In detail: do-it-yourself Opel Vectra car repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.
The first generation Opel Vectra was launched in the fall of 1988 (1989 model). Opel Vectra replaced the obsolete Ascona on the assembly line, opening a new branch in the Adam Opel lineup. The Opel Vectra A was available in a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback with a transverse engine. The drive is permanent front or permanent full, with a viscous coupling in the transfer case. 1.4-cylinder four-cylinder petrol engines; 1.6; 1.8; 2 l and diesel 1.7 l. All-wheel drive versions "4x4" and "2000 4x4" were equipped with gasoline engines, respectively, 1.8 and 2 liters. A year later, there was a hatchback “Vectra GT” - Grand Turismo. In the models bearing this brand, Opel puts powerful engines, a gearbox with sports gear ratios, a sports suspension and a sports interior. In the autumn of the same year, a kind of the then top model "Opel Vectra 2000 16V", equipped with a powerful 150-horsepower sixteen-valve, was released.
The complete set of the car is indicated roughly, because depending on the wishes of the future owner, new cars could be fitted with one or another equipment to order and at the same time assigned one of the standard indexes.
In 1993, the “Vectra” lineup was rejuvenated - the so-called. facelift. And since September 1992, cars with body-colored bumpers, mirrors, with a modified radiator grill and various other little things that distinguish the updated Vectra from the previous ones went off the assembly line. There were two even more impressive power units: a V-shaped “six” of 2.5 liters “Ecotech”, which met the strict environmental standards of Euro II, and a two-liter turbo engine. A complete list of Opel Vectra engines can be viewed here. Accordingly, in addition to the existing modifications - GL, GLS, GT and CD, more expensive ones were added: “CD Diamond”, “Special”, “Sport”, V6 and the CDX luxury model. For the very economical, the Eco model was produced for two years - with a minimum of possible combinations of options.
Video (click to play).
The design of the Opel Vectra with front drive wheels is quite traditional for a car of the 80s. The engine is located at the front transversely, the front suspension is of the McPherson type, and the rear suspension is with connected trailing arms. They are rigidly connected by a steel V-profile crossbeam, which torsionally “assists” the anti-roll bar. To make the loading surface of the boot floor wide and low enough, the suspension arms are lowered below the wheel axles, where they are supported by barrel-shaped, very small coil springs "mini-block". The owner of the Opel Vectra will immediately notice the advantages of such a scheme - the capacity of the trunk!
The undoubted advantages of the car include excellent handling on slippery roads, a solid body and, one might say, respectable harmonious appearance. For fans of all-wheel drive, there is the Opel Vectra 4x4. However, differing in the device of the transmission and rear suspension, but being about a quarter more expensive and slightly more voracious, the all-wheel drive Vectra did not win any special sympathy from economical Europeans, who are accustomed to moving along smooth “parquet” tracks.
Version "1.6GLS" with 82 and 75 hp engines. belongs to the old generation, therefore it is inexpensive. Versions “2.0iCD / CDX” with 115 and 136 hp engines. - these are also cars of the old generation, but their standard equipment in the Vectr model range is unmatched.They have very good engines, but are constrained by an unsuitable transmission with a “long” shift between gears in the “CD” version. Transmission version “2.0iGT” with 130 hp engine. is devoid of this drawback. Turbo version with 204 hp engine: very powerful, with 6-speed gearbox and integral transmission. The Turbo 4x4 is a great high-end car: the engine is well equipped and an integral transmission is also installed. But the lack of suspension stiffness does not allow this version to enter the sports car class. Version "1.6CD" with a 100 hp engine: a new generation, the engine, although small, but powerful enough. The current "Vectra" outwardly has changed little in comparison with the previous generation. Its biggest trump card in comparison with its predecessors is the extended range of standard equipment.
4-door options are less common and less in demand than 5-door options. Anyone who wants to choose a 2-door car should stop their eyes on the "Opel-Caliber". This coupe model has the same technical equipment as the Opel Vectra (but, accordingly, the same malfunctions).
In 1988, the outdated Opel Ascona was replaced by the Opel Vectra. The first generation of this now very popular car is usually designated by the “A” index. The car immediately gained popularity among drivers and became a bestseller of the Opel brand. When creating the Opel Vectra, the designers paid great attention to the strength of the body. In addition, it has excellent corrosion resistance. Vectra A was produced with a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback with a transverse engine. Cars were offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The front-wheel Vectra is a very traditional design for cars from the 80s. Front suspension - McPherson type, rear - with connected trailing arms. They are rigidly connected by a steel V-profile crossbeam, which torsionally assists the anti-roll bar. To make the loading surface of the boot floor wide and low enough, the suspension arms are lowered below the wheel axles, where they are supported by barrel-shaped coil springs of a very small height. The main advantage of this scheme is the roomy trunk.
