Opel Astra J with mileage: not quite successful boxes and completely unsuccessful engines. It looks suspicious, but you can take it - Opel Astra J What to do if the operation of the crankcase ventilation system is disrupted

In 2010, GM, inspired by the idea of ​​downsizing, released its next engine. With a 1.4-liter volume, thanks to a low-pressure turbine (about 0.5 bar), a power of 140 hp was removed. This power unit is known under the designation A14NET in the Opel model range, and under the LUJ index among Chevrolet models. The 120 hp versions of this engine are designated A14NEL and LUH respectively.

The 1.4-liter GM turbo engine is widely distributed not only in Europe, but also in the CIS countries, as well as overseas - in the USA. Thanks to the "passing" working volume, cars with a 1.4 Turbo engine are gradually arriving in the states of the customs union. In this case, we are talking not only about compact Opel models, but also about Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Encore, purchased in the USA.

Motor problems 1.4Turbo (A14NET/LUJ). Ventilation of crankcase gases

This engine generally does not cause serious problems, but it has some congenital "sores" that have been recognized by the manufacturer. During the warranty period, these problems were fixed free of charge, but most often they manifested themselves after the warranty period.

The crankcase ventilation system delivers special troubles. As with any turbo engine, engineers had to resort to certain tricks to implement it. But practice has shown that the quality of the implementation of these tricks is lame. In fact, 100% of the A14NET / LUJ engines encountered malfunctions in the crankcase ventilation (CVG) system.

All three components of the VCG system fail:

• diaphragm located directly in the plastic valve cover;
• check valve in the plastic intake manifold;
• corrugated hose from the intake manifold to the turbine.

Usually problems happen with the first two nodes of the VCG system.

Signs of problems with the VKG system of the 1.4 Turbo engine (A14NET / LUJ) are:

• increased consumption oil (oil burns in the cylinders or in the exhaust manifold, seeping through the turbine cartridge or will go out through the seals and / or through the valve cover);
• smoky exhaust;
• hissing sound in the engine compartment (bleeding sound);
• floating speed or engine tripping;
• reduction in engine power;
• increased fuel consumption;
• computer diagnostics will show the following errors: P0106, P0171, P0299, P0507, P1101, P2096 (they indicate a lean mixture or a difference in the calculated and actual air consumption);
• indirect sign: the impossibility of unscrewing the oil filler cap, or after unscrewing it or removing the oil dipstick, the engine speed starts to float.

Due to the failure of one or another component of the system, the pressure in the crankcase and in the cavity of the valve cover will greatly increase under the action of the air pressurized by the turbine. Ignore problems with the VCG system can not be: incorrect mixture formation and detonation occur, oil is squeezed out and shaft seals wear out, the catalyst is clogged, spark plugs fail. Due to the high pressure in the crankcase, the oil from the turbine cartridge stops flowing into it and is instead squeezed out into the turbine or compressor part.

What to do if the operation of the crankcase ventilation system is disrupted?

First you need to make sure that the malfunctions really concern the VCG system. To do this, we do the following:

• open the hood and remove the decorative cover from the motor;
• on the driver's side on the plastic valve cover we see a round casting (see photo below);
• there is a rubber diaphragm-regulator of the VKG system in the casting;
• if it is destroyed / torn, then when the motor is running, air is sucked through the hole, simultaneously making a whistling sound. This whistle stops if you plug this hole with your finger. In this case, the engine speed may begin to "float", the vibration will increase.

This casting contains the rubber diaphragm of the crankcase ventilation system. When the diaphragm is destroyed, air is sucked in through this hole (in some cases, crankcase gases are blown out from here).

Regardless of whether you are convinced that the diaphragm is working, you need to check one more element of the VCG system. The engine must be turned off. Then you need to find the place where the corrugated hose connects to the plastic intake manifold. The hose must be disconnected by first removing the bracket fixing it.

At this point, crankcase gases enter the intake manifold and, through a hose, into the intake tract before the turbine. Thus, crankcase ventilation is ensured. The valves block the backflow of gases from the intake tract (where, due to boost, the pressure is almost always high and there is no vacuum, as in an atmospheric engine) back into the crankcase.

