Problems With My Vn Commodore Wagon - Please Help

[mad4life]

Hi Guys Im New Here And Would Love Some Help From Some Seasoned Professionals. Ive Just Bought A 89 Vn Commodore Wagon In Good Nick But I Need A Few Questions Answered.

1) I Have To Change The Sump Gasket And Have Noticed That It Will Be Very Tricky Getting To The Bolts Without Removing The Engine. Has Anyone Done This Before And Did You Have To Remove The Engine. I Was Thinking Of Undoing The Engine Bolts And Just Using A Jack To Raise The Engine A Few Cm's To Get To The Bolts. And Advice Or Feedback Would Be Great.

2) I Will Be Carrying Some Valuable Stuff In The Back Of My Wagon And Just Wanted To Know If Anyone Knows Of A Cover You Can Buy For A Vn Wagon. I Dont Even Know What You Would Call It But If You Know Of Anything That Would Do The Trick Its Highly Appreciated.

3) Im Getting Personalized Plates And Would Love Some Ideas For A Plate, Im In Qld So I Think Its A Max Of 6 Letters.

4) There has been a few times when ive gotten in the car in the mornings when the car wont even crank over. All electricals seem fine and the battery is in good condition, then i can come back 5 mins later and she starts right up. Any ever had a problem like this.

Thanks In Advance For Anyone That Helps.

[Burt_vn]

1) Your solution sounds worthy, give it a try, youve got nothing to lose. Just please tell me you plan on draining the oil first. Ive heard of someone pulling the sump off when the motor was full of oil. silly silly.

2) Never heard of any covers, id suggest 5% tinting all around it, ive got 5% on my wagon, and you cant see a thing inside the car. Or just throw a sheet over your stuff.

3) Personalized Plates are exactly that, personal, you can think of a combination yourself.

4) Strange occurance that one is, ah the beauty of cars huh? i dont think i can help you there, im sure i could fling 5-6 possible causes at you, but that would hinder more than help.

Good luck!

[mad4life]

thanks for replying, yes i will be draining the oil first. I was hoping there was someone out there thats done the work of replacing a sump gasket and if they had to remove the whole engine. Its just not something I really want to have to do. Anyone????

[Garth]

ok, step by step guide

1. take of the bonnet
2, undo the engine mount bolts on the underside of chasis.
3. using a engine hoist or a a frame, you need to lift the motor so the engine mounts are no-longer on the car.
lift itno-more than 6 or 7 inches. any higher you can kiss your gearbox munts good bye
4. somewhere in that list of steps you wanna drain oil out of sump, otherwise you will wear it. ther is a thread in the forum somewhere
with better step by step instructions, something about a cross member and stuff.

cheers
garth