The range of power units was presented: 1.6 l, 75 hp; 1.8 l, 88 hp; 2.0 l, 115 hp, as well as a 1.7 l diesel engine with a power of 57 hp.
For the most part, Vectra A are equipped with 5-speed gearboxes, but there are versions with both 4-speed and automatic ones.
At the end of 1989, four-wheel drive versions “4x4” and “2000 4x4” began to be produced, on which engines of 1.8 and 2 liters were installed, respectively. However, differing in the device of the transmission and rear suspension, being more expensive and slightly more voracious, the all-wheel drive Vectra did not enjoy much success in Europe.
In 1990, the Vectra GT hatchback appeared. This model is equipped with a transmission with sport ratios, a sport suspension, a sport interior and more powerful engines.
In the fall of 1990, the Vectra 2000 16V was released. Equipped with a powerful 150-horsepower sixteen-valve engine.
In 1992, a minor update of the model takes place. Cars with body-colored bumpers and mirrors, a modified radiator grille and other other features that distinguish the updated models from previous versions came off the assembly line.
There were two new engines: a V-shaped "six" 2.5 liters, fully complying with environmental standards Euro II and a 2-liter turbo engine.
In 1994, more expensive modifications were added to the existing modifications - GL, GLS, GT and CD: “CD Diamond”, “Special”, “Sport”, V6 and the CDX luxury model.
The Vectra 4 × 4 turbo model was produced in limited quantities, with a capacity of 204 hp.
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Not so long ago, many Opel Vectra A drove on the roads of the CIS. The first generation of the Opel Vectra can be called one of the most successful cars of the brand, the assembly of the model began in 1988, the Vectra replaced the previous model of the D - class - Ascona. In the rank of Opel models, Vectra stood in a class lower than the Opel Senator B and Opel Omega A, but higher than the golf-class model - the Cadet. When creating the Vectra, the developers were faced with the task of making a convenient in daily operation and relatively affordable car, in this case, the creators of the car did not have the task of obtaining perfected handling or comfort, therefore the Opel Vectra A does not differ in handling as in the BMW 3-series, or in the comfort inherent in cars Mercedes. Even the name of the car - Vectra was chosen by the computer, after entering into it a lot of parameters about this car. we can say that this is a car without emotion, but it is practical, with good smoothness and a not too aging appearance.
By its design, the Vectra is quite traditional for the D - class car: front-wheel drive, a relatively small four-cylinder engine located transversely to the body, the front suspension is MacPherson strut, the rear suspension is also traditional for an inexpensive car - semi-independent.
Before buying a first generation Vectra, it will not be superfluous to look at the VIN number. The first symbol will tell you about the country of the manufacturer of car kits - it is always the symbol "W" - Germany. The second and third symbols indicate the brand - OL-Opel. Further, the symbols up to the eighth position do not mean anything, the eighth and ninth symbols indicate the type of body: 87 - sedan, 89 - hatchback.
The tenth character is the year the car was created: J - 1988, K - 1989, L-1990, M-1991, N-1992, P-1993, R-1994, S-1995. The eleventh character of the VIN-code indicates the place of assembly: 1-Rüsselheim, 2-Bochum (in Germany), 4-Zaragoza (in Spain), 5-Anwerp. The discrepancy between what you saw and the one specified in the VIN code (for example, the body type of the car being inspected is a sedan, and the VIN of the car is registered as a hatchback) will tell you about the problem of this instance. Initially, the basic equipment of the Opel Vectra was GL, followed by GLS and CD. In this review, we will briefly focus on the body, interior and technical components of the Opel Vectra A.
Opel offered Vectrs A in two body styles: a classic sedan and a five-door hatchback, respectively, the wheelbase was one - 2601 mm. The ground clearance was as much as 178 mm, the front and rear tracks were 1420 mm each. The trunk in both variations of the Vectra A reached a significant 530 liters, due to the fact that the suspension arms are located below the wheel axles.
Rear suspension - trailing arms, front - classic McPherson. As for the drive wheels, Opel decided not to be distracted from the trends of the time, and used front-wheel drive in the Vectra, but in 1990 the Opel Vectra 4 × 4, with all-wheel drive, began to be produced. All-wheel drive Vectras were equipped with power units of 1.8 and 2.0 liters, but due to the unreliable transmission and increased consumption, such cars did not become popular.
