I have recently purchased a Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi (02 reg) and when I start it first thing in the morning it starts first time and ticks over fine.When I go to drive it, it will rev up to about 1200 revs and start to splutter/miss, I then have to change up to 2nd till it reaches about the same revs when I have to keep changing up to a higher gear. This only happens for about 2/3 miles until the temp gauge is at normal when it runs perfectly from then on all day.Even when the engine is switched off for hours during the day it starts and runs perfectly, it is only first thing in the morning. I have drained the fuel filter and cleaned out the bowl and fitted new fuel filter with no difference. CAN YOU HELP ME SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ?

Jim Ferguson, October 2006

If its an isuzu engine its the shims. These are like little buttons which affect the valve timing on the hydrolic tappets. Vauxhall did mine on my old cavalier for about £50.00 (same engine). What happens is the shims wear down and alter valve timing this lets pressure leak from the engine. Then it doesn't get full compression wont start when cold and runs like a donkey til its warm. Once they are warm the starting pressure is easier to get as the oil is thinner and parts move more easily so they can crank up pressure quickly enough to start. when its cold the oil is thick and engine turns more slowly just slow enough for the pressure to escape before starting simple-hope this helps -its a really specialist job best let the garage do it as you need very specialist tools. One its done the car will be like new.-Darron

Darron Nixon, October 2006