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[Doctor Gollum]

'07 Corsa 1.4: Belt or chain? Any good? Head/gasket reliability?

' 06 Astra H 1.3cdti: Any good? Anything to watch out for?

[zirk]

2007 1.4 Corsa is Chain, similar to the 1.2 Corsa C, which where Chain, Earlier C Corsa 1.4 were Cambelt.

All 3 are good Engines if Maintained, 1.2 and 1.4 Chains may suffer from Chain rattle, fairly common on Start Up or with age, high millage.

If you look on eBay loads of Corsa 1.2 / 1.4 with suspected Head Gasket fail, this is mainly due to Young Idiot Drivers who know nothing about the word 'Service or Routine Maintenance' and /or "Do I really need to top up Oil and Coolant in my Car" syndrome.

Know nothing about the 1.3cdt

[Keith ABS]

 1.3 cdti fiat engine

Keith ABS

[Nick W]

If you look on eBay loads of Corsa 1.2 / 1.4 with suspected Head Gasket fail, this is mainly due to Young Idiot Drivers who know nothing about the word 'Service or Routine Maintenance' and /or "Do I really need to top up Oil and Coolant in my Car" syndrome.

they are prone to oil cooler failure, that mixes the oil and coolant. But it's on the front of the engine, so is an easier job than a V6.

[VXL V6]

1.3CDTi is an awful engine, Dads old Corsa D was forever coming up with engine codes, turbo actuators seize, vacuum sensors fail etc etc all at relatively low mileages

[dave the builder]

I've just completely rebuilt a corsa 2005 1.2 lump
2000 to 2003 is x12xe chain driven ,(water pump is aux belt driven)
2003 on is z12xep twinport ,chain driven ,(water pump is aux belt driven)

tf the chain is too loose , it will rip chunks off the chain cover ,
(nice chunks of ali pumping round the lump ,)
hydraulic lifters collapse or stick (top end tick),cams can snap,
there are water ways going through the timing chain cover (which can leak into the timing chain ,(giving the impression the h/gasket has gone)
when re-fitting the timing chain cover(new gasket a must) ,you must have the sump off ,or you put strain on the oil pump .

there is a presure relief valve in the oil filter housing (front of engine) can stick.

the 1229cc 79bhp (z12xep) and 1364cc 89bhp (z14xep) share the same block ,cylinder head, headgasket ,only difference is crankshaft /longer stroke.
(so a 1.2 head will fit 1.4 and vice versa )
both have a very thin mls head gasket, so block deck and head must be  bang on true
parts are cheap

I know nothing of the cdti dirty diesel item 

[Doctor Gollum]

Diesel Astra has been ruled out as the MoT history suggests that a new rack will be needed in the near future, on top of an EML and no boost issue...

I appreciate that any cheap car will require some fettling to keep them serviceable, but I am not completely mad...

[dave the builder]

Trouble is , corsa's are small , cheap to insure ,learner/little old lady cars that have been driven badly,not maintained ,ragged by boy racers, (unless you find the brass rivet ,rare ,well cared for item)
i've just spent more on parts than we paid for the corsa in the first place
(but it is SORTED, for a new pass,family member)
astra g 8v are great (we've 4 in the fleet) 

[Sir Tigger KC]

If you are looking for a small cheap car, find a Fiesta 1.4 petrol. 

[VXL V6]

Yes agree, current Fiesta is a far better car than current Corsa.

On older models I do enjoy our 1.2 51 Corsa SXi bought for £150 requiring rear springs, TRE and headlamp, it's a hoot to drive. It's great for the oldest (taller than me so plenty of headroom) to learn to drive in and generally easy to do bits and pieces on.
Biggest problem with the Corsa C is leaks into cabin, main culprit requires the brake master cylinder etc removing to seal the bulkhead plate sufficiently.
The cars start at scrap money as long as you can sort a few bits out yourself, just don't buy one with an EPS fault as repairing that is awkward and replacing the column is expensive.

On the 1.2 I think all the gears are the same lol, it's great around town but not really up to faster roads!

[dave the builder]

Yes agree, current Fiesta is a far better car than current Corsa.

But FESTA is made by ford 

On older models I do enjoy our 1.2 51 Corsa SXi bought for £150 requiring rear springs, TRE and headlamp, it's a hoot to drive. It's great for the oldest (taller than me so plenty of headroom) to learn to drive in and generally easy to do bits and pieces on.
Biggest problem with the Corsa C is leaks into cabin, main culprit requires the brake master cylinder etc removing to seal the bulkhead plate sufficiently.
The cars start at scrap money as long as you can sort a few bits out yourself, just don't buy one with an EPS fault as repairing that is awkward and replacing the column is expensive.

On the 1.2 I think all the gears are the same lol, it's great around town but not really up to faster roads!

agreed the leak to footwell (via servo plate)is factory fitted but simple to sort .
the early corsa c is x12xe and only about 60 bhp ,
I was truly shocked how nippy the newer (2003+ z12xep) 79bhp item was 

EPS fault can sometimes be just adjusting the sensor under the steering column

[Sir Tigger KC]

Yes agree, current Fiesta is a far better car than current Corsa.

But FESTA is made by ford

Yep!