Holden V8 GenIII

[Bomn]

This has to be as big a stuff up by Holden as the original 3.8 V6 engines that they fitted to VN Commodore from 1988.

Now you tell me. I just got a VN Commodore wagon with a V6. Is it really going to be as bad as a Gen III.

[Warwick]

Ok we deal with the local Holden dealer and the HSV mechanic tells me they are rebuilding heaps of these engines in all types of cars,mostly around the 10,000km mark for excess oil usage.

This is meant to be caused by a reduction in ring tension in this motor,they replace both the pistons and the rings,the engine then has to be honed which means the head have to come off,now when you do this all the head ($50 each) and big end bolts have to be replaced as they are stretch bolts and it is costing them a packet,but the local engine shop that does all there work is doing very well out of it.

[GTV27]

Rumour heard that in the US the oil used is 0W40, but in Oz Holdlen uses 10W50 - additional wear on start up maybe? probably not enough of a difference to explain the consumption, and also wouldn't explain the variation (some cars use none, some use heaps)

Also in the rumour file, apparently, if an owner complains, Holden seal the sump plug and measure consumption between services - I'd be getting some sucked out through the dipstick to get a rebuild (either that or dumping it on the secondhand market and buying something better engineered - a Hyundai perhaps hahahahahahaha - sorry, couldn't resist)

[Mattracer]

Did anyone see the absolute caning Holden got on Channel Seven's "Today Tonight" programme?

Several owners complaining of problems with the GEN111' ridiculous oil consumption, diffs, fuel gauges etc all on the SS and SS ute. No mention made of any HSV engines. Also complaints of poor service from Holden dealers when fixing these problems. Not the first time these stories have been to air- other owners in the past have appeared on TV with complaints, particularly with utes.

I always wanted an SS but never could afford to buy one. Maybe I'll stop dreaming.

[rocket]

holden certainly coped it with that, thing is a mate of mine had similar probs with the VT with a holden motor, one of the things holden did when they built it was NOT grease the spigot bush/bearing & it chewed the input shaft & crank, had 2 rear ends replaced and 3 airflow meters replaced one only lasted 2ks before it packed it in

good to see they havent changed

[Amaroo Park]

Originally posted by Mattracer
Did anyone see the absolute caning Holden got on Channel Seven's "Today Tonight" programme?

Several owners complaining of problems with the GEN111' ridiculous oil consumption, diffs, fuel gauges etc all on the SS and SS ute. No mention made of any HSV engines. Also complaints of poor service from Holden dealers when fixing these problems. Not the first time these stories have been to air- other owners in the past have appeared on TV with complaints, particularly with utes.

I always wanted an SS but never could afford to buy one. Maybe I'll stop dreaming.

Our Mangaging Director made us sit down and watch it this morning. I rang our Holden Rep after seeing it but he said "I am not going to talk about that "

[Mattracer]

Well I don't necessarily believe much of what I see on TV anywau, particularly about anything to do with cars and motoring mainly because of the moronic Speed Kills routine, but I do wonder, as a non V8 Holden owner myself.

[AussieV8]

One of the guys I work with bought himself a Monaro CV8 and he has nothing but trouble. 6 months of ownership and he traded it for a Subaru B4 Turbo and has no probs.

I saw that programme on Today Tonight as well and it didn't look good for the General. Thats why I've only ever had Mazda's.
(Rotaries rock)

[Amaroo Park]

Holden will very soon start to recommend that owners DO NOT use synthetic motor oil.

[Crash Test]

But that other stuff comes from the ground and has some sort of impurity... or so we are told by a certain Holden badge wearer...

[Bomn]

Out of the ground and into your engine, then back on the ground...

[Amaroo Park]

Out of the ground into your engine, past the leaking valve stem seals, past the piston rings that dont seal and the piston with exsecive clearance, past the leaking sump gasket and rear main seal and back to the ground or the alternate ending, out the exhaust and on to the ground...

[Bomn]

...down the gutter into the ocean killing the whale that washes up onto the beach and decays into the ground.

What an eco-friendly car.

[Mattracer]

But why exactly would Holden tell its customers to stop using synthetic oil? I've got Mobil 1 in it and have done for a few years. I top it up every now and then, but mainly because I like to keep it on the "full" mark. It never gets to the "add" mark and doesn't use oil excessively anyway.

American engines are built to different tolerances to european/Jap engines (read what you want into that) but seriously, it;s not a BMW or Merc V12 is it and you're not paying the same dollars for that type of engine either.

[Lee Janotta]

Absolutely bizarre. I've heard _nothing_ but glowing reviews of the US versions of the Gen III small-block. Utterly mind-boggling.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally posted by Lee Janotta
Absolutely bizarre. I've heard _nothing_ but glowing reviews of the US versions of the Gen III small-block. Utterly mind-boggling.

Possibly because (and I believe this is still the case... AND come on you Americans, jump IN here) the US has strong consumer laws. For example, if you have a major problem three times under warranty for the same thing you are entitled to a replacement car (or so it was in California several years ago!!). Therefore, the duds may be quickly weeded out and what are you left with???......glowing praise??