My Vauxhall Astra

[louise_heels]

Hello Jenny

Have you still got your Astra or have you changed it? If you're still driving it hope it's coping alright with the autumnal weather.

Louise

[Jenny G]

Hi Louise, and everyone else,

Yes, I still have my Astra, and it still has its moments, but I seem to have learned how to deal with it a little better now. It's still a bit of an embarrassing battle most mornings though, and the neighbours find it quite amusing I think!

j xx

[anderson]

Hello jenny

This is my first post just wondering has there been anyone in the car with you when you were having car trouble and were you embarrased

[Jenny G]

Hi,
I'm usually on my own, driving either to or from work. I sometimes give a friend a lift home. I'm always embarrassed when it plays up, irrespective of whether somebody is with me, especially in bus traffic.
J xx

[anderson]

Hello jenny

Thanks for replying whats the worst situation you have ever had with your astra. My clio is ok but suffered a frozen engine last year in the snow and ice

[youngpedal]

Hey jen ,

Im 23 and just bought a p reg corsa. i have similar problems, would love to chat on IM or Email some time. hope to hear back from you

M xx

[Jenny G]

Hi everyone,
Just got back on here. I still have my Astra, and I still have problems! However I seem to have learned how to use the choke successfully, combined with some pumping or whatever to get it going. I know Gerald disagrees, but I've found the best way to start it in the morning is full choke and hold the accelerator to the floor, then pump quickly when it starts to catch - the risk being that it sometimes gets very flooded!
And on driving in heels - always, never less than 4.5"!!!
Jen

[AnneCook]

Hi Jenny,

Yeah I do!!! but I can understand that it might work because its all about timing.

Pumping obviously gives gas,

Choke gives a richer mixture (basically more gas)

Foot held flat clears the carb of gas .

So you have two plusses and a minus going on.

My opinion is that if you found the right number of pumps before you pull the choke out and try you would get a start quicker.

Hopefully once this damp weather is out of the way you should be in a drier warmer time when its easier anyway

Good luck and best wishes as always

G

[Jenny G]

Hi Gerald,
I have sometimes pumped the pedal a couple of times before trying to start it, but I will try it more deliberately if you think it's worth a try. Thanks, J

[Jenny G]

Just reporting back! Pumping before I try to start my car seems to help a little. About 5 pumps seems best, before pulling the choke out and trying to start it with the pedal pushed fully down.
Jen

[AnneCook]

Hi Jenny,

So have you tried without the foot fully down or are you reluctant to

Hope this damp isnt aggravating it too


as ever

G

[Jenny G]

Hi Gerald,
I've tried without my foot fully down, but it just seems to crank with no signs of life. After 3 or 4 attempts with my foot down it usually starts to catch, then I can usually get it running with some fast pumping.
It's been OK in the recent rain, although I stalled at a mini roundabout after work on Monday and it took ages to get it started again - my fault completely I think.
J xx

[AnneCook]

Hi Jenny,

I'm glad that you seem always to get there.

see what happens if you only do one or two pumps then full choke.


I wish could see it for myself but I'm East midlands.

Good luck
G
xx

[youngpedal]

Hi J.
Glad to hear your coping better with your Astra. Love the fact it has to be high heels. That's not what's causes you to stall is it ? Best wishes M xx