Fixing my Astra - Part 1

Hello everyone.

My car being a 2006 Holden Astra has been racking up the kilometres and not giving out much trouble but can do with some fixing up. The biggest moment that has changed things is on Friday the 24th of February when I came home from work is when I've discovered there's a puddle of coolant and some steam coming from the front as I was bringing in the garbage and recycling bin back in the garage as they've been emptied. One look when I've opened the bonnet has shocked me. There is coolant all over the engine bay.



As you can see, the traces of pink is what the remains are of the coolant and even there's hardly any coolant in the expansion tank. Once that happened, I had to order my Friday's takeaway via Uber Eats. And it was rather costly.


Meanwhile, I have bought some new parts which included the expansion tank, a series of radiator hoses and new easier hose clamps as you'll discover my car originally has spring clamps that hold the radiator hoses. If you're wanting to take up a new skill working on cars, I'll warn you now they're a nightmare as I've realised. Just for maintenance, I'll be looking to replace the radiator hoses and the expansion tank anyway as my car has passed 381,000 kilometres (238,125 miles).

So the next day, I got on the bus to the centre of Pakenham to buy a pair of pliers and a bottle of premixed coolant. Next, I cracked on with the repair. However, it hadn't gone too well as I've had a huge amount of trouble. I've had trouble taking the old expansion tank out so I summoned a YouTube video on how to remove the expansion tank out of the Astra. There is a clip holding the tank to the car but it was fiddly having to use 2 screwdrivers to release it. But then, I tried to remove the radiator hoses with it's original spring clamps but the pliers I've bought were useless. I couldn't open them up and I was upset as hell along the way. You could imagine how much I was swearing.

And that's how I've got at the time.


So far, I've had to remove the battery, it's tray and the air box of my car. At the moment, I felt I've been defeated by my car. And I thought my car was done for.

However on Sunday, I've spoken to Robert over the phone and talked about what I've been up to. I've told him about my car situation and we agreed because my car is still in good working order, it can be repaired. I thought of taking my car out to be scrapped but I've decided against it. During that weekend, I will be getting a new car and once that happens, I'll fix up the Astra and sell it. I've discussed with Stu after and that gave me hope I can get my car up and running again.

So the next weekend Saturday the 4th of March, I've invited Stu over to my house to help fix up my car. He has told me earlier he's bought a TS series Astra as a project car which had a blown head gasket and needs a brake booster. Just to remind you this series Astra is older than mine being the AH series.


And whilst I was waiting, I gave the engine bay a bit of a clean at the time I've had the battery and air box out. In particular, the gearbox was caked in oil but some degreasing and scrubbing made it a little better.

When Stu arrived, we've got to business. He had the right tools to tackle the ridiculous spring clamps and with a decent amount of persistence, he was able to take the lower radiator hose out despite spilling some remaining coolant. And after a lot of fiddling to get the upper radiator hose out, the time comes for a big rejoice as the hard saga is over.

And then came the part of fitting the new radiator hoses. There was a little mucking around but it's grateful after to fit the new hoses and the clamps you can just screw in and out. It'll make a world of a difference.


Next comes the re-assembly.


First, the air box.


Next, the new expansion tank along with the new hose.


And finally, the battery is back in. It's pleasing to have my car back in one piece again.

Now came the time of adding fresh new coolant. Everything is going well with the new hoses sealing nicely but eventually, Stu and I found there's a leak coming from the radiator. I thought earlier the lower radiator hose had sprung a leak but I was wrong. The radiator had a puncture which meant my car will still be out of action for longer.

Next time, I'll be getting a new radiator but other than that, I'll be looking to get a few more parts such as the windscreen washer pump, a new lower back seat as the original lost its shape and perhaps a lower panel behind the grille.

It's pleasing the electrics work fine and the engine still has enough oil.

Stay tuned when I'll get more parts to replace.

See you next time!

Credits: Stu Reid

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