Vauxhall Astra gearbox / radiator

Car: Vauxhall Astra
Variant: 1.8 AUTOMATIC
Model Year: 2005
Categories: Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
WHILST DRIVING HOME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, MY ASTRA JUST CUT OUT COMPLETELY. THE AA ATTENDED AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A GEARBOX PROBLEM. HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD MY GARAGE THAT APPARENTLY THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN LEAKING AND HAS LEAKED INTO THE AUTOMATIC GEARBOX! I HAVE NEVER NOTICED THE RADIATOR LEAKING AND IT WAS FINE WHEN THE AA ATTENDED ALSO. IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED THAT THIS MAY BE SOME SORT OF "COMMON" FAULT WITH THE RADIATOR FROM THIS MODEL - ANYONE WITH ANYMORE INFO?? THE CAR HAS ONLY DONE 50,000 IN 5 YRS, AM NO CAR EXPERT BY ANY STRETCH, BUT THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR FAULT FOR A CAR WHICH HASN'T DONE THAT MANY MILES!! ANYONE KNOW OF ANY INFO???
Posted: Sep 16, 2010 (14 years ago)
This should help you and gives info re . radiator recall .


http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?163171-Water-in-the-gearbox-or-major-scam!
Posted Sep 16, 2010 (14 years ago)
Hi, the exact same thing has happened to me today I was driving and my car stopped I too had aa out and they said it was the radiator leaking into my oil for gearbox, and that there are matal fragments mixed with the water/oil they called a garage and was told the cost would be £1700 - £2000 for repair my car is also automatic and on 05 plate and have done 55000 miles. I have always had my service and looked after the car and cannot understand how such a major fault can happen that can cause so much damage and cost ! I was totally shocked to see that you had posted the exact same fault today on same car same year and around same mileage !
Posted Sep 16, 2010 (14 years ago)
I have just been dealing with the very same thing, started losing coolant but couldnt find a leak anywhere, took it into the my garage well to cut to the chase they said the same thing.
They told me the oil from the gearbox is run into the rad to cool it but the pipes aint upto the job and then your coolant gets into the gearbox. I tried Vauxhall customer service who were very helpful and told me to take the car to a vauxhall dealer and they would look at it for me, when I asked who was going to pay for it, she said they make no garantee about any payment towards cost, so if I take it to a Vauxhall dealer its going to charge me at least 60% more than my garage and I could be left to pay for it all, on a car thats 5 years old and only 29000 miles on it.
So I decided to leave it at my garage, they have flushed the gearbox out twice, and put a new Radiator on told me to so how it goes if I get any more probs bring it back and if it needs a new gearbox they willfit one and take the price of the flushing off the bill, pretty fair I think.
A new gearbox from Vauxhall £2000 plus and then all they will do is sell the old box on to be flushed and sold second hand.
My bill was £450.
Posted Oct 4, 2010 (14 years ago)
I have a 2006 astra 1800 auto. I noticed coolant level dropping but no visable signs of leaks. Checked transmission fluid on dipstick and found level above max but also the light brownish clour associated with oil and water mix.
I checked out the transmission cooling system and realised that the transmission oil was cooled via a port incorporated within the rad. I changed the rad and gear oil hence with. Since which I have systomatically renewed the gear oil every weekend trying to flush out the effects of coolant in an automatic gearbox.
To no avail. My car vibrates when in neutral, and 'kangaroos' in reverse making backing up quite hazzardess.
I have now found this to be a common fault, and known to Vauxhall from the outset.
I am a qualified motor technician. I know the cost involved in the repair, and I'm in the trade, so to speak. I have spoken to technicians working at Vauxhall. There was no recall regarding this fault but technicians were asked to complete various 'reports' regarding warranty faults.
In my opinion there should have been a recall. I can obtain various communications with Vauxhall hq and its dealerships if people feel strong enough in their quest to make all manufactuers accountable for cost cutting, cheap, unreliable designs and hold no responsability. Consumer rights knowledge may be beneficial.
Has anybody had any luck in Vauxhall Motors repairing this fault, in or out of manufactuers warranty, if so how?
Posted Aug 23, 2012 (12 years ago)
Hi. I too have the same issue. Mine is an 2007 56 Plate. This is a design fault and is a common issue. My car was recalled by my local dealer in 2010 when the car was only three but i was told the radiator number did not match the list provided by vauxhall so I was assured it would not be a problem and sent on my way. Three weeks ago the car stopped changing down from 4th gear so wouldnt go anywhere. I contacted vauxhall customer services as the car is well out of warranty now but were not very helpful. I then contacted the local dealership where the car was recalled to. They agreed to inspect the car for free even after vauxhall customer services told me i would be charged for this. They agree the radiator is leaking and has caused the fault with the gearbox. They are now replacing the radiator and flushing the gearbox FREE OF CHARGE. Fingers crossed this works!

My advise would be to persist with Vauxhall and your local dealership as most vehicles with this issue were recalled and should have been fixed. Surely there is a claim against vauxhall for providing a vehicle that is not fit for purpose due to the design fault.
Posted Feb 4, 2013 (11 years ago)
I have opel Astra and leaking on plastic side of radiator, i have noticed a small crack. What can i use to seal?
Posted Mar 9, 2013 (11 years ago)
Hi,
i have had the same thing happen to me this morning.
my partner was driving to work and all of a sudden the gears kept on slipping and got stuck in 4th and wouldn't go into 1st when stopped. I looked on other sites to see what the problem is and it said possible gear box fault with coolant leaking from the rad. i called vauxhall and asked about a recall and they confirmed and said my car had been recalled and had the radiator changed in 2009. but it seems like this issue has happened again. would i be help responsible for the repair even though it might point to this problem again???

someone please advise

ricky
Posted Aug 29, 2013 (11 years ago)

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