $ 20.
2. Replacement oil filter 5$ (0650172).
3. Checks at TO 1 and all subsequent ones:

• Accessory drive belt;
• A / C compressor drive belt;
• Timing gear belt;
• Crankcase ventilation system;
• Cooling system hoses and connections;
• Coolant;
• Exhaust system;
• Fuel lines and connections;
• Covers for joints of different angular speeds;
• Checking the technical condition of the front suspension parts;
• Checking the technical condition of the rear suspension parts;
• Tightening the threaded connections of the chassis to the body;
• Condition of tires and air pressure in them;
• Wheel alignment angles;
• Steering drive;
• Power steering system;
• Checking the free play (play) of the steering wheel;
• Hydraulic brake lines and their connections;
• , discs and drums of wheel brake mechanisms;
• Parking brake;
• Brake fluid;
• Headlight adjustment;
• Locks, hinges, hood latch, body fittings lubrication;
• Drainage holes cleaning;

List of works during maintenance 2 (mileage 30 thousand km. Or 2 years)

1. All work that is provided for maintenance 1 Opel Astra J.
2. ... Average cost from $ 8 (K1223A);
3. Replacing the air filter. For Astra, we take the General Motors filter (13272719), the average price is $ 6.5.
4. ... There are two options: Replace with original CHAMPION RC10MCC R6 candles (1214016), the cost of which fluctuates around $ 6 per piece. or replace with DENSO Iridium Power (IK16L) iridium candles all the same $ 6 per 1 piece. Please note that we are considering an A16 XER encoded engine. Judging by the reviews of motorists who made a choice in favor of DENSO candles, we can summarize, namely: the car starts up noticeably better at low temperatures, the engine feels a little softer and more elastic. And the most interesting thing is a decrease in fuel consumption, not significantly, of course, but nevertheless.

List of works during maintenance 3 (mileage 45 thousand km.)

1. All the same work that is provided for in TO 1.
2. If you have a car with a manual transmission, then this item is for you, changing the oil in this unit. Initially filled from the factory with SAE 75W-85 API GL4. Fill the manual transmission with API GL4 SAE 75W-85 or 80W90 or SAE 75W90 oil. The manufacturer recommends replacing the oil filled at the factory with SAE 75W90 gear oil if the vehicle is operated for a long time at ambient temperatures below -30 ° C. Refueling volumes: box type F13 and + MTA - 1.6l, F23 - 1.75l, M20 and M32 - 2.4l. On average, we take 2 liters of GM Getriebeoel Schaltgetriebe, two cans of 1 liter each. (1940182) average price $ 9 per liter.

List of works for maintenance 4 (mileage 60 thousand km. Or 4 years)

1. All maintenance work 1 + everything that is included in the 2nd routine maintenance of the Opel Astra J.
2. ... This item is for owners of an automatic transmission. The volume of the system is 4 liters, we recommend Gear oil GM Getriebeoel Dexron Vl 1 liter canisters. (1940184) the average price is $ 8.5 per liter.

List of works during maintenance 5 (mileage 75 thousand km.)

1. All maintenance work 1.

List of works for maintenance 6 (mileage 90 thousand km or 6 years)

1. Perform routine maintenance TO1, as well as perform everything that is provided for TO2
2. If you have a manual transmission, then change the oil in the box (see point TO 3).
3. Replace the drive belt. There are four possible options:

• dv. 1.4 NET / XER unconditioned - Gen. drive belt, 120cm (1340016) price $ 21.
• dv. 1.4 NET / XER with cond. - Gen. drive belt, 130cm (1340005) price $ 21.
• dv. 1.6 LET / XER unconditioned - Gen. drive belt, 190cm (1340280) price $ 11.

dv. 1.6 LET / XER with air cond. - original (1340019) average price ATTENTION! 83 $ !!! There is an analogue (1340275) with an average price of $ 25.

It is advisable, together with the generator drive belt, to change the tensioning belt pulley (1340267), the average price fluctuates around $ 70. But a replacement is at your discretion, if the condition of the roller is not very worn out.

1. Replacing the timing belt (0637241) price $ 32.

List of works during maintenance 7 (mileage 105 thousand km.)

1. Perform routine maintenance TO1

List of works during maintenance 8 (mileage 120 thousand km.)

1. Perform routine maintenance TO1 and TO2, and if you have an automatic transmission, then change the oil in this unit as well (see point No. 2 TO 4).

Lifetime replacements

1. Replacing the brake fluid. Replacement schedule every 2 years or 30 thousand km. run whichever comes first. TJ type DOT4 must be used. The volume of the system is just over one liter. Opel brake fluid 0.25l (1942057) price $ 3, 0.5 l (1942058) price $ 7, 1 l (1942059 or 1942422) price on average $ 12.
2. Replacing antifreeze. Original antifreeze concentrate red Long life coolant 1 l (1940663) average price $ 4.5. System capacity 5.9 liters. Replacement according to the regulations every 45,000 km or every 3 years (whichever comes first). When distilled water is added in one to one volume, it does not freeze at temperatures down to -38 ° C.

How much does it cost to Opel Astra J

Summing up how much money will be required for maintenance on the Opel Astra J, it would be correct to break it down into cars with and without air conditioning, as well as by the type of gearbox. Based on the above basic maintenance and each subsequent one for all cars (changing the engine oil and oil filter) will come out about $ 20 (oil) and $ 5 (filter) total $ 25... That is how much a five liter canister of GM Dexos2 5W30 synthetic oil costs. For 1.6-liter engines, it will come out end-to-end, since the volume of the system in them is about 5 liters. For 1.4 liter engines, about 1 liter will remain for refilling in case of need.

Second MOT the Opel Astra J modification is also similar for all, namely: basic maintenance $ 25, air filter replacement $ 6.5, cabin filter replacement $ 8, spark plug replacement $ 24, total 63.5 $.

