Corsa-B.uk - Vauxhall, Opel and Holden Corsa B Owners Club

Hiya guys!

Lady Corsa B Owner sayin hello, and would anyone be able to help me please?

V Reg Corsa 1.2 GLS 5dr

Mine has just failed the MOT on a number of issues, most of which I intend to try and fix myself as im on a very tight budget

I need to ask a few questions, mostly relating to the MOT Failures, but also the first one to get it out of the way is the startewr motor

Seems to make a clanging or tinny sound everytime I start the car. It works fine, but I intend to sell this one to get a newer one, and if I started this up when I came to look at it, I might be put off!

Ok... mot Q's

1) Drivers Seatbelts frayed, im happy to fit a good condition used one, but do I have to get all of the assembly, or part of it, and does it require special tools to remove and refit?

2) Emissions were through the roof!! 4.2!! I've been told to get a Lambda sensor to start with, I've sorced a new one for £25.00 but he asked me is it multi wire or single? I dunno lol what is it? How easy again is it to fit I wouldnt even know (For now) where it is!! Would it benefit from a new air Filter?

3) Brakes Ok this ones my fault I fear, but if I have researched correctly, I might be wrong lol. The front pads were pretty much touching metal, so I replaced them, pushing the caliper pistons in and I didnt release the nipples DOH! When I retried the brakes after fitting they were very spongy, and they failed the MOT. Someone advised me that it could require a new Master Cylinder as I may have damaged the seals? BUT....... with the engine off and the handbrake released, the pedal when pushed DOESNT go down to the floor. it goes half way or a little more. So this I HOPE means the M/S is ok, maybe it needs bleeding? This is again something I have never done, so any advice appreciated!

4) Offside rear Brake cable. Going to cost me a fiver, but again, never attempted how difficult will it be?

Last one for now.....

5) REARDRUM AND SHOE ASSEMBLY! lol.... needs to be checked for leaks and I want to check the shoes anyway, apparently if I remove an refit the shoes I need to reset the self adjuster? HOW LOL. also, what size is the nut with the split pin through it I dont seem to have a socket or spanner big enough

Sorry, lots of questions I know, but im desperate to get it done, cannot really afford to pay someone to do it, and I think with the right guidance I could achieve it... so its up to you lot.... no pressure

Jules

Hey and welcomes jules!!!

All that has just really confused me! But if you went to say like the scrap yard told them everything you need what make you're car is etc. I'm sure they would help you??

Also don't you have any guy mates......?

An don't kwik fit do free brake tests?

Hello welcome to the forum.
There is a good bit of work your going to need to do and I suggest that you go buy yourself a haynes manual, That will explain clearly everything that you need to do with pictures.

1) drivers seatbelt I would go to a scrap yard for one of these the guys that work in scrap yards are ussualy very help full and may even fit it for you, It will just be the belt it come attacehed to the springy bit see here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CORSA-B-3-DOOR-DR ... 1|294%3A50

2) New Lambda (O2) sensor should bring down emmission but there is no gaurantee it could be that you need a new CAT, also new air filter sould bring emmission down abit. I have allways gone for a drive down the motorway in 4th gear before an MOT, the high revs force more air through the exhaust and can blow the muck out of the CAT don't realy have much evidence that it works though.
The Lambda sensor is located at the front of the engine and will be screwed into the exhaust or manifold not too sure on the wires.

3) To test the master cylinder push slowly on the brakes if the pedle gradualy finds itsway to the floor then the seals are gone. Bleeding the brakes can be a pain you can get a bleeding kit from any local car parts shop or halfords about £5 it basicaly a bit of clear tube and a clear bottle. you will need to read a haynes manual for the correct procedure for bleeding the brakes.

4) brake cable I haven't done one but can't imagine it being difficult, offside is driverside.

5) be carfull when working on the rear brakes as you need to release the hand brake so put bricks infront and behind at least one of the fron wheels, also the jack in the boot of the car is an emergency jack and I use it to hold my car up for more than 1hour, theyre only small and I don't trust them.
I'm not sure on the size of the nut I went and bought a big anjustable spanner when I took mine off, A haynes manual will show pictures and give a better description than me of the shoes, but if there is a leak its most likely to be from a piston a garage did mine for £35 not sure how much the part is to buy.

I hope this helps i'm sory most most of my reply says buy a haynes manual but they are very good and I know they are £15 but they are worth it.

Hi welcome to the site.

The seat belt is held at the bottom by a plastic cap that you unclip and thebn unhook the bar (think there is a nut aswell which needs removing with a socket. At the top you will need to take off the B pillar. Held on with 1 or 2 torx bits. You will ideally need to remobe the Cpillar and rear quater panel fabric cover to be able to take off easy and fit etc. The seat belt at the top is held on by a 20 or 22mm screw. Again socket needed.

The Lamba sensor is located at the front of the engine. As you look at the engine bay from the front you should just see the grille/fan. then the engine. It is between the these with a wire going to it. Life the plastic tubing up and count the wires that go to the sensor. This will give you the 1 or 4 wire answer you need. It is a cylinder tube with these wires coming out the top of it which screws into the bottom section of the engine/exhaust. (where it screws in looks roundish, well mine does). Also buy some injector cleaner put it in a near full tank of fuel the day or two before and blast it up the motorway or A roads for a few junctions etc. This should then help to clean the injectors. Again on way to MOT give it a good blast.

I've had probs with my emitions for last 3-4 years. This year doing what said above with the injector cleaner it passed first time.

Hope these help