I'm not a noob yet.

[cheapo]

What years the Astra? 98- 05 ish? No surprise there if it is Soz,stick with the 306 if your on a budget like me! Free motoring overall really if you ain't planning on tuning it!
Start spending money on tuning and you will have to spend cash on maintenance anyway so if your skint fix it as you go and be glad it's not Audi or VW bills you're paying!
Didn't you see the news today?? The Tories just released a much bigger swearing quota to 95% of the population!

Astra was 2001, but the old 1.6l 8 valve engine. After trying a recon head, I discovered that the prob was lower down and had to call it a day.
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.MY306 IS A 1.6 8 VALVE ;-)
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Waaaahtt??!! I just this minute opened a letter from the council and is says my council tax account is in credit to the tune of £258 ! ! !    And that I can claim it back as a refund by phoning in!  I wish this was correct, but I don't think it is as they did the same thing with approx £145 about 3 months ago.
 Idiots. But I'll try it anyway. 

Scottish Power just told me today my elec was £48 in credit then when I asked him to put it on my meter he put me on hold for about 8 minutes and came back and said he had now raised it with an investigation team as he couldnt trace where it came from and I might get it back in 6-8 weeks and if not will probs end up with a bill for £48 instead :-(

That wouldn't surprise me.
 Luckiny for me, my wish came true! The council answered my call within 15 seconds!  I will receive a £258 cheque within the next 7 working days. 
I'm gobsmacked. Maybe I should put the money in a box on the shelf for a while, you know what I'm saying? But at least it means that the Pug's paid for!