Looking at buying VP calais

[lufkin]

Hi guys im looking at buying a VP calais just wondering if there is anything that is a common fault with them that i should check out before buying, if its something simple i guess i can fix it, but is there anything major that could be a deal breaker?

[2DIE]

Rust around the rear window and boot section is about one of the most common things, dash gets sticky but can be fixed by searching for the VP-VN sticky about it.

Beware of engine and gear box/transmission noises, always pays to take it for a drive first before you buy anything.

Have you got one in mind that you want to buy already or just going to start looking?

[lufkin]

havnt got one in mind at the moment, its just i used to have a VN commy and i have always loved vp calais. i currently have a VT calais at the moment, which i will be giving to my partner and getting myself a 5L VP calais, well thats the plan so far anyways lol

[calais_cruzin]

Rust around the rear window is the main problem to look for.

Sometimes u cant see it, but look right it the bottom corner of window, thats norm where it starts, water pools there.

I love my calais, had it for 6yrs, looked after me well

[lufkin]

so with this rust problem, is it repairable, or once it starts rusting in that area there is no hope

[shayno_vp5L]

look under the carpets in the boot, i did 2 weeks ago and i could see the ground below, if it has aftermarket rims check there not scrubbing (front and back), ive got vt ss rims on mine and they dont fit properly. got spacers on the rear.
My tranny went at 260000 k's but i have no idea of its service history, wasnt cheap, but they are a strong, reliable unit. if u test drive one give it a bootfull and check for a steering shudder. mine is hard to re-start when its been driving a while, i think i read on here its the starter motor.
other than that go the old vp calais 5 litres, awesome rigs.

[2DIE]

^ forgot that one, also usually rusted out wheel well on the left in the boot. My bro's was but he cut it out and pot riveted a 2mm plate in and brushed some thick tar over and under it.

[2DIE]

so with this rust problem, is it repairable, or once it starts rusting in that area there is no hope

Once it sets in you would have to take the rear window out and sand it back to bare metal and repaint it or else it will eat right through and spread in a few years. If you can do it yourself its not too costly but if its bad it could run in to 1000s at a repair shop.

Try to avoid any with rust, even "surface rust" because ones that starts you can keep it back a little with buffing it but it will start to come back faster and faster each time.

[MasterOfReality]

Check electrics as well - at this age they will be stuffing up. Power windows and buttons on the left and right hand side control banks will play up.

Look under carpet in boot - already been mentioned.

Check to see if the the bottom of the gearbox and cross member is super clean - if it is, its probably leaking from the rear main or the rocker covers and the owner has given it a quick wash. That seems to be fairly common too on the 5 litres.

Power steering can be dodgy too - variotronic system tends to spit the dummy. Mine used to loose all power steering and pulling out and replacing the fuel pump fuse used to fix it lol.

Check bonnet hinges as well - I almost busted my windscreen opening my bonnet.

The good old 5L VP Calais is a good cruiser - had mine since 2004. In shed now waiting for resto. Check link for pics when it was a daily driver.

[lufkin]

cheers guys, you have given me alot of things to to check over its much appreciated

[frdhtr]

Hey mate make sure you test drive it up some were with a 100 zone and listen for diff whines and feel for harsh down shifting in the gearbox when pulling up to the lights, There 2 common things I've seen in my time, oh and don't take there word for it if they say it's an LSD. Good luck mate

[frdhtr]

Oh and it might sound silly but one thing I've picked up on commos is check the carpet that goes in contact with the accelorator pedel at full throttle, if it's had a hard life like my first vn's the carpet will be pretty non existent lol

[shayno_vp5L]

Hey mate make sure you test drive it up some were with a 100 zone and listen for diff whines and feel for harsh down shifting in the gearbox when pulling up to the lights, There 2 common things I've seen in my time, oh and don't take there word for it if they say it's an LSD. Good luck mate

i sometimes experience a whine when accelerating quickly and the down changes are a bit rough, what do you think it is?
when i got my diff oil replaced the bloke showed me a few things underneath, said my universal shaft (i think) was worn out, could that be it?
with the lsd, on the oil filler bolt on the diff there should be a tag indicating if its lsd, mine has it but he said the bearing was buggered so it wasnt doing what it should.

[frdhtr]

i sometimes experience a whine when accelerating quickly and the down changes are a bit rough, what do you think it is?
when i got my diff oil replaced the bloke showed me a few things underneath, said my universal shaft (i think) was worn out, could that be it?
with the lsd, on the oil filler bolt on the diff there should be a tag indicating if its lsd, mine has it but he said the bearing was buggered so it wasnt doing what it should.

As for the whine your hearing fair chance that it's the diff pinion bearing (very common with IRS diffs) although that has nothing to do with the limited slip of the wheels, if it's an LSD you should be able to spin 2 wheels under heavy throttle around corners and such but at this age and a few k's your LSD cones (2 tapered circular cones inside the diff center, that contact another surface) are probly worn out, if both these factors are your problem and it concerned you then a diff overhaul is more than likely needed, or find your self a good second hand one.

As for the clunking downshift of the gears that's also a common problem, it's the 'check balls' hitting the valve body separator plate (little ball bearings in oil galleries that cover holes on a steel plate inside the auto to control oil pressures ect) they eventual start to wear away the separator plate, depends on how bad it is if you can barely feel it or it's clunky very harsh, you can bye new separator plates, not sure wear but I wouldn't worry to much if it's not to bad, cheers