After disconnecting the hose, you need to look into the hole in the intake manifold. The “nipple” of the mushroom valve should be visible there. It is clearly visible by its bright orange or red color. In some cases, you may need a cotton swab, soaked in solvent: Use it to feel and lightly clean the valve to make sure it is present. If the valve cannot be detected either visually or with a stick, then it simply does not exist. The fact is that the valve simply rips off the seat, after which it flies somewhere along the hose towards the turbine.

The mushroom valve of the VCG system must be present in the intake manifold.

The next step is to check the patency of the entire hose and the operability of the second valve located at the point where the hose is attached to the intake tract near the turbine. It is necessary to blow into the hose - while the air must pass freely. And then you need to “breathe” from the hose - while the air from it (i.e. in the opposite direction) should not pass. Often the hose simply cracks, which causes air leakage. If none of this happens, the entire hose must be replaced.

To solve problems with the VCG system, you have to change the plastic valve cover (there are already offers for used ear covers with a rebuilt diaphragm), the plastic intake manifold (because the non-return valve located in it is not supplied separately) and the hose with the second valve.

Problems with the turbine 1.4Turbo (A14NET/LUJ)

The turbine of the 1.4-liter GM engine does not die on its own. Its resource can be greatly reduced due to the described problems with the crankcase ventilation system. Beginning lubrication problems and possible back pressure in the exhaust manifold negatively affect the operating conditions of the shaft support bearings.

One specific problem with the turbine of the 1.4 Turbo engine (A14NET / LUJ) was acknowledged by the manufacturer. The problem is that the return spring of the actuator that controls the internal bypass valve of the turbine weakens over time and does not do its job well. Because of this, more and more exhaust gases slip past the turbine wheel in medium and high load modes, designed to spin the turbine impeller. The responses of the motor and its power as a whole are reduced, an “error” P0299 (low turbine pressure) may be recorded.

The actuator, as conceived by the manufacturer, cannot be replaced separately. However, there are already offers of non-original actuators. But its installation must be entrusted to specialists, since adjustment and a special approach to mounting the actuator stem to the valve are required.

Turbocharger engine 1.4 Turbo (A14NET / LUJ). The photo clearly shows the internal bypass valve and its actuator.

Destruction of engine pistons 1.4Turbo (A14NET/LUJ)

The saddest and most common problem with a small GM turbo engine is the destruction of its pistons, the partitions between the compression rings.

The problem is known for cars operated in America and in the CIS countries. Most often found on cars 2010-2013 of release. Pistons can be destroyed both at a run of 20,000 km, and at a run far beyond 100,000 km.

The manufacturer does not report the exact reasons for the destruction of the pistons, but it is not difficult to determine them:

• the destruction of the pistons occurs due to detonation, which occurs when using low-quality fuel. This reason also covers "chip" engines, where, due to the increased pressure in the combustion chambers, detonation can also occur when operating on fairly high-quality fuel;
• malfunction of the crankcase ventilation system, causing improper mixture formation (too lean mixture).

The destruction of the pistons of the 1.4 Turbo engine (A14NET / LUJ) occurs due to detonation that occurs when working on low-quality low-octane fuel or with the wrong composition air-fuel mixtures.

Where to buy contract engine 1.4 Turbo (A14NET / LUJ)?

The Opel / Chevrolet / GM 1.4 Turbo (A14NET / LUJ) engine can be bought from the warehouse of the company Ravto.by, which has its own site in North America. In the USA, Ravto.by independently dismantles cars for spare parts and sends the parts to warehouses in Minsk and Moscow. For every detail and, especially, for the engine, Ravto.by stores and transmits to the client information about the actual mileage.

What is very important when buying an engine or automatic transmission, the mileage on power units and transmissions from the USA is an order of magnitude less than on European ones. In addition, motors taken from American cars have a minimum number of engine hours due to less stressful and devoid of traffic jams. traffic. The Ravto.by site is located in the south of the United States and dismantles cars from this warm and not densely populated region.

Evgeny Dudarev
website

Contacts in Minsk
+375 29 239 29 39 MTS
+375 29 119 29 39 Velcom
+375 29 125 12 12 Velcom

Contacts in Moscow
+7 925 299 94 38 (wholesale)
+7 915 269 27 37
+7 965 177 32 23

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

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

Engines

The range of engines consists of atmospheric and turbocharged gasoline engines. It is for Russian market. Diesel units are also available for Europe, but today we will talk exclusively about versions for Russia.

