[notamondayfan]

Thanks for your reply and makes sense it being a blockage rather than an worn bottom end. Will get her up on ramps asap.

Thanks for confirming the oil, I'll stick with what Halfords recommends which was 5w30.

By the way, which UK forum are you referring to?

Thanks, Dean

 

[notamondayfan]

Just reading the manual, and it says to remove the sump (oil pan) you have to remove the front engine cover, is this just a case of loosening it as I presume it must slightly overlap the sump edge?

 

[notamondayfan]

For the "blind nut hole" do you mean to do this to break the seal on the gasket? On previous cars I have found a scraper like you say, or a gentle nudge to give it some movement works.

For the engine cover, the manual points to the cover over the timing belt and other parts down the side of the engine, which I think would need to come off if completely removing the oil pump, but for just removing the strainer, I don't know if this will be totally necessary. I guess Ill figure most of this out once I get under her.

I have just bought this oil as recommended by halfords, should do the trick?
Halfords | Halfords 5W30 Vauxhall/Opel GM Fully Synthetic Oil 5L

By the way will my 2004 car have a DPF?

Cheers, Dean

 

[notamondayfan]

Thanks Dave, all sorted now! The pick-up was almost all covered in hard black deposits, only the top 5 - 10 mm was clear so no wonders it wasnt getting enough oil! I can't understand the logic of the strainer being there, as you would hope the filter would keep the oil in good condition. I saw no other signs of engine wear when I cleaned the sump, so hopefully no damage has been done.

Not a job ideally suited to the driveway and axel stands but got it all done and now no sign of the warning light!

Also, the engine warning light has gone out which was showing the EGR valve problem, which is strange, but I'm not complaining!! Maybe a fresh load of good oil has improved the emmisions?

Anyway, cheers!!

 

[notamondayfan]

Cheers for the advice! I ran the car up to normal temp and saw no leaks, so finger crossed!
To be honest I really cleaned up the sump and bottom of the block, removing all old gasket, which took bloody ages, so hopefully I got a good seal. I don't know what the previous guy used, but it was some tough stuff, definitely not gasket seal anyway!