Third TO differs from cars with automatic and mechanics. It differs in that, according to the regulations, the oil change in the gearbox on cars with manual transmission is carried out at 45 thousand km, therefore: for mechanics TO3 = TO1 + oil change in the gearbox. The result of the manual transmission = $ 43, automatic transmission = $ 25. The fourth TO is also different for the manual transmission and automatic transmission, different in that this time we change the oil in the automatic transmission, because already 60 thousand km. mileage. Therefore, for automatic transmission TO4 = TO1 + TO2 + oil change. Total TO4: manual transmission = 63.5 $ automatic transmission = 97.5$

Fifth TO is identical for all, it is equal to the basic maintenance. Total 25 $.

Sixth TO at the same time the most different and most expensive for all cars. It is very different because it matters which engine is 1.4l or 1.6l, whether or not the air conditioner is installed, since here you need to change the timing belt and drive belt, as well as possibly the tension roller. Especially owners of manual transmission will have to fork out. And so as not to describe everything possible options Let's take two cars with 1.6 LET / XER engine with air conditioning and manual transmission and automatic transmission. Total TO6 for Automatic transmission = $ 120.5 For Manual transmission = $ 138.5... It will probably cost $ 70 more if you also replace the idler pulley.

Seventh TO= TO1. Total 25 $.

Eighth TO identical with TO2 for vehicles with Manual transmission = $ 63.5 and is identical with TO4 for vehicles with Automatic transmission = 97.5 $.

These prices for routine maintenance are relevant if all work is done independently. The average cost for an oil and filter change at a service station is 500 rubles, an oil change at a gearbox is 800 rubles. Replacing candles, cabin and air filters - all for 300 rubles for one service. Replacing the drive belt 200 rubles, and replacing the timing belt as much as 3200 rubles! As you can see, if you do everything yourself, you can save a lot of money!

22.01.2018

Opel Astra J (Opel Astra) is considered one of the leaders in its segment (golf class) due to the successful combination of sizes, technical characteristics and practicality. Against the background of its famous competitors, Astra J looks more expensive and solid car, and all thanks to the streamlined design, which replaced the angular body of the previous generation model. You can talk about the advantages of this car for hours, but today we will talk about its shortcomings, or rather the reliability of this model, since this factor plays a key role in choosing a used car.

Specifications Opel Astra J

Make and type of body: C - hatchback, sedan, station wagon;

Body dimensions (L x W x H), mm - 4419 x 1814 x 1510, 4658 x 1814 x 1500, 4698 x 1814 x 1535;

Wheelbase, mm - 2658, 2685;

Ground clearance, mm - 165;

Tire size - 205/60 R16, 215/50 R17;

Volume fuel tank, l - 56;

Curb weight, kg - 1393, 1405, 1437;

Full weight, kg - 1850, 1870, 1995;

Trunk capacity, l - 370 (795), 460 (1010), 500 (1500);

Options - Enjoy, Enjoy +, Enjoy High, Enjoy Low, Essentia, Essentia Low, Cosmo, Cosmo Mid, S / S Cosmo.

Problem places and disadvantages of the Opel Astra J

Weaknesses of the body:

Paintwork- despite the fact that the painting quality is not bad, scratches and chips appear on the body quite quickly, and after 10 years of operation on a St. Petersburg car assembly, the paint may begin to swell and fall off in pieces (most often the problem occurs on 3-door hatchbacks).

Body iron- the days when Opel body, for a weak anti-corrosion coating, was not criticized only by the lazy. Today, the German company galvanizes all body parts of the car and gives them up to 12 years of warranty. Despite this, on some copies of the Russian assembly, over time, foci of rust appear on the sills, wheel arches, the trunk lid, in the lower part of the doors, as well as at the joints of the bumpers and fenders (as a rule, bugs appear after winter). Original body elements are not cheap, therefore, if damaged, they are usually restored rather than changed.

Bottom- not completely covered with a protective shock-resistant mastic, therefore, in order to prevent the appearance of corrosion, it is recommended to treat it with an anti-corrosion agent.

Windshield "Pilkington"- very soft due to which it quickly becomes covered with scratches and chips, it is worth noting that the use of hard wiper blades accelerates the process of glass wear (it is overwritten and cloudy). There are frequent cases when the glass cracked from a sharp temperature drop.

Replacing brushes- this procedure provides for the transfer of the wipers to the service mode, in order to do this, after turning off the ignition, move the mode switch lever down, after which the wipers should be in the service vertical position.

Adaptive optics AFL- this type of optics is significantly superior to the standard one in terms of illumination quality. However, it has a couple of significant drawbacks - the rapid wear of the lens drives and the failure of the regulation system (body level position sensors fail), besides, replacing such a headlight is not cheap. There are craftsmen who have learned how to restore the headlight, but there are problems with the availability of the necessary spare parts.

Common powertrain ailments

Atmospheric motors:

1,4 – this engine has earned himself a good reputation and is considered a very reliable unit, but only in the hands of calm drivers. So, for example, the timing chain drive, which the engine is equipped with, is able to serve up to 180,000 km without replacement, but if the car is operated in the "slipper to the floor" mode and save on maintenance, the chain will be asked for replacement after 80,000 km. The resource of the engine to the capital is 250-300 thousand km.

1.6 - is also a reliable naturally aspirated subcompact engine. Unlike the weaker unit, a timing belt drive is used here, but with a system for changing the valve timing on two shafts. In addition to the advantages (increased belt service life), this system has its disadvantages - phase regulator solenoid valves often fail. If there is a problem, the engine starts to diesel. The ailment is eliminated by cleaning the valves, if cleaning does not give a positive effect, the valve will have to be replaced. The motor does not have hydraulic lifters, so the valves are adjusted by selecting calibrated glasses. This procedure is recommended to be carried out once every 100,000 km of run. For trouble-free operation of the engine, it is recommended to change the oil every 10,000 km. At the same time, it is advisable to use some kind of high-quality analogue, instead of the branded oil DEXOS 2 - it contains additives that, with prolonged use, cause severe coking of the piston rings and abundant deposits inside the power unit.