The most popular internal combustion engine among aspirators is the 1.6-liter 115-horsepower A 16 XER. A less popular version of the A14 XER, with a volume of 1.4, with a capacity of 100 forces.

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

About turbo engines

Engine 1.4 (A 14 NET) 140 hp, 200 Nm torque at 1850-4900 rpm. It was equipped with a 6-speed M32 manual and a 6-speed automatic.

Of the pluses, 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 kilometers. In practice, no less - 9.6-10 liters.

Of the minuses: the turbocharger fails, on average, per 100,000 kilometers. Some earlier, some later. You can't guess here. Work to replace the turbine from official dealers is estimated at 3,000 rubles, and the original assembly part costs 50,000 rubles, but you can also buy a non-original one from Garret for 32,000 rubles.

New turbocharger for 1.4 A 14 NET. Read about the rules of operation

Another disadvantage is the destruction of the pistons. Symptoms of this breakdown: increased oil consumption, from 0.5 to 1-2 liters of oil per 300-350 km, as well as the appearance of vibrations or tripling.

You can identify the problem only by "opening" the engine.

According to General Motors: “when using low-quality gasoline, detonation occurs, which leads to breakage of the piston rings and their partitions - 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.

Gearboxes

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

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

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

So when buying, be sure to diagnose this unit, preferably at the dealer. And it is important to periodically replace Dexron VI gear oil every 50-60 thousand.

Cooling system

The thermostat is an obvious weak point in the Astra J. When the cooling fan starts spinning constantly and the requirement for maintenance is displayed on the dashboard, it means that it's time to change the thermostat.

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

In addition, Astra has a problem with a pump that lets coolant through. Solved by replacing .

New and old water pump

On runs of 80-90,000 km, replacement of heat exchanger gaskets is required, which allow engine oil to pass into antifreeze. If you replace them in time, 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 notice that the antifreeze in the expansion tank has become dark in color, it is most likely that the oil enters 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 in less than half a year and do the same work again.

With suspension and steering Astra J has no particular problems. But if there is a knock from the rear, then most likely it is the rear calipers knocking. This design feature models produced before 2013-2014. Modified caliper brackets and guides were installed on restyled cars, which do not emit extraneous knocks when driving over bumps.

The sound 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 sores 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 version of Cosmo with additional options.

4) Excellent handling. Speed ​​at 140 km / h is not felt. Road holding is excellent.

5) Moderately soft and not hard suspension.

6) Rich equipment - already in the basic version there are 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 advantages and disadvantages. Every car needs to be looked after and taken care of. Whatever car you choose, always carefully check its technical component yourself, or with a competent master in a specialized service.

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 size, performance and practicality. Against the background of its eminent 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 when choosing a used car.

Specifications Opel Astra J

Brand and body type: 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;

Fuel tank volume, l - 56;

Curb weight, kg - 1393, 1405, 1437;

Gross 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 areas and disadvantages of the Opel Astra J

Body weaknesses:

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

body iron- the times have already passed when Opel bodies, for a weak anti-corrosion coating, were not criticized only by the lazy. To date, 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, pockets of rust appear on the thresholds, wheel arches, trunk lid, at the bottom of the doors, as well as at the junctions of bumpers and wings (as a rule, bugs appear after winter). Original body parts are not cheap, therefore, if they are damaged, they are usually restored rather than changed.

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

Pilkington windshield- very soft, which is why 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 (rubbed and cloudy). It is not uncommon for glass to crack due to a sharp temperature drop.

Brush replacement- this procedure involves switching the wipers to the service mode, 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 significantly exceeds the standard one in terms of lighting quality. However, it has a couple of significant drawbacks - the rapid wear of lens drives and the failure of the control system (body level position sensors fail), in addition, replacing such a headlight is expensive. There are craftsmen who have learned how to restore the headlight, but there are problems with the availability of the necessary spare parts.

Common ailments of power units

Atmospheric motors:

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

1.6 - It is also a reliable atmospheric small-capacity engine. Unlike a weaker unit, a timing belt drive is used here, but with a variable valve timing system on two shafts. In addition to the advantages (increase in the service life of the belt), this system has its drawbacks - the solenoid valves of the phase regulator often fail. If there is a problem, the engine starts to diesel. The disease 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 every 100,000 km. For trouble-free operation of the engine, it is recommended to change the oil every 10,000 km. In this case, it is advisable to use some kind of high-quality analogue, instead of branded DEXOS 2 oil - it contains additives that, with prolonged use, cause hard coking of the piston rings and heavy deposits inside the power unit.

