VS Ecotec Blowups

[hemi01]

I'm thinking of upgrading from VN V6 to VS V6 and have noticed that there are many VS ecotecs with blown up engines around.

They have low Kms (200-300 000) and often say Oil Pump failure or Big End bearing failure.

Is this a common fault with ecotecs in a VS? VTs don't seem to suffer.

I'd hate to get rid of the reliable old Buick for a neater car with a suspect engine.

Thanks, Mick

[schteven]

my vs ment to have 170 on motor and done head gasket

[vs-6]

mines done 230-240 10-20 of which have been super charged and it still goes alright u just gotta keep em serviced not many days where mine doesnt hit full throttle and shes still sweet

[DannyboyDS]

im with vs-6 just keep it well serviced and keep an eye out for any small problems that can cause big issues.

[Mystro1]

My VS has done total 230k's and its on its third engine, first was done before i got the car (NFI why either and was never told about it) second just ate s**t and died one day (Reco that had 2 years left on warranty that the company didnt honor as it had changed hands ) and now a lovley new reco. I have heard all to many people with blown VS engines but then there are thousands and thousands that never have a problem 400000k later... just bad luck or bad ownership, one or the other.

[delcowizzid]

keep up regular oil changes and keep it off the limiter should last many thousands of km's

[tully2007]

When the VS was launched, Holden in it's wisdom developed what they called "a lose motor" to try and increase fuel economy. Problem was they used a lot of oil and a lot failed. So they brought out, larger piston and rings and head kits to fix the problem. This I found out from a service manager at the local dealer. Maybe the later the VS the better!

[cxcxcxvcvcvc]

When the VS was launched, Holden in it's wisdom developed what they called "a lose motor" to try and increase fuel economy. Problem was they used a lot of oil and a lot failed. So they brought out, larger piston and rings and head kits to fix the problem. This I found out from a service manager at the local dealer. Maybe the later the VS the better!

my vs calais drinks @ least a 1-2litres of oil a month its ridiculous and the motor is only @ 200xxx and its getting a rattly top end! But im not that concerned as long as it gets me from A2B for the next 2 months then the L67 goes in

[tully2007]

That should be "loose" motor, missed an "o".

[hemi01]

Thats interesting and might explain why so many fail with oil pressure/ supply problems.

Sounds like the Ecotec wasn't fully developed prior to release. And owners are still paying the price 15 years later.

[Michelson4301]

200k out of a motor is good going in my books!!! Think back to the EH era of 186 motors. How many of these bad boys would have lasted 200k of thrashing at the power levels we have today without a rebuild or two ???

[vsiicalais]

my vs v6 ecotec is still going very strong after 600,000+ km with out rebuilds or anything. Not much has been replaced on it considering its now 14 years old and gets thrashed regularly. Was thrashed from day 1 till now.

[Scooter79]

The Ecotec was a bloody great motor. If they fail it comes down to not being looked after. My first VS had 384,000kms on it when I sold it and it was all original. Yeah, some of the series one VS's used a bit of oil but not dramatically. Pick up a series two that has a service history and you'll be right.

[getmymackon]

Hey guys
I have been reading your threads with interest and have a couple of questions myself.

1. My VS V6 engine light has just started coming on today. It seems to happen if the car is idling while in drive and she sounds a bit rough around the edges (so to speak). What should I be checking for and where should I be checking? She has only done 165k on the clock and has had a regular service and tranny service in Jan this year. Oil and filter were changed 2 weeks ago.

2. My heater works intermittently and was wondering if this is a loose wire or something more obscure???

Any replies would be great

[greenfoam]

200k out of a motor is good going in my books!!! Think back to the EH era of 186 motors. How many of these bad boys would have lasted 200k of thrashing at the power levels we have today without a rebuild or two ???

Gees man oil has improved alot since then . If you don't get 500k+ out of a large engine now with modern oils something is going way wrong. But your right the Holden 6 way back when running on oil straight out of the dirt was lucky to make 220,000ks before it was blowing smoke. All the failed ecotecs I've seen tend to have overheated would have to be mostly the owners fault

[Michelson4301]

Gees man oil has improved alot since then . If you don't get 500k+ out of a large engine now with modern oils something is going way wrong. But your right the Holden 6 way back when running on oil straight out of the dirt was lucky to make 220,000ks before it was blowing smoke. All the failed ecotecs I've seen tend to have overheated would have to be mostly the owners fault

Did my first motor from over-revving it. 6200rpm raised limit LOL. 2nd motor was a mistery to me. Spun a cam bearing, was a AC Delco rebuild and did look as though the bearing had spun before 1st rebuild. Lucky number 3 here we come.