1,8 - has similar problems with a weaker unit - frequent failure of the phase regulator solenoid valves, there are no hydraulic compensators. In addition, a small resource of the ignition module (70-90 thousand km) can be noted, most often the owners are faced with a malfunction, who save on spark plugs. Symptoms - the engine is troit. Oil leaks from the oil cooler are also common. The resource of the motor is 250-300 thousand km.

Turbocharged power units:

1,4 - appeared in 2010, its peculiarity is the use of a turbine on a low-volume engine. This is both an advantage of this unit and its disadvantage - the turbine resource rarely exceeds 200,000 kilometers, and its replacement will cost about $ 600-800. Despite the fact that there are few complaints about the turbine, it still has one weak point - sometimes there are malfunctions in the boost control system (the boost control valve fails). The engine is equipped with a timing chain drive, which insignificantly increases the reliability of the mechanism (chain resource 120-150 thousand km, sprockets and tensioners over 200,000 km). Unlike atmospheric power units, hydraulic lifters are present here, so there is no need to adjust the valves. The cooling pump (pump) has a limited resource of 70-90 thousand km - it starts to make noise and loses its tightness. The most serious malfunction that can be encountered during operation is burnout and piston breakage, fortunately the problem is not widespread. The reason is the use of low-quality gasoline and coking of the pistons.

1,6 - the main disadvantage of this engine is considered to be poor performance in the cooling system (insufficient fluid circulation in the block), because of this, the fourth cylinder is subject to increased load. The consequences of this problem can be burnout of the pistons and damage to the block. The engine is demanding on the quality of fuels and lubricants. If, instead of high-quality synthetics, you pour into it anyhow, the failure of the engine and crankshaft lubrication system will not be long in coming. When using high viscosity oils, there is a risk of ring sticking. We can also note the weak pistons - with increased detonation, the partitions are destroyed. If you decide to take a car with such an engine, be sure to check the condition of the piston group and do not be too lazy to do an endoscopy of the fourth cylinder. With a 170 horsepower motor, the timing chain is not famous for its reliability and can rumble after 60,000 kilometers. With proper maintenance, the resource of the motor to the capital is 200-300 thousand km.

Disadvantages are common to all gasoline internal combustion engines:

Thermostat- fails after 50-70 thousand km, if there is a problem, the fan starts to work constantly. The problem is solved by installing a more reliable thermostat from Chevrolet cruze.

Intake manifold valve- valve failure is a common problem and was found as a rule on cars produced in 2011-2012. Most often, the ailment manifested itself at low runs and was eliminated by official dealers under warranty. But when buying, you should still ask whether the specified problem has been identified and eliminated.

Oil leaks through the oil cooler, phase shifters and valve cover gasket- a common thing for engines manufactured by GM, do not be surprised or worried, the repair costs a penny.

Shuffling, clicks and other sounds- Astra motors like to make a variety of sounds so that you do not get bored, for example, a clicking sound is emitted by injectors, a shuffling sound can be emitted by an air conditioner compressor bearing.

Euro 5- to comply with these standards, the car was equipped with an electronic throttle and fuel quality-sensitive injectors. In order for these elements to serve as long as possible, they need to be periodically cleaned (at the first signs of deterioration in dynamics) and try to refuel at proven gas stations.

Disadvantages of diesel internal combustion engines:

All Opel Astra J diesel engines are equipped with a capricious fuel system Common rail, which, when using diesel fuel from a "canister", can present a lot of problems in the form of expensive repairs (replacement of nozzles, fuel injection pump, EGR and catalyst). Otherwise, the units are practically problem-free, but after 200,000 km, the two-mass flywheel and turbine will have to be replaced. The declared resource of motors is 250-350 thousand km

1.3 - A common ailment of this power unit is fluid leakage from under the thermostat. It is also worth noting the sensitivity of the motor to the quality of the oil, the use of low-quality oil leads to incorrect operation of the timing chain and the chain can jump, provoking the pistons to meet the valves.

2.0 - like gasoline engines, it has an unreliable thermostat (it can crack). Over time, problems arise with the flaps in the intake manifold. A frequent occurrence is the failure of the EGR valve.

Transmission

Mechanics- The five-speed F17 transmission was paired with naturally aspirated engines and a diesel 1.3, and is not the most successful unit. Its main problem is a weak differential and unreliable bearings of the output shaft. Buying a car with such a box can be compared to a lottery with good chances of winning, the main thing is to correctly diagnose before buying - you need to hang out the drive wheels and spin them with the motor, if the bearings have already begun to fail, a characteristic noise will be heard (you need to listen with the engine off). If you do not try to squeeze out all the juices from the car and monitor the oil level (leaks appear over time), the box can easily serve more than one hundred thousand kilometers.

M32WR- six-speed mechanics were paired with turbocharged and diesel engines. This box is more reliable, but, unfortunately, it also has problems with bearings, in fairness it should be noted that they are rare.

F40- was installed with a two-liter diesel engine - is considered the most successful box.

Automatic transmission- things are much worse with the reliability of automatic transmissions, which are a joint development of GM and Ford. A common problem with a machine gun is considered to be jerky when changing gears. Most often, servicemen associate the incorrect operation of the transmission with the imperfection of the software, and offer to replace it, but this procedure does not always solve the problem. If the problem is ignored for a long time, this will lead to the fact that the drum begins to crumble, and its fragments will gradually "kill" the sun gear of the planetary gear. Another weak point of the automatic transmission is its cooling radiator - leaks appear, this ailment, if untimely eliminated, can lead to a loss of performance of the unit as a whole. The problem is that when the radiator was depressurized, coolant leaked into the hydraulic circuit. Of the mechanical problems, a high probability of breakage of the retaining ring of the drum 4-5-6 can be noted. When the ring is torn off, the drum is damaged in almost 100% of cases, and, as a result, requires replacement. Subject to the rules of operation, the "machine" will last about 200,000 km.

