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Hi All, I have fallen for a rather tasty Opel Monza GSE and would very much like to make it part of my life ;D Having been to see it at the weekend I'm very pleased with the overall condition BUT the engine is noisy in the top end  the seller has explained that as it hadn't been started since passing it's MoT in Nov the noise is coming from the hydraulic tappets and will clear with a good run. Unfortunately I couldn't drive it or even leave it to warm up as it didn't have enough petrol in it  Can anyone confirm or deny this as being the case? It's done 142k miles but the rest of the car has been cared for so well (the interior is close to immaculate) that I doubt this is a factor.. Any help or tips on what I should look for when buying a Monza would be much appreciated as I'd really like to bring it home (if I can sell my Benz)  Thank you! HC. |
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Last Edit: Feb 3, 2010 19:49:46 GMT by HARDCORE
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If it hasn't been started since November, i'd guess that the noise is definately coming from the hydraulic lifters. I have the same problem with my 3.0 12v Carlton, which can spend a couple of months at a time stood unused.
Basically, the oil drains away from the lifters over an extended period and takes time to refill when the engine is started. This will lead to a very noticable clattering, but the noise will usually stop after about 5 or 10 minutes of running. If the noise persists after the engine is fully warmed, then one of the lifters may be stuck.
The 12v's can also be a little prone to the valve clearences being out of adjustment. This is quite easy to sort as they are adjustable (in a similar way to pushrod engines), although you are meant to do this when the engine is running so it can get a little messy without the rocker cover on!!
Make sure than any noise is coming from the valve gear and not the timing chain though. The chain is at the front of the engine. It's a duplex chain on the 12v's (24v's only got a simplex chain), I very much doubt it is the chain but it is possible. Far more likely to be the lifters or the valve clearences.
142k is nothing for these engines. I've known them do double that mileage without any bother at all.
Got any pictures?!!!
p.s., your Merc looks as hard as nails, wish i had the cash!!
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CIH
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,466
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Yeah, great engines and generally more sturdy than the (admittadly awesome) 24v-ers. It's heavy old chunk of iron though....
A couple of the Manta dudes run 6cyl CIHs. May be worth asking on there, and probably total carlton-assuming it's still up not been into GM for ages.
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Thanks guys - I appreciate the replies. I'll give the seller a ring and see about going back for another look Are there any other Monza specific areas I should be looking at or things to look out for? Can you test drive a car that doesn't have tax on it? I have drive any car insurance & it's MoT'd.. Thanks again ;D HC. |
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bigrod
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,654
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Are there any other Monza specific areas I should be looking at or things to look out for? RUST!! www.retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=36946Admittedly, this is a very bad example, but it'll give you an idea of where to look. Mechanically though they're fairly bombproof. Can you test drive a car that doesn't have tax on it? I have drive any car insurance & it's MoT'd.. Thanks again ;D HC. Yes if you avoid the rozzers and/or ANPR cameras. It is technically illegal. |
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If I have to explain, you won't understand.
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Bloomin eck! I've just read through your thread (all 11 pages!) - you've done some serious work there dude! How's she standing now? Looks like I'm gonna need to give this one a thorough looking over cos I'm after something that can be quickly put into service, not a project (got quite enough of them, lol!) Will post up some pics in a sec.. Yes if you avoid the rozzers and/or ANPR cameras. It is technically illegal. Hmmm, I thought as much. What a PITA! HC. |
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Pics:     Niiiiiiiiice Anyone wanna buy my Benz? HC. |
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The biggest problem with these is rust, mechanically they are fairly bombproof.
!st place to check is the front suspension turret tops. don't just check for rust, also check that the gap between the turret and the inner wing is the same on both sides. If one is noticable larger than the other then there will be problems underneath. The sills have plastic covers on and they do rust. Kind of difficult to check though without removing the covers. Check the rear valence under the plastic bumper. Rear arches can get crusty although not as bad as the later Senators. Also, if you can get underneath, then check the rear trailing arm spring seats and the front chassis rails. The chassis rails have a habit of rotting between the engine subframe mounts, meaning that the subframe has to come out for it to be repaired!
Does it have ABS? If so, then it will have strengthening plates between the front turrets and the inner wing. These do help stop the movement, but they can still go rotten in between!
did you get any underbonnet pictures?
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!st place to check is the front suspension turret tops. don't just check for rust, also check that the gap between the turret and the inner wing is the same on both sides. If one is noticable larger than the other then there will be problems underneath. Duly noted! It had a patch between 1 turret & the inner wing for the MoT in Nov & I expect the other side will want doing too at some point. Fortunately it doesn't look too hard to get at & I think I'm right in saying these have bolt-on wings? (my Manta certainly does..) I'll check/measure the gap between the turrets & inner wings next time. The sills have plastic covers on and they do rust. Kind of difficult to check though without removing the covers. Check the rear valence under the plastic bumper. Rear arches can get crusty although not as bad as the later Senators. Also, if you can get underneath, then check the rear trailing arm spring seats and the front chassis rails. The chassis rails have a habit of rotting between the engine subframe mounts, meaning that the subframe has to come out for it to be repaired! I'm sure I'll be able to get underneath ok (it's on hardstanding & the guy breaks cars so will have a jack) so will have a good look at all of those places - thank you! Does it have ABS? If so, then it will have strengthening plates between the front turrets and the inner wing. These do help stop the movement, but they can still go rotten in between! I don't know 100% but I don't think so. Pretty sure it doesn't did you get any underbonnet pictures? Sure did:   Thanks again dude HC. |
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check the rear spring seat cups very carefully to!!! part of the trailing arm, can be rebuilt but its a pain !!l
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check the rear spring seat cups very carefully to!!! part of the trailing arm, can be rebuilt but its a pain !!l Thanks dude - added to the checklist! HC. |
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Ive seen that one on pistonheads for quite a while. Was tempted myself i must admit. I think the manta would get jelous and give up if i bought something like that!!!!
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1987 Opel manta GT 2.0 16v
1976 Opel manta s project
1985 Opel Rekord E 2.2i
1992 Vauxhall Carlton 2.3TD
1989 Mercury Grand Marquis
2005 Landrover discovery 3
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Ive seen that one on pistonheads for quite a while. Was tempted myself I must admit. I think the manta would get jelous and give up if I bought something like that!!!! I won't be giving up the Manta, no way! This would be a daily for me - Benzo would have to go though.. |
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bigrod
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,654
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Looks like a nice car. I like the white ones.
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If I have to explain, you won't understand.
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the seller has explained that as it hadn't been started since passing it's MoT in Nov the noise is coming from the hydraulic tappets and will clear with a good run. Unfortunately I couldn't drive it or even leave it to warm up as it didn't have enough petrol in it 
