Opel Corsa B 1993–2000 Service and Repair Manual: General information

The main body structure is a welded construction of individually shaped panels which make up a 'monocoque' bodyshell, without a separate chassis. Various areas are strengthened to provide for suspension, steering and engine attachments and load distribution. The whole shell is very strong and rigid for its weight.

The front wings are bolted in position and can be renewed without special equipment.

Interior fittings are of an extremely high standard, even on basic models.

Maintenance - bodywork and underframe

1. The general condition of a vehicle's bodywork is the one thing that significantly affects its value. Maintenance is easy but needs to be regular. Neglect, particularly after minor damage, can lead quickly to further deterioration and costly repair bills. It is important also to keep watch on those parts of the vehicle not immediately visible, for instance the underside, inside all the wheel arches and the lower part of the engine compartment.

2. The basic maintenance routine for the bodywork is washing preferably with a lot of water, from a hose. This will remove all the loose solids which may have stuck to the vehicle. It is important to flush these off in such a way as to prevent grit from scratching the finish. The wheel arches and underframe need washing in the same way to remove any accumulated mud which will retain moisture and tend to encourage rust. Strange as it may seem, the best time to clean the underframe and wheel arches is in wet weather when the mud is thoroughly wet and soft. In very wet weather the underframe is usually cleaned of large accumulations automatically and this is a good time for inspection.

3. Periodically, except on vehicles with a waxbased underbody protective coating, it is a good idea to have the whole of the underframe of the vehicle steam cleaned, engine compartment included, so that a thorough inspection can be carried out to see what minor repairs and renovations are necessary. Steam cleaning is available at many garages and is necessary for removal of the accumulation of oily grime which sometimes is allowed to become thick in certain areas. If steam cleaning facilities are not available, there are one or two excellent grease solvents available which can be brush applied. The dirt can then be simply hosed off.

Note that these methods should not be used on vehicles with wax-based underbody protective coating or the coating will be removed. Such vehicles should be inspected annually, preferably just prior to winter, when the underbody should be washed down and any damage to the wax coating repaired.

Ideally, a completely fresh coat should be applied. It would also be worth considering the use of such wax-based protection for injection into door panels, sills, box sections, etc, as an additional safeguard against rust damage where such protection is not provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

4. After washing paintwork, wipe off with a chamois leather to give an unspotted clear finish. A coat of clear protective wax polish, will give added protection against chemical pollutants in the air. If the paintwork sheen has dulled or oxidised, use a cleaner/polisher combination to restore the brilliance of this shine. This requires a little effort, but such dulling is usually caused because regular washing has been neglected. Care needs to be taken with metallic paintwork, as special non abrasive cleaner/polisher is required to avoid damage to the finish. Always check that the door and sill drain holes and pipes are completely clear so that water can be drained out (see illustrations). Bright work should be treated in the same way as paint work.

Windscreens and windows can be kept clear of the smeary film which often appears, by the use of a proprietary glass cleaner. Never use any form of wax or other body or chromium polish on glass.

Door drain holes

Clearing a sill drain hole

Convertible

5. A manual or electrically operated hood is fitted to Convertible models. Maintenance of the hood and its operating mechanism is minimal, but the following points should be noted to ensure that the hood has a long life and is satisfactory in operation.

6. Before lowering the hood, make sure it is clean and dry and that the heated rear window is switched off. (Operating the heated rear window whilst the hood is lowered can cause permanent damage.)

7. Clean the hood regularly, using a soft brush, warm water and a mild detergent. Do not use strong detergents or solvents.

Stubborn stains can be removed with special products designed for cleaning plastics.

8. The use of automatic car washes is not recommended for convertible models, as there is a risk of introducing water between the layers of the hood fabric.

Maintenance - upholstery and carpets

Mats and carpets should be brushed or vacuum cleaned regularly to keep them free of grit. If they are badly stained remove them from the vehicle for scrubbing or sponging and make quite sure they are dry before refitting.

Seats and interior trim panels can be kept clean by wiping with a damp cloth and a proprietry car interior wax polish. If they do become stained (which can be more apparent on light coloured upholstery) use a little liquid detergent and a soft nail brush to scour the grime out of the grain of the material. Do not forget to keep the headlining clean in the same way as the upholstery. When using liquid cleaners inside the vehicle do not over-wet the surfaces being cleaned. Excessive damp could get into the seams and padded interior causing stains, offensive odours or even rot. If the inside of the vehicle gets wet accidentally it is worthwhile taking some trouble to dry it out properly, particularly where carpets are involved. Do not leave oil or electric heaters inside the vehicle for this purpose.