Astra mk3 Arctic 3.0 V6 + F28 with Quaife

[Mr.Negative]

I do actually enjoy taking my cars for their MOT for the most part, if you go to a garage that actually appreciates the cars and work you've put in that is (not all garages are the same obviously!).

Glad to hear it passed..... taking my daily in about 1/2 hour for it's MOT too (wish me luck!).

 

[harvey]

Totally agree with you there, my MOT man commented on how neat I'd done the break pipes and was amazed I'd got the Vectra B ABS working. Makes you feel all warm and cuddly inside. Best of luck sir with your vehicle "exam"

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Well done on the MOT

 

[harvey]

Removed the headlight level switch yesterday and replaced it with a blank from a Cavalier/Calibra. The aftermarket headlights don’t have motors so pointless having the switch fitted.







Oil change today so got the car raised and checked things underside before dropping the oil and fitting a new oil filter.





Thought I’d check the pollen filter as it’s been a couple of years and having a genuine spare in stock I had no excuse not to change it.







Make sure on refitting you slide the removable panel under the lip of the scuttle otherwise water will get under it and you’ll have a wet pollen filter and steamed up windows.



All in all an enjoyable few hours tinkering with the loud and brash mk3 V6. Popping down to Vaux Fest next Sunday so come and say hi.

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Good work mate I need to get a blank for mine, I've completely removed the headlight level wiring from the car now so it does absolutely nothing, and never will again lol.

 

[djwilde69]

Once I got the zkw lights mine won't too, it's quite shocking how many people done change the pollen filter when it takes less than 2 mins

 

[Kev_mk3]

Once I got the zkw lights mine won't too, it's quite shocking how many people done change the pollen filter when it takes less than 2 mins

I generally don't run one

 

[harvey]

I had planned on popping the mk3 on the rolling road last week but on route it ran lumpy with a misfire so being over halfway there I continued and found no.1 exhaust manifold pipe was cold. I limped back home on 5 cylinders and with further checking found the DIS pack was not firing no.1. Fast forward to yesterday as a genuine new old stock early DIS pack for £22 was sourced from a well-known auction site. It was promptly installed and works lovely.



Having got the misfire resolved I was booked in at my local rolling road today so popped over to DynoTech who are part of the AutoTech Group in Ripley Derbyshire, only 5 miles down the road from me.



The car was promptly popped onto the rollers and a power run/health check was completed. Thanks go to Kevin for looking after the old girl on the rollers.



The scores on the doors were 226bhp 196lbft on the stock Vectra B management. We also ran with the aircon on for my own curiosity and got 222bhp, I can live with a 4bhp drop in power when you have the coolness of aircon for the hot weather.



I’m very happy with the figures and know if I wanted I could get more with a Super Chips map but honestly, the car feels lovely to drive and hasn’t thrown any wobbles running on the standard out of the factory ECU and map so I’ll just leave it as it is……for now

 

[Joycey]

Glad to see this is still around

 

[harvey]

As the mk3 is still in its Winter hibernation she still got a treat today as I found a pair of Magneti Marelli boot struts, part no.GS0076 going very cheap. These are much like the OE Stabilus version and have the extra damping before they reach full opening. It had a cheap pair on prior to this which just flung the boot hatch open at warp speed with no damping at all. Fitted, tested, job done.

 

[Andy_Mk3]

Very nice. I think my struts are getting lazy. Good to know these exist as like you say the chap ones are brutal with no damping.

 

[harvey]

The mk3 is back on the road again for this year and last weekend rocked over a whopping 60K, it’s doing alright for a 22 year old motor. I’ve not had the opportunity to drive it yet as every time we go out in it the wife keeps saying she’s driving, yes it’s her car but I want a go life’s just not fair sometimes.

 

[harvey]

Not updated this diary for a while but unfortunately I’ve got nothing exciting to report. Attended VBOA at Sywell with both of the wife's cars (Vectra VXR Estate now sold) and the Astra passed its MOT last Sat having covered just over 500 miles for the year. I've only driven the mk3 to the MOT and back this year but it was an enjoyable couple of miles. Plans are underway to tone down the exhaust as it's too loud and drones, we're getting old and want something a little more comfy on the ear drums. I also plan on digging out my mk2/mk3 LCD hybrid dash conversion and making progress as it's been on the back burner for way too long.

 

[Kev_mk3]

I do love this car so clean

 

[harvey]

Mainly as we just don't use it, lol. Thanks man, appreciate your kind comments.

 

[Kev_mk3]

Mainly as we just don't use it, lol. Thanks man, appreciate your kind comments.

Use it more than I use mine

 

[harvey]

Broke the mk3 out of Winter hibernation early January, it fired up with no dramas before going back to bed until Summer. I did however notice some very minor surface rust appearing to the front of the front nearside strut to inner arch join so I’ll get that sorted sharpish as it’s the only rust on the whole vehicle.

The painted exhaust tips worked for a while but alas, they have now seen better days so the rear box got removed last weekend.

The tips are now fully removable as of today thanks to PD Gough – exhaust manufactures who made the system for the mk3 5 years ago, how time flies!

Have no fear people as I have a cunning plan underway after having a chat with B & B Precision at Race Retro last Saturday. I’ll update soon…

 

[harvey]

I’ve now stripped the paint from the tailpipes using a brass brush drill attachment then refitted the rear box to check bumper clearances.

Please to say everything is perfect and the rear box is much easier to fit without the tailpipes.

Looks a bit weird without them fitted and I’m sure it would melt everything so I’ll use a splosh of Loctite when doing the final fit.

 

[harvey]

Dug the mk3 from its slumber under the car cover and changed the brake fluid as it’s been just over four years since it was last done, shame on me.

Bit of a disaster as my Eezibleed decided the reservoir cap seal would wee fluid while I was bleeding the rear brakes. The fluid reacted with the nice satin black rattle can finish on the servo so my work on the mk3 was slightly extended.

All sorted now with a fresh lick of paint for the servo and brakes bled using a different reservoir cap seal.

Next was to sort the surface rust I spotted in February on the front of the front nearside strut. Cleaned it up and popped some Kurust on as it wasn’t at all bad. It went black as it should so I knew it had done the job intended.

The following day I used a cotton bud and touched up the area to make it look a little neater. You can’t see it with the bits and pieces in the way around that area but at least I know it’s now sorted.

Last but not least was to investigate the slow front passenger electric window which turned out to need fresh lithium grease on the mechanism, a slight realignment of the door inner skin slider and a smear of silicon grease on the top of the window seal which had worn through the nice felt finish down to rubber.

Rather enjoyed my (frustrating brake bleeding) time working on the mk3. It’s only covered 271 miles since this time last year so let’s just hope we get to drive it again soon.

 

[Justin46SA]

This Astra looks amazing.
Like the Astra side inner door still scuff plate.