Opel Vectra, the technical characteristics of which did not stand out among competitors in terms of power, were distinguished by high-quality assembly and reliability. Power units 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 liters, 75, 88 and 115 horses, respectively, as well as a 57-horsepower diesel engine. Most of the Vectra engines were carbureted. In early 1991, the 16-valve Opel Vectra A 2000 appeared, with a 150-horsepower engine.
The technical characteristics of the gearbox were not outstanding, but they matched the car perfectly. The Vectra was equipped with a 5-speed manual, but there are also 4-speed gearboxes. Also, a 4-speed automatic was installed on rare copies.
The Opel Vectra A, whose technical characteristics were already delightful, could also boast of one more feature - the engine was located transversely in the car. The manufacturer has provided such a constructive solution for better weight distribution, which has an extremely positive effect on handling.
Initially, the first generation Vectra was produced in a sedan-type body, but in 1989, the assembly of hatchbacks began. Only the lazy did not write about the tendency of old Opels to corrosion and did not speak, we can only add that the rear support spring cups are also subject to decay; when buying a Vectra, you should pay attention to them.The most budgetary equipment is the Opel GL, which externally stands out with gray bumpers and a gray radiator grill. In 1992, the Vectra was restyled, fog lights were included in the minimum configuration, the radiator grille and taillights changed, you can see the differences before and after the restyled Vectra in the photo. Sporty modifications - GT are distinguished by a black radiator grille and a red stripe on the moldings. The CD is equipped with a motorized antenna. The base Vectra is put on tires with dimensions 185/60 R14.
Most Vectras of the first generation are equipped with a driver's seat cushion height adjustment. In 92, a new steering wheel began to be installed on the Vectra, which was later installed on the Opel Omega B (take a look at the photo). The average configuration - GLS was equipped with a hydraulic power steering, on the base - GL it was not. The dashboard of the GLS, in comparison with the GL, is supplemented with a tachometer. After the modernization of 92, an airbag for the driver entered the basic equipment of the Opel Vectra, and the doors were reinforced with special stiffeners. The front panel of the Vectra has no sharp corners - this also contributes to safety. The trunk of the Vectra sedan holds 540 liters, the volume can be increased to 840 liters if the rear sofa is folded down. The hatchback initially has a smaller trunk - 460 liters, but with the rear seats folded down, the hatchback trunk volume is larger than that of the sedan, the hatchback holds 1300 liters.
The price of a not rolled Opel Vectra A today fluctuates around $ 3,500 - $ 4,500, for $ 5,000 you can buy a well-groomed copy.
Environmental protection and energy saving
A modern driving style is designed to reduce noise and exhaust emissions. This pays off to a high degree and contributes to a higher standard of living.
Therefore, it is necessary to drive while taking care of energy:
"Less gasoline and more kilometers."
Excessively harsh acceleration will significantly increase fuel consumption. The squeal of tires and the roar of the engine at a brave start increase the noise level by about four times.
Upshift as soon as possible. A car traveling at 50 km / h in second gear makes as much noise as three cars traveling at the same speed in fourth gear.
Try to drive the car as often as possible, in the highest gear.
When driving in the city, it is often already over 50 km / h that you can move in 4th gear. When driving in 3rd gear, you consume 30% more fuel at speeds from 50 to 80 km / h than in 4th gear, and you affect the environment with a high level of noise.
Frequent starting and stopping, for example at traffic lights, significantly increase average fuel consumption and noise levels. Avoid unnecessary stops by prudent driving. Choose streets with good traffic when possible. By maintaining a sufficient distance and without jumping into empty spaces, you will avoid unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, which will increase noise and exhaust emissions and increase fuel consumption! Driving in residential areas and especially at night requires special attention.
Also at idle speed, the engine consumes fuel and makes noise. It is recommended to switch off the engine when the vehicle has been parked for more than 1 minute. Three minutes of idling corresponds to about a kilometer of movement!
The higher the driving speed, the more fuel is consumed. Running at full throttle burns too much fuel and produces excessive noise. Even a slight reset of the gas pedal significantly saves gasoline without a noticeable loss in speed.
As the speed rises, the noise of the wind and tires increases dramatically. The sound produced by the tires in top gear determines the noise level of the vehicle even at speeds above 70 km / h. A car at 150 km / h makes as much noise as four cars at 100 km / h or ten at 70 km / h.
Low pressure translates into a double loss of money: higher fuel consumption and more tire wear.
Unnecessary overload increases fuel consumption, especially when accelerating (city traffic). With a load of 100 kg in urban conditions, fuel consumption can increase by 0.5 l / 100 km.
Roof rack, ski holder
The roof rack and ski rack can increase fuel consumption by about 1 l / 100 km due to increased air resistance. It is recommended to remove the trunk when not in use.
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