My GTE 16V Restoration Thread.

[Astra Dan]

Small update. I managed to book a day on John's ramp to investigate the annoying fuel tank issue. I also found a spare tank in the shed! So I pitched up with the intention of simply swapping the tanks. You can just see in this pic the straight tank reataining strap and the tank curving up away from it:



Getting the tank off is fairly simple, especially on a ramp. Simply seperate the exhaust on the join behind the 'cat' and shove it out of the way. The remove the hand brake cable. Next remove the feed, return, fill and large and small breather pipes to the tank, being prepared for some spillage.
Once the tank was out, it was obvious why I couldn't fill it much over half:

Look at the top and compare it to the other tank in the background:





Behind the large filler pipe is a large diameter breather that lets the air out as you fill the tank (this is blocked off when you put the cap back on). This is welded to the inside top of the tank and is kept out of the fuel until the tank is almost totally full. As the top of the tank had been sucked down so much, this breather had been angled right down into the fuel. I'm amazed the pump was able to suck this hard and sill provide the engine with enough fuel. I have noticed no drop in performance.
Now, I obviously didn't want to simply fit the new tank only for it to be ruined, too. I checked all hoses and breathers were clear and in good condition. The only conclusion I could come to was that the pipe to the carbon cannister, or the cannister itself, has become blocked, so I've separated the pipe just after it joins and cable tied it above the tank. An earlier car without the carbon cannister would simply have this breather circle the tank at the top and it just ends, to let fumes/ expansion out, and air in when fuel is drawn out. Later on I'll extend this tube in the same way.
Amusingly, the fuel pump (which must have been having a VERY hard time!) decided to seize when I tried to re-start the car. I guess running it dry for a few seconds after sucking on the tank for months had just taken it's toll. Very kindly, John lent me his GTE Champion to get home, where I found another pump in the stores. Fitted it a few days later and it's good as gold now. The sender in the new tank works as well, which is a nice bonus!

[Benn]

No click more click probs click fillling click up click then...lol

[Rusty 16v]

Blimey, that's quite some effort by the pump lmao

[mk2astraturbo]

can i have your drive and you can have mine . you can leave the gte's on it plz

[Astra Dan]

Another tit-bit of an update.

I've un-lowered it again! I just didn't like the drive, frankly. Bit crashy, bump-steery etc. And I sold the Eibachs to a guy at work (for me to fit to his car, my old mk3!)
Spring comparison:



Whilst it was in bits I also replced both front brake hoses as they were an advise on the last MoT test.
Weirdly, today at the meet (first time it's moved in ages) I noticed it now sits level. The whole reason I lowered it in the first place was because it was sitting lower in the o/s, which I thought was due to a broken spring. Anyway, it's sorted. Of course, it meant the tracking needed checking again. Annoying more so as the steering wheel was actually straight for the first time in ages. So, not wanting to shell out another £20 and mess about going to a tyre place (who always use the specs of a 1.6 Mk3) I borrowed a set of tracking gauges from the legendary condiment man himself, pitstoppete.

First, one checks they read zero on a (reasonably) flat level surface:



Then set them onto the rim edges:



Have a kite down the little eyepiece and set the arrow onto the line:



Then read off the setting in degrees and, if you want, use the wheel to convert to millimetres. A Mk2 should toe-out 1mm, plus or minus 1mm. So I set it spot on.



Drives much better now, with just a nice firmness over bumps. Goes round corners just the same and the steering wheel is still straight! I think that's what we call a win situation.

[Benn]

Good work.

[richie00boy]

So are they the original springs back on or some OEM replacement ones?

[Astra Dan]

Original ones as far as I know. They have the typical Vauxhall paint splodge and no writing.

[richie00boy]

Freshest looking original ones I've ever seen!

[Astra Dan]

Ooh the rears weren't. I gave them a lick of Halfords finest satin black before I fitted them. They looked a little tired...

[jack_8vt]

i want a under tray for my GTE keep up the good work! red GTE`s are the ****!!!

[mitchvaux]

Nice work m8

[Astra Dan]

Thanks!


(First post from Ubuntu/ Firefox)

[Benn]

Firefox? Wa*k.

[vxlaney]

bloody hell, thats a rare item you have there mate, i havent seen an under tray on a gte for years, lol

[GTE 16v]

bloody hell, thats a rare item you have there mate, i havent seen an under tray on a gte for years, lol

Both mine and Dan's have them fitted.

[Astra Dan]

Both mine and Dan's have them fitted.

Does having them in the shed count as 'fitted'?

[Rusty 16v]

I have intimate knowledge of the thing:



Not the best picture but you have a Sharp GX30 to blame for that lmao

[Astra Dan]

Ah, good old pot 4 to water channel breach. Must be 90% of Vauxhall HG failures! Change your anti-freeze every 2-4 years people!

As said at the meet, all credit to you that it's still running sweetly 4 years and 9k miles later.

[Rusty 16v]

Not sure I deserve much credit for what was no doubt blind luck at the time, but the experience has served me well for future Astra's with coolant to pot #4 breaches lmao

[RobJenko]

Both mine and Dan's have them fitted.

Does having them in the shed count as 'fitted'?

i have one sat in my garage and i dont even own a mk2 lmao

[Benn]

i have one sat in my garage and i dont even own a mk2 lmao

You wanna sell that, they are quite rare...

[JaguarJohn]

Hi if you need a good home for it I could fit it to my Champion

[Astra Dan]

We should go get it!

[RobJenko]

i'll try get some pic's over the weekend, but im going away rallying. theres a couple of rivits missing on the side parts, one side is completely off and theres a bit of wear on the under side if i remember rightly but as far as im aware its all there.