Chevrolet Optra Engine maintenance

[Kklee]

Thanks Goodcar & Kklee for your info. Reason I asked about temp is because my opel since new gives a very high reading like 100c and sometimes a little more when stuck in traffic. Always try to avoid heavy traffic situation. I told myself the next car I get must not have this problem. Tried to attach a third fan in front of radiator but space too narrow.

cheers.

 

If it is designed as such, there is very little you can do about it. Like on the Optra sedan, the cooling system is somehow linked with the aircon. With the aircon off, the coolant temperature can reach almost 100 degC before the twin electric fan kicks in the cool it down rapid to just above 90 degC.

 

What you probably can try is to buy one or two large bottle of distilled water from the supermarket and replace the equivalent amount of coolant. IIRC, more water = better heat transfer. Alternatively, you can look into Redline water wetter.

 

Use of a good lighter weight engine oil (w30) helps too.

[Kklee]

OIC, Maybe becos the old OPEL are not tropicalise for our market.

Hopefully not all the conti car here are tropicalise

 

But I am confident that the Optra has been tropicalise. China has sold more then 2 million Optra to date and the summer is hotter than here.

 

IMHO, I don't think the Optra is tropicalised, at least, for Singapore - there is actually a hose that route the hot coolant to the throttle body heating it up to above 60 degC. With my limited knowledge, perhaps suitable for countries with cooler or cold temperature but doesn't seem logical for Singapore.

 

Also, the conventional top-up water type of battery is suitable for hot climate. The Optra can come with one but I don' think the dealer is offering them for replacement. MF type is not really long lasting. I paid close to $200 for a Varta and less than a year, it died. Not sure if my usage has got anything to do with it.

 

 

[DOG]

Thanks guys. The opel has two fans. When aircon compressor cuts in both fans will run. If aircon not in use or when compressor cuts out then only one fan will run when engine temp reached a preset level. I guess the problem lies with the fan's cooling power. In some cars I was told the cooling fan has two speed. It switches to a higher speed once engine temp reaches a preset level otherwise it will spin at a slower speed.

[Yeobh]

Due to aerodynamic design, the transverse engine will seat in such a manner that the rear portion is higher than the radiator.Even by locating the bleeding screw at highest position, there will bubbles ( air lock) trapped due to bending hoses and pipes.

To overcome this filling problem, there is special vacuuming gun designed for filling and removing air lock in less than few seconds. This idea originate from the car assemble lines.

[Kklee]

Thanks guys. The opel has two fans. When aircon compressor cuts in both fans will run. If aircon not in use or when compressor cuts out then only one fan will run when engine temp reached a preset level. I guess the problem lies with the fan's cooling power. In some cars I was told the cooling fan has two speed. It switches to a higher speed once engine temp reaches a preset level otherwise it will spin at a slower speed.

 

I think very similar to the Optra. The Optra has two fans, with one larger than the other having 2 speeds.

Does the Opel has an always on AC compressor and climate control ?

[Yeobh]

For some european cars , there are two water temp sensors - one for low and the high temp sensing. If the high temp sensor is not fuctioning properly, chances yr car cooling fan will not rotate at high speed.

[DOG]

I think very similar to the Optra. The Optra has two fans, with one larger than the other having 2 speeds.

Does the Opel has an always on AC compressor and climate control ?

The compressor cuts in and out depending on temp in the cabin. No climate control. This is a old car hence looking for replacement at the moment. Read awhile back in this chevy forum someone also has high temp problem with the optra. How's the aftersales service from AD. Heard they are going to discontinue the optra.

[GoodCar]

If it is designed as such, there is very little you can do about it. Like on the Optra sedan, the cooling system is somehow linked with the aircon. With the aircon off, the coolant temperature can reach almost 100 degC before the twin electric fan kicks in the cool it down rapid to just above 90 degC.

 

What you probably can try is to buy one or two large bottle of distilled water from the supermarket and replace the equivalent amount of coolant. IIRC, more water = better heat transfer. Alternatively, you can look into Redline water wetter.

 

Use of a good lighter weight engine oil (w30) helps too.

 

 

OIC, Look like this car is very suitable for 4 season country. With aircon off, the coolant temperature increase so that we can tap heat for cabin heating during winter.

 

I remember my SE has reminded to to keep the aircon always on and keep it at the low end of the blue bar because the compressor operate full time. I have been following this operating mood since day one. I guess this is why I never have flutuation of my temperature gauge. hehe......I shall try later on to see any significant temp rise with aircon off.

 

Learn a lot from you guys ....many thanks.

 

BTW, can I confirm that the engine mount is hydraulic engine mount? How will I know when to replace it?

 

As for engine oil, the manual recommend 40 or 50 oil only base on our local temperature.

Using 30 oil will the viscosity below extremely low on very hot day in the noon?

[GoodCar]

Due to aerodynamic design, the transverse engine will seat in such a manner that the rear portion is higher than the radiator.Even by locating the bleeding screw at highest position, there will bubbles ( air lock) trapped due to bending hoses and pipes.