Robot- it is better to avoid buying a car with this type of transmission, as it can start to mope after 60,000 kilometers. If at the beginning of the movement and sharp acceleration strong jolts or jerks are felt, it is better to refuse to purchase such a car. You should know that the resource of a robotic box is, as a rule, less than that of a conventional automatic transmission.

Weaknesses of the suspension, steering and brakes of the Opel Astra J

Opel Astra J suspension simple (in front - MacPherson, behind - Watt's mechanism) and has a good resource, but it still has a couple of weak points. The peculiarity of this suspension is that at negative temperatures it begins to emit extraneous sounds, and a detached shock absorber boot can also serve as the cause of the knock (it is necessary to install the boot in place and secure it with a clamp). Tie rod ends turned out to be the most problematic; in rare cases, they take care of more than 40,000 km. You can also note the unreliability of shock absorbers - they begin to flow after 60,000 km. On the rear axle, the rods bend from heavy loads. The rest of the suspension elements serve no worse than those of competitors.

Suspension elements resource:

• Stabilizer struts - about 30,000 km.
• Stabilizer bushings - 50-60 thousand km
• Support bearings - their resource depends on the operating conditions, for example, if you often drive on a primer and do not wash the wheel arches from the inside, the bearings will last no more than 60,000 kilometers.
• Shock absorbers - they need to be replaced without having served even 100,000 km.
• Ball joints and wheel bearings - 120-150 thousand km
• Rear beam silent blocks - 150-200 thousand km.

Steering:

Steering tips aside, the steering Opel Astra J can be called reliable, especially on versions equipped with electric power steering. For a long and trouble-free service of the rail, you need to adhere to the following recommendations - try not to ride through deep puddles, slow down speed bumps and tram tracks when moving, and prevent contacts once a year. If knocks or smudges appear on the rail, check the condition of the rail bushings. On cars of the first years of production, there were cases of failure of the steering shaft bearing. If you do not change the fluid in the power steering after 100,000 km, you will have to change the amplifier pump.

Brakes:

In the braking system, an unpleasant feature is the squeak of the brakes. Top-end versions with 18-m diameter wheels often have brake disc warpage. It is also worth noting the need for periodic maintenance of the system, if this is not done, the fingers of the rear calipers will begin to sour. If you do not use the handbrake over the years, its mechanism will begin to sour. For an electronic handbrake with AutoHold function, after 4-5 years of operation, the drive begins to fail.

Salon

The interior finishing materials of the Opel Astra J are not of high quality, which is why crickets have settled here over the years. Most often, annoying sounds come from the decorative trim on the center console, plastic trims around the windows, front seat adjustment mechanisms, and the ceiling light. Soundproofing will not please with its quality either. The Opel Astra J is equipped with a lot of electrical equipment, especially in the top-end versions, but, unfortunately, over time it gives a lot of trouble. The most common problem is periodic malfunctions in the control units of one or another equipment - seat heating, power windows, standard alarm, etc. Fortunately, most of them are solved by restarting the car. Of the more significant ailments, one can note an arbitrary reboot of all on-board equipment (the reason has not been established) and the failure of the parking sensors.

What's the bottom line?

The Opel Astra J turned out to be a predictable car in the good sense of the word. You should not expect any serious surprises from it, the main thing is to service it in a timely manner and use high-quality fuels and lubricants. The typical sores that are characteristic of this model are well known and can be treated without problems. Almost any thematic forum has a lot of information on how to fix this or that problem at minimal cost.

Astra J is the most stolen model of the Opel family, keep this in mind when choosing a car.

If you have experience in operating this car model, please tell us what problems and difficulties you had to face. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

In comparison with its predecessor, the Opel Astra J Hatchback has become larger in dimensions: length - 4419 mm (+170 mm), width - 1 814/2013 mm (+61 mm), height - 1510 mm (+50 mm). The wheelbase is 2 685 mm (+71 mm). The car's front and rear wheel track increased (+56 mm and +70 mm), which had a positive effect on the vehicle's handling and stability. The ground clearance is 160 mm. Curb weight - 1,373 kg. Carrying capacity - 497 kg. The volume of the luggage compartment is 370/795 liters. When fully loaded "to the ceiling" this figure is 1 235 liters.

In the Russian market, the 5-door hatch Opel Astra J was offered with four gasoline power units. This atmospheric engines volume of 1.4 and 1.6 liters (100 and 115 hp) and turbocharged engines 1.4 Turbo and 1.6 Turbo (140 and 180 hp). In other markets, the car was available with diesel units ranging from 1.3 to 2.0 liters (95-160 hp). The engines were combined with a 5- or 6-speed "mechanics" and a 6-speed "automatic". Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h (depending on the engine) - from 14.2 to 8.5 seconds. The maximum speed is from 178 km / h to 221 km / h. Average fuel consumption is 5.5-6.8 liters per 100 kilometers.

The 5-door Opel Astra J is built on a front-wheel drive Delta II platform with semi-independent rear and independent front suspension. The front suspension of the car is MacPherson struts. The rear suspension is a combination of a torsion beam with a Watt mechanism. The car was equipped with an adaptive FlexRide chassis, which, working in tandem with the CDC (Dynamic Suspension Control) system, is able to adjust the suspension stiffness in real time depending on road conditions. The FlexRide system has three preset modes "Standard", "Sport" and "Comfort", the activation of which changes the behavior of the suspension, power steering and accelerator pedal.

