New small van (Vauxhall Combo), haven't the faintest... ?

[RJY]

I have purchased a 2010 Vauxhall Combo van after a quick look over it in the snow. My old Scudo window van will be off the road for repair sometime when it's nicer out.

I discovered various minor problems - no spare wheel, side door (frozen I assume) shut, no lid on washer bottle, door "gutter" rubbers coming unglued, the trim over the grille missing, but nothing I could see really nasty. Strllat mileage though.

HOWEVER.

It was advertised as a "1.3 CDTi 1700 16v Panel Van 3dr", BUT I looked at the "New keepers details when I got home, and see it's a "Combo 1700 CDTI" which is 1686cc. I am having a lot of trouble finding information on this van. I had hoped they were really, really common! I would like to know whether it's got a timing chain or timing belt, for instance, where there's an active discussion forum, common problems (yes, after buying it!), etc.

Any ideas, please?

 

[Blobber]

Its a belt on that, no idea on how good an engine it is though

 

[dobbslc]

Can't be any worse than the 1.9CDTI can it!
My 21 plate Combo van is called a 2300 Cargo but they are all 1.5 liter engines, others are 2000. Mines a LWB so might be the two different lengths?

 

[RJY]

Its a belt on that, no idea on how good an engine it is though

Drat.

 

[RJY]

Can't be any worse than the 1.9CDTI can it!
My 21 plate Combo van is called a 2300 Cargo but they are all 1.5 liter engines, others are 2000. Mines a LWB so might be the two different lengths?

I don't know, I am confused, and it does not help that the van is a few miles away, waiting for me to pick it up when the legal requirements (insurance, tax) are done.

I kbew someone who had an Astra 1.7 which motored really well. No idea if this is the same one though (that was an Isuzu engine).

Gawd. I have to drop my lovely Scudo off for storage, tomorrow or Sunday, then get to where the new van is, 15 miles... by bicycle. Argh!

 

[Onthespotwelding]

Had an 1700 Astra van and a Corsa combo van at work.

Older 1700 Astra engine is the better engine more boost and better midrange pull. turbocharged and intercooled better mpg too.

 

[dobbslc]

I think the 1.7 engine is better than the older 1.9.
Get a new belt on it if it has one, change the coolent!
Give it a long thrash every now and then to get the DPD to regen and it'll be ok
I've just thought, I think @northwest has an Astra van, maybe the same engine?

 

[Scalarocco]

I've got a 1.7cdti mokka. Not sure if it is exactly the same engine but mine has a DMF which has just had to be replaced (102,000 miles). That was £1200 for the garage to change, as it is beyond my scope. In the mokka the DPF regeneration is active and works automatically. It is a pain and there appears to be no logic to the way it works. I drove 240 miles to Kent yesterday, so would expect it to be clean already, but it still decided to run a regeneration cycle this morning. Other than that it is cheap to run and enough power (128bhp) for my needs.

 

[m_c]

That age of Combo was available with either the Fiat 1.3, or Isuzu 1.7 diesel.
1.7 has a timing belt (service interval was 60, 80, or 100k, depending on what the engine was fitted to), which is probably cheaper than a chain on the 1.3, as the chains were usually worn out by 100k and a far more involved job to change.

I can't really think of any common major faults, but I never really seen many of the 1.7s. The majority were 1.3s.
That era of Combo's were actually pretty good once GM fixed the issues from the first model years. Biggest one was early gearbox diffs exploding due to internal bolt locking issues, and the gear change mechanisms used to wear and fall apart, but VX started supplying an uprated one - if it does pop off, plastic bag over the ball and pop it back on is the quick fix to get you moving again.

 

[RJY]

available with either the Fiat 1.3, or Isuzu 1.7 diesel.
1.7 has a timing belt (service interval was 60, 80, or 100k, depending on what the engine was fitted to)

Thank you. I will have to assume it's a cambelt 1.7.

Called my current insurer to find out about swapping the vehicle covered. They are sure it's 1248cc, having looked up the thing. When I look it up (HMG vehicle enquiry, reg is FL60XLD) it comes out as 1686cc. It says that on the New keeper's details of the V5C, too, so I assume that's what it is. Maybe I can work it out for sure from the VIN, if I go to where it is and get it?

 

[qwakers]

vauxhall dealer system says thats a 1.7

 

[northwest]

I kbew someone who had an Astra 1.7 which motored really well. No idea if this is the same one though (that was an Isuzu engine).

I've just thought, I think @northwest has an Astra van, maybe the same engine?

I do indeed, I had mine "modified" and it goes like stink, gives a few drivers a surprise once in a while. Very good vehicle and one of my better bangernomics purchases, quite frugal too if I can lighten up on the right foot issue

 

[RJY]

vauxhall dealer system says thats a 1.7

I think it is. I will bend the ear of the insurer and say that's what it is. Thanks all.