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

Turbocharged powertrains:

1,4 - appeared in 2010, its feature 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 USD. Despite the fact that there are few complaints about the turbine, it still has one weak point - sometimes there are failures in the boost control system (the boost control valve fails). The engine is equipped with a timing chain drive, which slightly increases the reliability of the mechanism (chain life 120-150 thousand km, sprockets and tensioners more than 200,000 km). Unlike atmospheric power units, hydraulic compensators 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 tightness. The most serious malfunction that can be encountered during operation is burnout and piston breakdown, 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, it is poured into it anyhow, the failure of the engine lubrication system and the crankshaft will not be long in coming. When using high viscosity oil, there is a risk of ring sticking. You can also note weak pistons - with increased detonation, 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. In a 170-horsepower engine, the timing chain is not famous for its reliability and can rumble after 60,000 kilometers. With proper maintenance, the engine resource to the capital is 200-300 thousand km.

Disadvantages are common to all gasoline ICEs:

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 the Chevrolet Cruze.

valve in intake manifold- valve failure is a common problem and was usually encountered on cars manufactured in 2011-2012. Most often, the disease manifested itself on small runs and was eliminated by official dealers under warranty. But when buying, you should still ask if the indicated problem has been identified and eliminated.

Oil leaks through oil cooler, phase shifters and valve cover gasket- a common thing for GM engines, do not be surprised and do not worry, repairs cost a penny.

Strumming, clicking and other sounds- Astra motors like to make a variety of sounds so that you do not get bored, for example, nozzles make a clicking sound, an air conditioning compressor bearing can make screeching sounds.

Euro 5- to meet these standards, cars were equipped with an electronic throttle and fuel-sensitive nozzles. In order for these elements to last as long as possible, they must be periodically cleaned (at the first sign of a deterioration in dynamics) and try to refuel at proven gas stations.

Disadvantages of diesel engines:

All Opel Astra J diesel engines are equipped with a capricious Common Rail fuel system, which, when using diesel fuel from a “canister”, can present many problems in the form of expensive repairs (replacement of injectors, injection pump, EGR and catalyst). Otherwise, the units are practically trouble-free, but after 200,000 km, the dual-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 considered to be fluid leakage from under the thermostat. It is also worth noting the sensitivity of the motor to oil quality, the use of low-quality oil leads to improper operation of the timing chain and the chain can jump over, causing the pistons to meet the valves.

2.0 - like gasoline engines, it has an unreliable thermostat (may crack). Over time, there are problems with the flaps in the intake manifold. A common occurrence is the failure of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.

Transmission

Mechanics- a five-speed transmission F17 was installed in tandem with atmospheric engines and diesel 1.3, and is not the most successful unit. Its main problem is a weak differential and unreliable output shaft bearings. 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, you will hear a characteristic noise (you need to listen when the engine is off). If you don’t try to squeeze all the juices out of the car and monitor the oil level (leaks appear over time), the box can last more than one hundred thousand kilometers without problems.

M32WR- A six-speed manual was 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- installed with a two-liter diesel engine - is considered the most successful box.

automatic transmission- far worse is the reliability of automatic transmissions, which are a joint development of GM and Ford. A common problem with the machine is jerking when shifting 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 will begin to crumble, and its fragments will gradually "kill" the sun gear of the planetary gear. Another weak point Automatic transmission is its cooling radiator - leaks appear, this ailment, if untimely eliminated, can lead to 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 4-5-6 drum can be noted. When the ring is broken, 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 strong shocks or jerks are felt at the beginning of the movement and sharp acceleration, it is better to refuse to purchase such a car. Know that the resource of a robotic box is usually less than that of a conventional automatic transmission.

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

Suspension Opel Astra J simple (front - MacPherson, back - Watt mechanism) and has a good resource, but it still has a couple of weak points. The peculiarity of this suspension is that at low temperatures it starts to make extraneous sounds, and a detached shock absorber boot can also be the cause of knocking (it is necessary to install the boot in place and secure it with a clamp). The most problematic were the tie rod ends, in rare cases they nursed more than 40,000 km. You can also note the unreliability of shock absorbers - they begin to flow after 60,000 km of run. On the rear axle, traction bends from heavy loads. The rest of the suspension elements serve no worse than those of competitors.

