Buying a 1700TD Astra van...

[Mk1'SR'Dan]

hello folks, im planning on buying an Astra van, the 1700TD one, being new to this diesel lark, could anyone tell me anything specifically to look out for when i give it the old once over? also could someone tell me the engine code, its a 1999 Astra G if that helps anyone?!! cheers lads! :)

[thegingerwhinger]

is it the isuzu 16v version or the gm lump?

[Spudly]

I think that will be a crappy GM low blow fail type thing!

[Andy]

I think that will be a crappy GM low blow fail type thing!
Theyre dog muck.
Avoid like you avoid dog muck also.

[Mk1'SR'Dan]

avoid isuzu or GM? my old dears MK3 1700TD astra van is an isuzu and she spent 1200 notes on a new head after owning the van for less than a month... the word isuzu makes my toes curl...

[Mk1'SR'Dan]

avoid Isuzu or GM? my old dears got a mk3 astra van with an isuzu lump and she had to have a new head after less than a month of owning it... it cost her 1200 notes... the word isuzu has always made me cringe since then...

[Spudly]

Avoid the GM one theyre crap and you cant tune them, the Izuzu one is the one you want, you can tune them easily and get fantastic fuel economy, even when theyre running upwards of 20psi:thumb:

[mowgli]

i agree with spud.. the isuzu knocks the gm thing out the park....

the gm unit isn't as bad as, say a ford diesel of the same age, but the isuzu is just way better

its usual stuff, service history, cambelt changes etc...

check for rust underneath in the usual places

[nova ian]

I have one of these. The Y17DT Isuzu engine, 1700 16v one.

Been spot on for me really. Got over 155,000 on it and still going strong. Only problems I had was an oil leak from the oil pump when I first got the van. Was just the rubber o-ring in the pump had gone brittle. About a fiver for a new one and fitted myself.

Recently had to do head gasket though, but ended up having to put another head on as it was cracked near one of the valve guides, but the guy who skimmed and pressure tested it for me said I was really unfortunate as he had never seen one cracked like that before. But to be honest a head gasket can go on any car/engine to be fair... I was just unfortunate with having to replace the head. Again I did this myself so saved quite a few pennies!!

I really like mine and other than the usual vauxhall tinworm I think there pretty reliable

[Mk1'SR'Dan]

how do i tell the GM from the Isuzu?!! did someone say the Isuzu is 16v?!

[mowgli]

the isuzu is 1686cc

[Mk1'SR'Dan]

the isuzu is 1686cc

I meant visually! ie what does it say on the cam cover etc...!!

[Balley]

Turbo at the front, Pump at the back = Isuzu..... Pump at the front Turbo at the back = GM

[Mk1'SR'Dan]

Right O, nice one Balley! on the subject of turbos... i have a Garrett AR48 off my mates nissan 180SX... what d'you reckon...?!?!?

[Alex J]

isnt it the isuzu the one that has loads of fuel pump problems, and the EDU failing, (not ecu), and always going into limp mode, id also like more info as im looking myself.

[Mk1'SR'Dan]

isnt it the isuzu the one that has loads of fuel pump problems, and the EDU failing, (not ecu), and always going into limp mode, id also like more info as im looking myself.

My old dears Mk3 astra van has the isuzu lump and she had to spend 1200 quid on a new cylinder head (mugged off) after less than a month... word has it that the isuzu is the better one... but i still have (much) more faith in GM...

[Spudly]

My old dears Mk3 astra van has the isuzu lump and she had to spend 1200 quid on a new cylinder head (mugged off) after less than a month... word has it that the isuzu is the better one... but i still have (much) more faith in GM...





You need faith in the Izuzu lump and certainly not the garage that robbed your mum of £1200 notes, hell you couldve bought a couple of spare 1700 Izuzu TD astra's, complete, running and taxed for less than £1200:eek:

[davidfox280585]

isuzus fail on a dry joint on the edu very very easy fix,i had one in my combo and to be honest never faulted bar a turbo blow,
and mowgli my ford td has took a good battering so far trouble free and doesnt come with a crap alloy head!! steel heads ftw