Opel Astra J was produced in Essentia, Active and Cosmo trim levels. The basic options include electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, adjustable steering column, radio with CD player, front and side airbags. All offered versions of the Opel Astra J hatchback were equipped with ABS + ESP and a standard anti-theft alarm. As an option, customers could order dual-zone climate control, adaptive headlights and an infotainment complex with a 7-inch monitor. In addition, the vehicle was optionally equipped with a blind spot monitoring system, traffic sign recognition and a parking assistant.

The Hatch Opel Astra Jay was equipped with passive and active safety systems, including body elements with programmed deformation, a rigid roll cage, frontal, side and window airbags, active head restraints and an emergency pedal release system.

The owners of the fourth generation 5-door Opel Astra J mark a worthy combination of price and quality. The car is distinguished by high-quality assembly and attractive appearance, acceptable acceleration dynamics and handling. The criticism is caused by noise insulation in the area of ​​the wheel arches: even on high-quality roads, the interior of the car is "filled" with strong noise. The brakes cause complaints: the calipers rattle so hard that they cause discomfort for passengers. When using the machine, problems arise with the electronics.

The Astra J's gearboxes weren't very lucky. Moreover, there are no complaints about the rest of the transmission elements, everything goes long and hard. Fortunately, there is only front-wheel drive and there are no additional propeller shafts and gearboxes.

The traditional Opel "trouble" in the form of a manual transmission of the F 17 series is also present on the Astra J. A five-speed gearbox with naturally aspirated 1.4 and 1.6 liter engines is just that. And the saddest thing is that with a 1.8-liter engine, it was also usually installed. This frankly problematic unit with a weak differential and very often failing secondary shaft bearings has been stubbornly put on Opel cars for twenty years. Moreover, even with 1.6 liter engines, it already often failed, and even with 1.8 liters and on heavy cars like the Vectra C. But the weight of the Astra J is the same 1,500 kg, it is a very heavy machine, even despite its size and belonging to the golf class.

By the way, the same box is paired with 1.3 liter diesel engines, which are already quite problematic.

In short, a car with such a manual transmission resembles a lottery. The chances are not so bad, most of the cars drive successfully for ten or more years without experiencing any particular problems. Especially if they monitor the oil level in the manual transmission and occasionally change it: the transmission is prone to leaks. But those who like to drag trailers, those who are rude with the clutch, like to strongly violate the speed limit on the highway, run over irregularities without slowing down the gas, and generally do not really care about the well-being of the transmission, the chances are much less. "Used" boxes are in great shortage, they are in great demand for older cars.

Replacing with another manual transmission is a dubious way out. Stronger boxes F 16 / F 18 do not fit under the hood of Astra, and the more expensive six-speed M32 is also not ideal, and even does not have a version with suitable gear ratios: it will be frankly "long" for city traffic.

When buying, it is recommended to check the manual transmission noise on the lift, for which you need to spin the wheels with the motor and drown it. If the bearings are already failing, a characteristic noise will be heard. And be sure to check the oil for metal dust. If you have any suspicions about the manual transmission, it is worth bargaining. A new box costs about 200 thousand, which looks almost unrealistic for a car with a price of 400-500 thousand rubles. A used box in good condition will cost from 20 thousand, and repair - from ten to infinity: spare parts are very expensive, and many put "used" ones in the process of restoration.

With turbocharged engines 1.4-1.6 liters and almost all diesels, a stronger six-speed M32WR was installed. Unfortunately, similar problems plague her. True, the failure rate is generally lower than that of the F 17. The gearbox feels especially good with the 1.4 turbo engines or the first 1.6 turbo, which has low torque.

With the 1.6 SIDI, especially with the 200 hp version of the GTC, everything is much more complicated. The box holds more than 280 Nm of torque much worse and is damaged more often. With a 1.7 liter diesel engine, the M 32 is also quite vulnerable.

When buying, the same check is required as for the F 17. The gearbox is a little better repairable, but in the same way used units are in good condition - in some deficit and are not cheap. However, earlier this box was installed on cars with turbocharged two-liter engines, and there it broke down much faster. So for the owners of Astra J, things are not so bad.

Only owners of cars with 2.0-liter gasoline and diesel engines were completely lucky. They are entitled to an "adult" box of the F 40 series, for which 350-400 Nm of these motors are children's toys. Unless a dual-mass flywheel will make owners fork out for something other than a new clutch.

In the photo: Opel Astra GTC (J) "2011 – present.

If you think that here, as well as at, the automatic transmission is more reliable than the manual transmission, then I am afraid that I will have to upset you. For this generation of the car, GM has become generous with a new machine of its own design. More precisely, jointly with Ford. On Ford cars, these boxes worked well, but on GM they squeeze everything that can be squeezed out of them. Especially in the boxes of the first editions. However, let's go in order.

1.6 L atmospheric engines are equipped with a GM 6T30 series automatic transmission. With 1.4 turbo engines, a 6T 40 series box was installed, and an even stronger 6T45 version was installed for the 1.6 SIDI. These automatic transmissions of the modular series and in technically repeat each other, but the younger ones have a noticeably lighter mechanical part of the box.

A characteristic feature of GM machines is the very aggressive valve body operation. If the driver likes to sink, he literally lets you rip the box apart. And most of all, the cars with the 6T30 gearbox were unlucky, it is simply not suitable for this. The 6T40 with a 1.4 liter turbo engine gets along much better, and the 6T45 with 1.6 SIDI works perfectly well. It's nice, but sometimes you can find 6T45 with a 1.4 turbo engine, moreover, "from the factory", and on cars with atmospheric engines - 6T40. But these are extremely rare options; you should not seriously expect to find such a car. Moreover, the problem of these automatic transmissions is connected not only with the power of the motors ...

