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Opel Astra Van 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX Design Edition common faults.

2012–2016, van, diesel, 95 HP.

The fault list covers: A13DTE engine, M32 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. No recall on the list.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical1

1.3 CDTI (A13DTE / Z13DT*): timing chain and tensioner

critical

The Opel 1.3 litre CDTI (the Fiat Multijet based Z13DT / Z13DTH / A13DTE family) runs a chain driven valvetrain. The chain depends on the oil level and the oil quality: if the oil level is low or the oil is worn out, the tensioner loses pressure and the chain stretches.

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Symptom: a metallic rattle on a cold start. If the rattle is left alone, the chain can jump and the engine is badly damaged inside. The replacement is labour intensive, around the sump and the turbo.

Short trips also coke the particulate filter and the EGR valve.

between 100,000 and 160,000 km

What to check

  • Insist on a cold start: 5 to 30 seconds of metallic rattle from the timing side is suspect
  • Check the oil level and the service book: with a low level or worn oil the tensioner loses pressure
  • Ask whether the chain kit (chain plus tensioner plus guides) was replaced: ask for the invoice
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

Easytronic: automated manual gearbox, clutch and shift actuator

expensive

The Opel Easytronic is not a conventional automatic: it is an ordinary manual gearbox in which electric actuators operate the clutch and change gear. There is no torque converter, and the drive breaks for a moment when it shifts.

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The typical faults are: clutch and shift actuator failure, clutch wear, and lost adaptation values. Symptoms: jerking when pulling away, delayed or harsh shifts, an "F" warning, a stuck gear, and no creep.

Removal and refurbishment often come to 2,500 to 3,000 euro. On an old Corsa or Astra that can cost more than the car. A software update and an oil change sometimes help if it only jerks, but an actuator fault means replacing the part.

between 80,000 and 180,000 km2,500–3,000 EUR

What to check

  • Try it cold and warm: pulling away, creep, 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 shifts. Jerking or delay is suspect
  • Watch for the "F" or gearbox warning on the dash
  • Ask for a fault code read with Opel compatible diagnostics (not just generic OBD): actuator codes of the P1607 / P1728 / P1729 kind
3 more steps in the write-up

Astra H: M32 six speed manual, bearing and synchro wear

expensive

In the Astra H diesel range, on the Z17DTH engine, two manual gearboxes were available: the five speed F23 and the six speed M32.

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The known weakness of the M32 is wear of the bearings and the synchro rings: a whine while driving, a stiff shift, especially 3rd to 4th. Replacement or a rebuild is expensive.

between 100,000 and 200,000 km

What to check

  • Count the gears: 6 raises the M32 suspicion on this engine group; 5 means more likely the F23
  • When warm, at 80 to 100 km/h, listen for gearbox whine: a noise that rises with the revs is suspect
  • Try the 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 shifts cold and warm: binding, scratchiness
1 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Opel Astra Van 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX Design Edition

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

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Engine and transmission

A13DTE · 1.3 CDTI (ecoFLEX)

70 kW (95 HP) · diesel

M32 · 6-speed manual, transverse (Opel/GM M32)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit320 Nm
MakerOpel/GM

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Van 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX Design Edition
Body
van
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1248 cc
Power
70 kW (95 HP)
Drive
FWD
Production
2012–2016

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All J versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms