Opel Corsa Utility Problem

[R13...]

So, I got an Opel Corsa Util 1.4.
The car has this problem where on long distance driving (>200km), it'll suddenly start losing power (limping). The brakes feel suddenly hard, and it'll limp then jerk out of it every several kilometers. On my last drive last week, it actually lost power and stopped (luckily I could go off the road and park safely on the side). I must add that the check engine light had come up, but that went off on successful restart and stayed off.

It then wouldn't immediately start. I wanted 10/15mins pondering a tow truck when on another attempt it suddenly started. Prior to this it went limp on me for about 100km on a long distance trip. It didn't stall then just limped. I then pushed until I could refuel, and on restart, the limp mode disappeared.

I took the car to a workshop I trust and the guy says he can't find any fault. He plugged it in and nothing comes up. I have recently had to replace fuel pump (my fault for constantly driving with the fuel low light on out of laziness).

It is similar to this guy or girl,

https://www.fixya.com/cars/t11521049-opel_corsa_dies_down_during_driving

 

[Dimpie (JIGSAW)]

How clean is that engine compartment?
Get some switch cleaner spray from places like Midas ... unplug all electrical plugs and give then a spray (both ends) and plug back ... do them ALL. Solved intermittent problem for me more than once.

Otherwise that guy from that workshop ... did he plug in his diagnostic device/laptop and actually took the vehicle for a long distance drive? ... If not... let him do it .. go with him if you can or ask if you can keep it plugged in for your next trip and note down any codes when it starts to limp.

 

[soulie]

check all the earths .every single one .add one from battery to engine and battery to chassis any wire will do for the test then try again .

 

[R13...]

How clean is that engine compartment?
Get some switch cleaner spray from places like Midas ... unplug all electrical plugs and give then a spray (both ends) and plug back ... do them ALL. Solved intermittent problem for me more than once.

Otherwise that guy from that workshop ... did he plug in his diagnostic device/laptop and actually took the vehicle for a long distance drive? ... If not... let him do it .. go with him if you can or ask if you can keep it plugged in for your next trip and note down any codes when it starts to limp.

He did plug it in but apparently nothing showed up. He didn't do a long distance test drive it's not exactly practical the guy has to run a workshop.

 

[Dimpie (JIGSAW)]

I actually took mine to Autoworks. They then took it for a drive up the N1 towards Wocester with their laptop plugged in.

 

[TheChamp]

Did it have this problem before replacing the fuel pump? Did you also replace the relay with the pump?

It sounds fuel related, having gone through that fuel pump and relay exercise I would advise you to stick around there, it's a good sign if it's not showing anything on the diagnostic.

If your guy could get a fuel pressure tester, maybe that's a good place to start, but it would need to be at the time it's doing the limping thing.

 

[R13...]

Did it have this problem before replacing the fuel pump?

No. Fuel pump problem only cropped up when I got stuck, but just before then the car did seem to be struggling with power but I could tell that was fuel related.

 

[TheChamp]

No. Fuel pump problem only cropped up when I got stuck, but just before then the car did seem to be struggling with power but I could tell that was fuel related.

I have edited the post but maybe start trying the easy and cheap solutions, since the pump is new and we assume the replacement was done right, try replacing the fuel relay, they also do go bad, I recently learnt that they could also fail intermittently, all along I though the relay either works or it doesn't.

Mine died some time ago, and since the fuel pump has been noisy for a while and there was no fuel at the rail I automatically assumed it was it, what a chore to replace but I got it done, car still couldn't start, ended up getting relay from Midas, car started and worked fine for about two weeks then started the lack of power and jerking thing. Drove it like that for some time while pondering a solution, turns out the Midas relay was working but not really working. Goldwagen relay fixed the issue.

 

[Tongs of Destiny]

water in the fuel? or diesel...

see if you can drain and flush the whole fuel system.

do you know how full your tank was when it start jerking off

 

[R13...]

I have edited the post but maybe start trying the easy and cheap solutions, since the pump is new and we assume the replacement was done right, try replacing the fuel relay, they also do go bad, I recently learnt that they could also fail intermittently, all along I though the relay either works or it doesn't.

Mine died some time ago, and since the fuel pump has been noisy for a while and there was no fuel at the rail I automatically assumed it was it, what a chore to replace but I got it done, car still couldn't start, ended up getting relay from Midas, car started and worked fine for about two weeks then started the lack of power and jerking thing. Drove it like that for done time while pondering a solution, turns out the Midas relay was working but not really working. Goldwagen relay fixed the issue.

My problem only manifests in long distance drives though. Okay, granted it only happened on two occasions but there's an issue for sure. I'll try it though can't hurt.