First of all, we note that the box at the time of the release of Astra J was quite fresh and was constantly being improved during the entire period of its release. So there are many modifications and options for the execution of internal nodes.

Later automatic transmissions have also optimized firmware "brains", providing better safety of the mechanical part, and eliminated structural defects.

All variants of boxes have a very intense thermal regime, which naturally leads to problems in the electrical part and accelerated wear of all clutches, including the "main" one - the blocking lining of the gas turbine engine.

Well, how without obvious errors in the mechanical part? There is also a typical mechanical problem due to design. When buying and during operation, it is recommended to check the oil in the automatic transmission for level and color. The level is often measured incorrectly, which can also lead to bad consequences... In short, the oil should just drip, and not pour out of the control hole. Many unsuccessful translations of the user manual have missed this point.

And, of course, the box is sorely lacking in cooling and an external filter. The standard heat exchanger in the radiator on a number of cars is supplemented with a small external radiator numbered 52432861, but its area is also not enough for a heavy load. And yet, with normal use, the situation with him improves markedly. But in the mountains, or if you like to ride dynamically, you need a radiator twice as large in area.

Of course, the oil needs to be changed every 30-40 thousand. And it is very desirable to embed the external filter of the box into the line: like many other automatic transmissions, this one has solenoids that are very sensitive to pollution.

The main mechanical problem of 6T40 / 6T45 for early releases (until about 2011) is a breakage of the 4-5-6 drum retaining ring. After breaking off the ring, the drum is almost irreversibly damaged and requires replacement. The part itself is not too expensive, about 11-15 thousand rubles, but there can be a lot of incidental damage. After this breakdown, the car usually stands up immediately.

Subsequently, the drum was changed to a reinforced one, and the problem disappeared. Note that the new 213550BB-EM requires a new piston and a new caliper.

However, this drum is long-suffering on all boxes of the family, including the 6T30, where a part of a slightly smaller diameter is used. The problem is still in the used "wave spring" - a volumetric ring for pressing the bag. It bursts under load, and this problem cannot be solved, you can only fix it in time and not load the box to the maximum, at which the spring breaks most often.

If you ignore the appearing jerks, then the drum 213550 is damaged, and fragments can "kill" the sun gear of the planetary gear, and the entire "planet" numbered 213580 will be sent for replacement. And this is much more expensive. If you call the service on time, then everything will cost either by replacing the long-suffering drum 4-5-6, or even by installing a repair spacer on it and, of course, a new spring.

The planetary gear Output Planet of 6T40 boxes of release before 2011 is also a weak point. Later, this unit was unified with a similar part from 6T45 under the number 213584, and earlier, frequent use of the maximum engine power could lead to the destruction of the satellite gears.

Another feature of the box is the relatively intensive wear of the slide bushings due to the adopted hydraulic scheme. Pressure and load pulsations lead to their wear and tear, and therefore, even if the mechanical and hydraulic parts are in good working order, the pressure in the box is steadily dropping. This completely natural process is usually noticeably accelerated in case of problems with valve body and oil contamination. Even with normal operation of the box, for a run of 250-300 thousand, the bushings must be replaced preventively. The bushings are changed when any problems with the operation of the box and oil contamination appear.

The VFS solenoids used in this box are also very sensitive to contamination and oil temperature. The good news is they are relatively inexpensive and can even be washed with a good chance of success. The bad thing is that for most car owners who have not changed the oil, almost all of them will require replacement, like the bushings.

Black solenoids before 2011 are less reliable and withstand high temperatures less well, while the green-yellow 213420K kit is slightly more reliable and often solves jerky problems for a while. But if the oil pressure is insufficient, the GTE lining has not been replaced, the bushings are old, and the O-rings on the drums are worn out, then the repair will not last long.

Another typical problem of these boxes, which have worked with high loads, is the contamination of the Hall sensors with magnetic wear products of the box. Moreover, the turbine speed sensor can be used as a wear sensor for the "mechanics": by the amount of debris on it, the state of the unit can be seen.

Of the remaining problems, the most unpleasant is the abrasive wear of the channels of the valve body plate. There is a Sonnax kit for repairs, but installing it correctly requires extraordinary skill and therefore often does not help.

As you can imagine, these boxes are considered problematic for a reason. There is little chance of a long and happy life. The situation can be slightly improved by frequently changing the oil, using an external filter for the automatic transmission, installing a good radiator and not overloading the unit. Unfortunately, most of the owners violate these requirements in one way or another, and even the upgraded boxes after 2011 have a finite resource and very high chances for an extraordinary repair.

Not everyone knows, but another box is aggregated with a two-liter diesel engine. This is a noticeably more reliable Aisin TF 81SC. Its undoubted advantages include a reliable mechanical part, which can withstand 450 Nm as standard, and all 600 Nm abnormally.

There are also disadvantages: the box has a very sensitive to dirt and frankly capricious valve body, in which the plate itself suffers greatly from wear, and very expensive spare parts. But due to the relatively rare use on the Opel Astra, it is better to read the detailed description where this automatic transmission is widely used. There is no need to be afraid of overheating with a diesel engine on an Opel, and in this version the automatic transmission is definitely the leader in terms of reliability among all Astra J transmission options.

Motors

Talking about Opel powertrains for the twentieth time is a bit boring - I hope you have studied the relevant materials on and. In fact, the naturally aspirated engines have not changed at all, and the diesels are almost the same.

Engines A14XER, A16XER, A 18XER are the same here and with the same features. These are relatively reliable and simple motors, which, however, have a number of unpleasant weak points.

Leaking heat exchangers, capricious phase regulator valves and current phase shifters, unsuccessful thermostats, a dirty intake manifold and exhaust cracks have not gone anywhere. The chains on 1.4 liter engines and belts for 1.6 and 1.8 are not encouraging with a resource.