To overcome this filling problem, there is special vacuuming gun designed for filling and removing air lock in less than few seconds. This idea originate from the car assemble lines.

 

 

OIC, thanks

[Kklee]

The compressor cuts in and out depending on temp in the cabin. No climate control. This is a old car hence looking for replacement at the moment. Read awhile back in this chevy forum someone also has high temp problem with the optra. How's the aftersales service from AD. Heard they are going to discontinue the optra.

 

 

At least for the Opel there's thermostat control. Optra uses an always on compressor but without climate control. Some reported the aircon piping freeze during long distances. I guess can say though the temp is high, it's not much of an issue as the bigger fan will kick in to cool things down. There is only one and only AD now which I had no experience. Mine was Starsauto. Do check out the servicing price is you intend to keep warranty . So far I have not heard of any replacement for Estate. The Cruze replaces the Optra.

[Kklee]

OIC, Look like this car is very suitable for 4 season country. With aircon off, the coolant temperature increase so that we can tap heat for cabin heating during winter.

 

I remember my SE has reminded to to keep the aircon always on and keep it at the low end of the blue bar because the compressor operate full time. I have been following this operating mood since day one. I guess this is why I never have flutuation of my temperature gauge. hehe......I shall try later on to see any significant temp rise with aircon off.

 

Learn a lot from you guys ....many thanks.

 

BTW, can I confirm that the engine mount is hydraulic engine mount? How will I know when to replace it?

 

As for engine oil, the manual recommend 40 or 50 oil only base on our local temperature.

Using 30 oil will the viscosity below extremely low on very hot day in the noon?

 

You won't see any fluctuation on the temp gauge usually. I have an Scangauge II which provided the additonal data.

Then you should bring it up Genting Highlands. I intended to go but never got around doing so.

 

I think it's hydro mount not hydralic. Pieces of info all over the places indicates that if you steering vibrates, the mounts are going.

 

Must get those good quality engine oil like Redline. Their w30 very close to a w40. For me, I w30 and w40, a bit improve in FC.

My Optra has expensive taste..... don't seem to be able to take c-----e 5w40.

 

[GoodCar]

You won't see any fluctuation on the temp gauge usually. I have an Scangauge II which provided the additonal data.

Then you should bring it up Genting Highlands. I intended to go but never got around doing so.

 

I think it's hydro mount not hydralic. Pieces of info all over the places indicates that if you steering vibrates, the mounts are going.

 

Must get those good quality engine oil like Redline. Their w30 very close to a w40. For me, I w30 and w40, a bit improve in FC.

My Optra has expensive taste..... don't seem to be able to take c-----e 5w40.

 

 

I have "cheong" twice to Camaron highland with full load, didn't really notice the change in temperature gauge.

 

However, I do notice that this car is quite drivable even in high altitude.

 

From Camaron to Penang, there is also a long stretch of road at higher altitude, The engine seems to handle quite well

 

In my old ESI, I can feel the car out of breath at higher altitude, this optra not so obvious

Edited October 31, 2009 by GoodCar

[Kklee]

I have "cheong" twice to Camaron highland with full load, didn't really notice the change in temperature gauge.

 

However, I do notice that this car is quite drivable even in high altitude.

 

From Camaron to Penang, there is also a long stretch of road at higher altitude, The engine seems to handle quite well

 

In my old ESI, I can feel the car out of breath at higher altitude, this optra not so obvious

 

Eh... there is nothing wrong with the temperature, just high only.

Maybe it's the car for all season and very drivable for long distances.

 

[GoodCar]

Eh... there is nothing wrong with the temperature, just high only.

Maybe it's the car for all season and very drivable for long distances.

 

 

 

I sounds like I am trying to defense my ride...haha....forgive me!

[Kklee]

Got meh?

[Nesh]

BEWARE OF RDY ( Research Development Yes) Autocare @ Autopoint #02-02.: SCAMS / CHEATS / DAYLIGHT ROBBERY !!!!24/05/2011

There was a loud noise from my Chevrolet (Chevy Optra) engine and the engine dies but I managed to start the car and drive back home of about 25 KM. Next morning at 9am started & drove the car out of the car park and got it towed to RDY (First time using their services). at about 9:30 and was told by RDY Staff, Kenny car has arrived and I specifically mentioned I just needed Timing belt service package as follows:

Package includes:

1) 1pc timing belt

2) 1pc timing tensioner

3) 1pc idler bearing

4) 1pc water pump

5) 1pc water pump 'O' ring

6) Renew coolant using OWS coolant

7) Labour inclusive

Special Price: S$438.00

Above taken from their website , link as follows : http://www.rdyautocare.com/index.php?main_...ef074f4b16853a5

He said ok, and after 1 hour I called back and he told me that the engine is damaged need to do

[Memphis1972]

:o Thanks for the feedback, I almost want to go for my major 60k service .

So, if that's the case, what other company is great. There seems to be none.

[5936]

Sorry for the bad experience.

 

Good that you share this around.

 

It could be this wksp or any others.