Loads of problems with my Opel Astra...

Hi,

I have a 2006 Opel Astra 1.4 petrol. The management light is on and a mechanic said he thinks it's just an oxygen sensor, but recently my car has not been able to blow out hot air. The coolant seems to be gone, but it was only topped up recently and the engine is very hot after I drove it today and it sounded really loud when I turned on my air conditioning. Also, it is slightly vibrating and there is a whistling noise coming from the car.

Any help is welcome

Amy Taylor (Dublin)

Jan 2014 Filed under: fault

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Expert answer

Hi Amy,

It sounds like there are a few things wrong here. If the engine management light is on then the garage really needs to plug the car into a diagnostic machine to find out exactly what it is. A mechanic can't just guess. It needs to be sorted sooner rather than later.

If your coolant was gone then the engine would seize up and stop running. You should get plenty of warning of that with the coolant temperature gauge or warning light. If it's not blowing hot air (assuming the engine is warmed up properly, as that's where the heat comes from) then it sounds like an issue with either the thermostat or the heat exchanger.

Overall, I think you need to take the car to a different mechanic and go through all these issues with them.

Best of luck.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
@Shane_O_D