But cars with these motors are not troublesome, these minor troubles are solved quite reliably and inexpensively. And during the warranty period, there are usually no problems at all, up to a hundred or one and a half hundred thousand mileage, you don't have to worry too much.

If you still use non-branded Dexos II oil, which is very prone to the "oil plague" and in general does not differ in special quality, but something decent, then you can count on a quite decent resource of the piston group and the absence of a "oil oil" up to a run of 200 300 thousand kilometers.

If the engine eats up the oil, nothing terrible will happen either. A complete loss of oil pressure or global breakdowns are unlikely: the design is not only conservative, but also has a good margin of safety.

Radiator

price for original

7 093 rubles

Of the additional problems on the Astra J, only a tight layout, flaws in the seals of the cooling system and its design in general, including too closely spaced radiators and a constantly flowing expansion tank, were added. If you want to see more criticism on these engines, see the materials about and, on older cars the number of problems is noticeably greater. On the Astra J, these motors suffer only from heat exchanger leaks, but very much in old age or after serious operational disruptions - cover leaks, oil appetite and similar consequences.

Much more interesting are the new turbo engines. I would like to note right away that in terms of the mechanical part, A 14NET, A 14NEL and A 16LET almost completely repeat their ancestors of the same working volume in the person of A 14XER and A 16XER. Unless the chain resource on a 1.4-liter engine is still less than that of a naturally-aspirated engine, and you need to monitor it more carefully. But this problem is not great either: usually for the first time everything is limited to replacing the chain itself and, occasionally, the tensioner. A complete set with stars and a phase shifter changes much less often, usually with runs over 200 thousand.

A lower operating temperature (there is a 90-degree thermostat here) makes it possible to hope for a longer resource of plastic and rubber elements of the cooling system. True, for some reason, there are a lot of complaints about the pump and its body just for the A 14NET motor, often it is only enough for 60-80 thousand mileage. She not only begins to make noise, but also loses its tightness.

price for original

6 531 rubles

There are sometimes failures of the supercharging control system. Most often, the boost control valve fails, here they did with the usual vacuum drive, without any of your fashionable electronic actuators.

The resource of a turbine is usually at least 150 thousand kilometers. There is a simple KKK03 here, the cartridges for which are inexpensive and have long been mastered in repair for Volkswagen cars.

The most serious, but, fortunately, rare problem of such engines is burnout and piston breakage. They are possible when the temperature at the inlet rises to 60 degrees and above, using low-quality fuel or piston coking. Therefore, the cleanliness of the radiators and the condition of the piston must be monitored extremely carefully.

But the 180-horsepower A 16LET is an example of a less successful conversion of a naturally aspirated engine into a turbocharged one. A clear lack of performance of the cooling system - more precisely, the circulation of fluid in the block - leads to an increased load on the fourth cylinder and, as a result, to increased chances of piston burnout and block damage.

The pistons themselves are rather weak, detonation often causes breakage of the baffles or even cracks. The crankshaft and the lubrication system are also working at their limit, and the SAE 30 oil for this engine is frankly liquidish, although on the more viscous there are cases of oil scraper rings stuck due to a violation of the oil drain.

In general, this motor will ask you to fill in high-quality synthetics, and not anyhow, and better than ester and with minimal loss of additives and very careful maintenance. Regular oil does not suit him well, take this into account. By the way, only high-quality gasoline is recommended 95, and better 98-100, and you need to monitor the temperature regime in both.

When buying a car, be sure to check the condition of the piston group and do not be lazy to do an endoscopy of the fourth cylinder: the initial stage of problems is marked there by small sticks of the piston and corresponding marks on the cylinder.

And in the future, the chances of problems with the piston group remain quite high. High oil temperatures result in more frequent heat exchanger leaks. Taking into account that there is not only a catalyst, but also a turbine above it, the cost of repairs slightly increases. The motor itself, unfortunately, has a small boost margin. To achieve decent power and a torque of more than 300 Nm, it is necessary to change the oil pump and reinforce the cylinder block with a plate at the bottom. Yet the original design was designed for half the load, and ignoring these restrictions leads to dire consequences. Usually, the lubrication of a part of the crankshaft journals is disrupted due to curvature, and then - where the curve will take.

The turbine here is a regular KKK03, as well as on a 1.4-liter engine. It is not recommended to set KKK04 due to the restrictions described above. But in general, don't be intimidated. The motor is very inexpensive in design, well understood and well known. And even if its 180 forces are in fact not more cheerful than 122-140 forces from a 1.4 engine from another manufacturer of downsized motors, but a car with such an engine drives briskly. And with careful operation, it is quite possible to count on 200 thousand trouble-free mileage.

Timing kit 1.6 / 1.8 16v

price for original

8 329 rubles

Here are the A16XHT motors, they are 1.6 SIDI, this is a completely different calico. Despite the lower power (there is "only" 170 forces in the initial version), the cylinder block, crankshaft and power system are clearly designed for a noticeably greater load. In practice, this means that without much intervention in the hardware, more than 300 Nm of torque can be obtained from it, and the standard version has a good safety margin. Even balancer shafts have been added and the motor is completely vibration-free.

Direct injection gives it a reduced sensitivity to the octane number of fuel, the engine runs at "just 95" and does not find fault.

And now fly in the ointment. Unsuccessful piston material is very sensitive to detonation: pistons crack, and it is good if it does not damage the cylinder block. Detonation is still often managed to get when the fuel equipment breaks down, dirty radiators and intercoolers: the turbine blows here for real, and direct injection is very sensitive to fuel contamination and the quality and condition of filters and, as a result, to contamination of injectors. Moreover, a change in the shape of the injection torch can lead to increased wear of the cylinder and piston rings.

It is possible to ruin an expensive high-pressure fuel pump with unsuccessful gasoline, and the coarse filter on the pump in the gas tank is often clogged here and cuts off the fuel supply.

