Vauxhall Corsa Corsa D 1.2 85bhp — Throttle Body Contamination and Rough Idle
The Corsa D 1.2 petrol suffers from throttle body contamination from crankcase vapours. Carbon and oil deposits coat the throttle blade and idle control passages, causing hunting idle and poor response.
Severity
MinorDIY Difficulty
Easy
Est. Cost
£50–£200
OBD Codes
P0506P0507Engine
Typical layout and location for the Engine assembly.
Symptoms
- Hunting or fluctuating idle (revs rise and fall)
- Poor throttle response at low speeds
- Hesitation on light acceleration
- P0506 or P0507 idle control fault codes
Root Cause
The PCV system routes crankcase vapour through the throttle body. Over time, the oil in the vapour deposits carbon on the throttle blade and the air bypass channels, restricting airflow at idle.
How To Fix
- Remove the throttle body (2-4 bolts on most variants)
- Clean with carb cleaner and a cotton bud — be thorough around the blade edge
- Do not use harsh metal scrapers — damage the blade coating
- Throttle body relearn procedure needed after cleaning on some variants
- DIY job: 1 hour. Cost: just a can of carb cleaner
Estimated Repair Costs
| Repair Option | Est. Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|
| DIY (parts only) | £20–£80 |
| Independent Garage | £50–£200 |
| Main Dealership | £80–£320 |
Other Faults on This Variant
Coolant Loss and Head Gasket Failure
SevereThe Z12XE and Z12XEP 1.2-litre petrol engine in the Corsa D is known for coolant loss. In many cases this escalates to head gasket failure if not caught early.
Oil Pressure Switch Leak
ModerateThe oil pressure switch frequently fails internally, leaking engine oil directly into the electrical wiring loom.
Heater Blower Resistor Failure
MinorThe interior heater blower motor only works on speed setting 4. Settings 1, 2, and 3 are completely dead.
Disclaimer: Repair cost estimates are indicative and based on community data. Always get a quote from a qualified mechanic before proceeding with any repair.