V6 Service

Just had my 98 Vectra serviced, it was a 100 000 mile service so I pressume
that it was a major service. Took it to a Masterfit Garage btw. When I went
over the paper work after I got home I saw they hadn't replaced the spark
plugs. When I qustioned this I was told that to replace the spark plugs on a
V6 the garage has to drop the manifold and if they were to replace the plugs
that would add an extra £125 to my bill and that they only replace the plugs
every 40k. Is this correct or are theytrying to pull the wool over my eyes?

 

I think the proper service interval on these plugs is every 20,000 miles by
the way have you ever had the timing belt done.

 

I have only recently just acquired the car, I had the cam belt done on this
last service which added an extra £330 to the bill...

 

Yes £330 well mmmm thought i might do my v 6 omega myself but perhaps not,
its just coming up to 40000miles now how many times has yours been changed

 

I have only recently bought the car, but according to all the paper work and
receipts this is the first cam belt change even though the previous owner
said he changed it (no docs saying this so i thought it best if i changed
it). According to Vauxhall the camb belt needs replacing every 70k...

 

I hope to take delivery of a new Zafira diesel today.

Any tips please on how to run it in properly?
Its first outing tomorrow will be a very long motorway trip.
I don't want to ruin it by exceeding the revs or anything.
The salesman said it doesn't need running in, but I'd like to
treat it properly.

Also the service interval is 20000 miles.
20000 miles before a first oil change seems ludicrously long to me.
Obviously fits in with hire car/fleet requirements, makes it cheeap for
them.
I intend to keep this car for a long time.
Anyone know if it is advisable or possible to have the first oil change
sooner?
Will doing that in any way muck up the car's service record?

 

I've spoken to Vauxhall about service intervals as there seems to be quite
a lot of confusion (I've had different answers from 2 different dealers
and another from Vauxhall themselves!). The 20k service intervals are
correct, as long as the proper oil is used. They use a special thick oil
that is supposed to last the 20k miles. You may also have a "service
interval" reading on your dashboard (mine works by pressing the trip reset
with the ignition off), which shows how long till the next service,
depending on how you've been driving.

Clear as mud?

Regards,
Ian

 

There's an old joke "Why don't you need to run-in a Rolls Royce?"

Answer - "because it fits"

These days, things tend to be designed and machined more accurately,
materials are better etc., so running in is much less of an issue.

My recommendation is (a) don't thrash it, but equally don't be afraid of
getting a bit of speed up, (b) don't sit for a long time at constant revs
(so vary speed and lift off completely for a few seconds periodically on
your long motorway run tomorrow), (c) remember everything's new, not just
main bearings - eg brakes, (d) if you give your passengers a comfy ride,
you're doing it right.

Enjoy - you lucky so and so.... :-(

 

Correct, the plugs are only changed at 40,000 miles. The major service
interval on these is 4 years/40,000 miles so your 100,000 was not a
major service.

Your service book will tell you exactly what is done when - I would
check that.

Alan

 

20,000 is the recommended change but you have to do it at least yearly
so most people do it at a far lower mileage.

With regards to oil, they do not use a special thick oil, they use a
special thin one! It is important to use the right spec semi-synthetic
oil. Your dealer will automatically use the right grade but if you are
doing it elsewhere buy a 5L can from the dealer. it is cheap and decent
quality.

Alan

 

Thanks for the replies.
Any more advice gratefully received.

On a related topic, I've never had a diesel before.
Any good tips for driving them effectively?


Honest John in the Saturday Telegraph often recommends
'simmering' the turbo by letting the engine idle after
a long run. is that a must?

 

I am not aware of Vauxhall ever having 70,000 intervals. They are 40k
or 80k

I wonder whether the 70,000 you have seen is kilometres? 70 = 43,000
miles!

Alan

 

Only if you have really thrashed it up to the point of stopping the
engine.

ALan

 

I really must chip in my tuppence ha'porth on this.

it is a good practice to let a turbo engine (petrol or diesel, doesnt matter
what) idle for 10-15 seconds at a minimum to let the turbos rpms settle down
to a minimum. I always cringe whenever I hear some heathen rev their engine
and then turn the key off when it is revving at 2-3k. The reason is very
simple indeed. when the crankshaft is turning, so is the oil pump, providing
lubrication for the bearings of the turbo which in the case of smaller ones
can quite easily reach 250 thousand rpm. yes, thats right,thousand!. now
think of something turning at a quarter million rpm with no lubrication to
speak of, and how long it takes to spool down. (not long actually if you
keep abusing it!)

I cant help but wonder how many cases of turbo failure are down to such
simple abuse.

Mike

 

Hi all i run my own business and to have a cam belt done on a vectra would
not cost that much gets me were these garages get there prices from.spark
plugs on a vectra would cost to change would be £60 thats with parts &
labour


www.jcautos.co.uk

 

For the oil change - I have always taken the view that oil change intervals
are too long, and have no hesitation in changing the oil and filter earlier,
always using the recommended oil. So for my Astra (also 20k intervals) I
change the oil in-between services at about 10k. For me this means no more
than 6 monthly intervals (20 - 25k PA mainly motorway)

 

Totally correct on this one.Turbos must be allowed to cool gently after a
thrashing and the best way to do it is to toodle around at low revs for
abgout 15 mins if possible. I know of a car (subaru wrx that the owner can
switch off and lock up and walk away and the engine keeps runnong until the
turbo cools down). Happy xmas everybody.

 

I have a V6 Omega 2.5 - sparkplugs and cam belt are listed in the
schedule to be replaced at 40k intervals. V6 are the most expensive of
the range to be serviced & most repairs are very expensive as well
(leaking oil seal on diff. £218 - main agent job as specialist tools
required). Won't be getting another one when this one expires.

 

I'm surprised that the inlet manifold on the V6 Vectra has to be
dropped to change spark plugs. I helped change my brothers plugs on his
V6 Omega and while it was a bit tricky due to the air con pipes getting
in the way all 6 plugs were changed in about 45 minutes or so. Hardest
plug was the rear on the left hand bank. Anyone who's changed them
will understand.

My neighbour had a diff oil leak on his Scorpio a few years ago and the
local Ford dealer quoted him £350 to fix it. In the end he didn't
bother and changed it for a Laguna. He has had his fair share of
problems with that one as well.

Still bigger cars can be coslty to run especially through a main dealer.