In cars until 2013, the standard firmware is unsuccessful, it does not take into account possible violations in the operation of the fuel equipment and the fact that we have especially smart drivers pouring "pure 92nd" gasoline. And therefore the pistons "fly" with it regularly, so it is recommended to update to the latest software version.

Carbon formation on the pistons and valves of the engine is simply creepy, it requires regular mowing every 30 thousand km. Well, or installing a methanol injection system, which helps very well.

The chain has a very small resource, often stretching to a mileage of 60 thousand to such an extent that it starts knocking on the motor cover. It's good that at least it doesn't fly off.

In general, the motor is still very "raw", although it has potential. With forged pistons and good tuning, German companies do not hesitate to remove up to 300 hp from it, but I'm afraid this fact will not help "the guys from our yard", and in the standard version this engine remains a risky option with high potential.

Summary

Astra J is a very good car. Especially if you are lucky and you did not choose the initially problematic option. You know, here a step to the right, a step to the left - and now ... Typically, this is only after a run of one hundred to one and a half thousand kilometers, but the age of the car is already quite sufficient for such a run to be considered normal.

In general, everything is fine, but atmospheric engines rely on very unsuccessful manual transmissions and hardly more reliable automatic machines, which, although they were finalized after 2011, did not completely eliminate the shortcomings.

Powerful 1.6 liter supercharged engines are generally a minefield. Of course, you can put an automatic transmission 6T40 with atmospheric 1.8, modify the supercharged 1.6 by installing a new forged piston ... But for this reason, the model does not have as many fans as it could be. Choose a car wisely, check the weak points, and it will delight you with a low operating cost.

Would you buy a used Opel Astra J?

Now in the secondary market you can find a fairly large number of Opel Astra J models at an affordable price. For example, a 2011-2013 five-door hatchback 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 Astra is a C-class car, that is, a higher class, and outwardly pretty, in the cabin there is soft plastic and many different bells and whistles. What's the matter, why is the price tag for Opel too low?

In this article, we will talk about common problems, malfunctions, weak points of this model and figure out why the prices for Astra J are at the Solaris level.

Engines

The line of engines consists of naturally aspirated 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 aspirated internal combustion engine is the 1.6-liter 115-horsepower A 16 XER. A less popular version of the A14 XER, 1.4, 100 hp.

They were equipped with a 5-speed manual F17, and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.4-liter A14 XER is mechanically 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 the 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 a gun, the consumption will be higher, and if you drive dynamically, it can be 13-15 liters.

About turbo engines

Engine 1.4 (A 14 NET) 140 hp, torque 200 Newton meters at 1850 - 4900 rpm. It was completed with a 6-speed M32 mechanics and a 6-speed automatic.

Of the advantages, 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 km of track. In practice, not less - 9.6-10 liters.

Of the minuses: the turbocharger fails, on average, 100,000 km. Someone earlier, someone later. You can't guess here. The work on replacing the turbine from official dealers is estimated at 3,000 rubles, and the original complete part costs 50,000 rubles, but you can buy an unoriginal one from Garret for 32,000 rubles.

New turbocharger 1.4 A 14 NET. Read about the operating rules

Another disadvantage is piston destruction. Symptoms of this breakdown: enhanced oil burner, from 0.5 to 1-2 liters of oil per 300-350 km of run, as well as the appearance of vibrations or triplet.

The problem can only be identified by “opening” the engine.

General Motors says: "When using low-quality gasoline, detonation occurs, which leads to breakage of the piston rings and their baffles - 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.

Gear boxes

The five-speed F17 has a design feature: the first and second speeds on a cold engine can be switched on with difficulty. And this is quite normal. This is due to the design of the synchronizers.

The M32 six-speed gearbox, which is only available with turbocharged engines, shifts smoothly and smoothly at all speeds. Among 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 GM automatic Hydra-Matic (6T30E, 6T40E, 6T45E) is a classic torque converter and at first glance seems to be problem-free, but in practice it is not.

In particular, at various runs, the hydraulic unit may fail, the gears break, the oil cooler tubes leak, the planetary gear wears out, and so on. Problems are usually solved by replacing the automatic transmission, or by overhauling. The cost is approximately 70-100 thousand rubles.

So when buying, be sure to diagnose this unit, preferably from a dealer. And it is important to periodically make a partial replacement every 50-60 thousand transmission oil Dexron VI.

Cooling system

The thermostat is an obvious weak point in the Astra J. When the cooling fan starts to spin constantly and a service request is displayed on the dashboard, it means it's time to change the thermostat.

Usually, owners purchase in a metal case from a Chevrolet Cruze and after replacement do not experience such a problem. The cost is about 4000 rubles.
As a rule, such a breakdown occurs at a mileage of 20 to 50,000 km, regardless of the engine model.

In addition, on Astrakh, there is a problem with the pump, which passes the coolant. Solved by replacement.

New and old water pump

On runs of 80-90,000 km, replacement of the heat exchanger gaskets is required. motor oil in antifreeze. If you replace them during the time, then 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 noticed that the antifreeze has turned dark in the expansion tank, it is most likely that oil gets into 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 less than half a year later and carry out the same work again.

Suspension and steering Aster J no special problems. But if there is a knock from behind, then most likely it is the rear calipers knocking. This is a design feature of models produced before 2013-2014. Restyled cars were fitted with modified caliper and guide brackets, which do not emit extraneous knocks when driving over bumps.

The knock 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 ailments 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 Cosmo version with additional options.

4) Excellent handling. The speed at 140 km / h is not felt. Holds the road perfectly.

5) Moderately soft and not stiff suspension.

6) Rich configurations - the basic version already has 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 merits and demerits. Any car needs to be monitored and looked after. Whichever car you choose, always carefully check its technical component yourself, or with a competent master in a specialized service.