Resource suspension elements:

• Stabilizer struts - about 30,000 km.
• Stabilizer bushings - 50-60 thousand km
• Thrust 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 - require replacement without having served even 100,000 km.
• Ball bearings and wheel bearings - 120-150 thousand km
• Silent blocks of the rear beam - 150-200 thousand km.

Steering:

If you do not take into account the steering tips, then 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 drive through deep puddles, slow down when crossing speed bumps and tram tracks, and once a year carry out contact prevention. If there are knocks or smudges 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 booster pump.

Brakes:

In the brake system, an unpleasant feature is the squeak of the brakes. In top versions with 18-m diameter wheels, cases of warping of the brake disc are not uncommon. 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 start to turn sour. If you do not use the handbrake over the years, its mechanism will begin to turn sour. With an electronic hand brake with the AutoHold function, after 4-5 years of operation, the drive begins to fail.

Salon

The finishing materials of the Opel Astra J interior are not of high quality, because of this, crickets settle here over the years. Most often, annoying sounds come from a decorative trim on the center console, plastic trim around the windows, front seat adjustment mechanisms, and a ceiling lamp. Not pleased with its quality and sound insulation. Opel Astra J equipped with big amount electrical equipment, especially in top versions, but, unfortunately, over time it causes a lot of trouble. The most common problem is periodic failures in the operation of control units of one or another equipment - seat heating, power windows, standard alarms, 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 parking sensors.

What is the result?

Opel Astra J turned out to be a predictable car in the best sense of the word. You should not expect any serious surprises from him, the main thing is to service him in a timely manner and use high-quality fuels and lubricants. Typical sores that are characteristic of this model are well known and are treated without problems. Almost any thematic forum has a lot of information on how to fix a particular problem with 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 review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.

Opel Astra J is the "star" of the golf class. This model is one of the most popular in the automotive market. Attracts the attention of buyers with beautiful appearance and good technical specifications. The car has become the most successful in its class.

The model was first introduced almost ten years ago. It became available to motorists a year after release. A little later, a sports version of the hatchback and a sedan appeared.

Opel Astra J differs significantly from the cars of this brand. She has an unconventional design, an attractive and comfortable interior, excellent safety and excellent handling. The model was created using advanced technologies. It keeps well on the road thanks to a new wheelbase, increased track distance and a successful rear suspension design. Assembly Opel Astra 2009–2016 release was carried out at the Polish, German, English and Russian factories.

During the operation of the car, its advantages and disadvantages, weaknesses and disadvantages were identified. We will talk about them in more detail later.

The main advantages of the 4th generation Opel Astra (J)

• Galvanized body;
• Reliable power units;
• Hardy manual transmission and hodovka;
• Small fuel consumption.

Galvanized body

Most Opel brand models are not famous for corrosion resistance. The manufacturer took this drawback into account and tried to eliminate it when creating the Opel Astra J. He galvanized the car body, which became its important advantage. Provides a twelve year warranty. Despite the fact that the body does not rot, as before, it is necessary to pay attention to the most vulnerable places when buying - thresholds, wheel arches and the luggage compartment.

Reliable engines

The range of engines is rich. The car is equipped with different power plants - gasoline and diesel. The first are represented by atmospheric volumes of 1, 4 and 1.6 liters, turbocharged 1.4 and 1.6 liters. 1.3, 1.7 and 2.0 liter diesel units are available.

Hardy manual transmission and hodovka

The manual transmission of a car is one of the most reliable. Under normal use, it nurses for a long time without complaints. Available five- and six-speed.

The steering also proved to be good. Chassis adapted to domestic roads. Its main advantage is in chassis settings. With careful use, many parts of the hodovka serve more than 120 thousand km. This mainly applies to ball bearings, wheel bearings and shock absorber springs. Opel Astra 2009–2016 has a smooth ride and excellent handling.

Economical fuel consumption

The fuel consumption of the car is small, which certainly pleases drivers. The 1.4-liter engine consumes 6.6 liters of gasoline per 100 km. Of course, the ride on it will be quite calm. Turbo modifications will be more powerful. At the same time, fuel consumption will not grow by much and will amount to 7 liters per 100 km. Good dynamics in power plants with a volume of 1.7 liters.

