Vectra V6

I have just got myself an "R" reg 1998 Vectra V6 and i have 2 questions
1) I seem to have a small amount of play on the steering, is there a way of
taking out the slack
by adjust the steering rack??
2) when i start the car in the morning, on the near side front quater there
is a whining noise, it sounds like an electric pump, the sound lasts for
about 2 mins and then its gone????..............any ideas???

Paul

 

You will probably find the play is in the universal joints between the
column and the rack - check the bolts first cos they do come loose.
The noise will be the secondary air pump - it pumps air into the exhaust to
warm the cat up quicker - it is only meant to last 2 mins so doing it's job.

 

Thanks very much mate, i will sleep a little easier tonight!!

Paul

 

Keep an eye (or rather, an ear) on that secondary air pump, they don't
last more than 60~80 Kmiles.
Symptom of a pump on the way out is loud bearings, & sometimes an
exhaust fume smell when stationary.
Also get a purring sound from the pump casing when idling.

Cause is usually the gated valve on the exhaust manifold, the one that
opens for a few minutes to allow the fresh air into the cat.
This valve starts leaking back exhaust fumes to the pump, eventually
the bearings wear out.
Sometimes, they sieze up all together, so no whining is a bad thing. :
(

Best to replace both pump & valve at the same time.
I think this prolongs the life of the cat, so don't leave it until too
late to fix.