Weaknesses Opel Astra 2009–2016 release

1. Body;
2. Salon;
3. Electronics;
4. Petrol engines;
5. Diesel power units;
6. Automatic transmission;
7. Chassis.

• Body

The lack of a body is a paintwork. It greatly disappoints the owners. Scratches quickly appear on the body. Moreover, it can be damaged even during a normal car wash. But this is not the worst, peeling paint is much more dangerous. Problem areas are sills, trunk lid, bumper and fenders.

• Salon

Salon has become a weak point of the car. The quality of finishing materials is low, as a result of which crickets quickly appear. Unpleasant sounds can come from:

• center console;
• door glass;
• Ceiling;
• front seats.

The dimensions of the Astra are rather big, both outside and inside. But despite this, the cabin is not spacious. Discomfort is experienced by passengers who sit in the back. Their knees rest on the front seats. It is not easy to get into the car because of the narrow doorways.

The center console has also become a problem for many owners. It has a large number of buttons that are difficult to figure out. Only the instruction manual will help determine the functional purpose of each. The intuitive method in this case does not work, as in other machines of the same segment.

• Electronics

The fourth generation Opel Astra has a lot of electronics. This is a plus on one side and a minus on the other. Since it is a weak point of the machine and often breaks down. Onboard equipment fails. At any moment, it can start to reboot for no apparent reason. The standard alarm system is a hassle. Often refuses to work. The windows can go down on their own, and the air conditioning compressor can break.

• Petrol engines

At gasoline engines there are few shortcomings. The main one is expensive maintenance and repair of turbocharged ones. Turbine replacement is carried out every two hundred thousand km. It costs a lot - about 60 thousand rubles.

The sore of gasoline engines is the thermostat. He has a small resource and he serves no more than 40 thousand km. The coolant reservoir level valve will also cause trouble.

The 1.6-liter engine has an unreliable phase regulator, or rather its solenoid valve. It requires special care - cleaning should be carried out every 50 thousand km. Otherwise, it will make noise and over time, engine repairs will be required, which will be expensive.

The electronic throttle does not last long either. On average, she nurses 70 thousand km. You can increase its service life. To do this, it is necessary to use high-quality gasoline and flushing when traction deteriorates.

• Diesel power units

Diesel powertrains are susceptible to fuel quality. The use of poor diesel fuel will shorten the life of many parts of the installation. Negatively affect injectors, catalysts, injection pumps and other things.

When purchasing a used car with a diesel engine, experts recommend diagnosing the installation. Especially those machines that were operated in Europe. There is a good chance that they have a twisted mileage.

• Automatic transmission

The automatic transmission has many drawbacks. When switching, jerks were noted, while the car was stopped - an uncharacteristic sound already at a run of 70 thousand km. This happens for various reasons. One of the most common failure software transmission. This can be caused by wear of the solenoid valves installed in the hydraulic unit. Rarely, but still occurs, the destruction of the wavy pressure plate. To sort out the installation, you will need to spend about 70 thousand rubles.

Often there is an oil leak in the box. The reason for the trouble is in low quality tubes. This is a manufacturer's defect.

If improperly used, the installation will quickly fail. On a run of 160 thousand km, problems may arise with it. Replacing the transmission will cost 120 thousand rubles.

• Chassis

The disease of the hodovka was tapping at low temperatures on a rough road. The reason is that the shock absorber boot often comes off. The brake calipers make the same noise. On most cars they make a lot of noise. It is possible to solve the problem. It is enough to install a special gasket in the zone of the disturbing area.

Stabilizer struts don't last long. Replacement is carried out after 35 thousand kilometers. Support bearings and stabilizer bushings nursed a little more than 40 thousand km, shock absorbers - 100 thousand km.

Typical disadvantages of Opel Astra IV

1. Electronics is problematic;
2. Expensive maintenance and repair;
3. The suspension is noisy;
4. Unstable automatic transmission.

Let's summarize.

The fourth generation of the model has proven itself quite well. The car is economical, inexpensive and reliable. It perfectly combines pleasant and modern external data, good dynamism and controllability. Compared to other machines in the same segment, it is one of the most popular. It is chosen by young and practical motorists.

What problems did you have during the operation of the Opel Astra?

Poll Options are limited because JavaScript is disabled in your browser.