1995 VS Acclaim - Trans + Smoke?

[FinalCause]

Hey, pretty new to the forum but everyone seems to have a decent knowledge when it comes to things going wrong.

I bought a 1995 VS Acclaim last friday, $2400 with no rego. So far i have had to do the following:

• Replace front rotors
  Replace front calipers (bleeders wouldn't budge)
  Repair scissor arm on driver window
  Replace driver door handle
  Replace transmission seal (where the dipstick pipe goes into the gearbox)
  
  Still need to attach LHS boot hinge (take the parcel shelf out etc)
  Still need to replace heater tap assembly and hoses.

And possibly 100 other things...


Im noticing when im driving that if the car rapidly climbs in revs, it feels as if the trans is catching, wobbling...all that kinda stuff (even after replacing the seal and topping up trans fluid)

Also, when the engine idles, it seems as if a smoke is coming from the exhaust, havent noticed a colour, kinda clear but smells of petrol.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions as to what these things maybe and any possible solutions? i dont want to replace the trans $$$$$$ but if i have do, it has to be done.

This is my first V6, love the car, not loving the trouble. haha.


Thanks!

Cause.

[FinalCause]

bump, really need some help, i drive 40km to work...80km round trip per day, id hate to get stuck half way haha

[hako]

If you haven't already changed the engine oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter yet then I'd do that now. Then do a codes check for any logged fault codes (see how-to section)
Re the trans, if the oil is brown the trans may be near the end of its life...maybe a can of trand fix will prolong it.
Does the car lose coolant?

[Chris E]

If the car is shooting up in revs but going no where fast then your transmission is most probably slipping.

[FinalCause]

thanks for the replys guys,

hako: ye, i think the oil might have been brown...im getting a mate round tomorrow morning so we can spend some time looking at it. i didn't even think to check for error codes, once i wrap my head around the how-to i'll do that haha

Chris: its not so much shooting up in revs as it feels like it gets stuck periodically then its fine...

[FinalCause]

also, i clicked the link for code explaination...its gives me two options...VR (1993-1995) and VS (1996-1998)

i have a 1995 VS V6...so i guess its falls into both categories...which link shud i follow?

[ephect]

if ur car is a VR (buick engine) then click VR if its a VS (ecotec) as your ride states, then click VS

[FinalCause]

haha word.

yea, i checked the codes, all it gave me was the code 12 and then code 23...

[ephect]

and code 23 is... post up

[FinalCause]

Mass Air Temp Sensor (MAT) high voltage

Not entirely sure what it means, i know it starts a bit rough but thats no biggie, and the temp gauge gets to about 3/4 on a prolonged idle before the fan kicks in.

[ephect]

the temp at 3/4's is fine, most VS's report this and is normal.

the MAT or IAT is located on the side of the air box, u'll see a plug & loom connected to the air box. this could be stuffed or this code could be logged prior. Remove the + lead from the battery and leave it for 10mins. connect it back up, go a couple of days and see if it logs that same code again. If it does replace the sensor with a new one preferably or secondhand one from a wreckers.

i would do the oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter as hako suggested sooner rather than later.

[greenacc]

after you remove the lead turn your lights on or try starting the car to drain all the circuits. Failing to do this can fail to delete the codes.

[FinalCause]

ok great cheers for the advice guys, ive gone and removed the lead, turned the light switch on for a bit and replaced the lead...i'll see how we go in a few days.

Any suggestions on the state of the trans? i'm hesitant to take the car any higher than 3500rpm...only because it feels weird every now and then, almost as if the gear is catching on occasion...not sure

thanks again

[ephect]

first check the codes again to make sure they've cleared

i would be getting your auto reco'd sooner than later by the sounds. has it been getting worse lately or just all of a sudden?

[FinalCause]

not sure, i only bought the car on friday haha

i drove alright when i bought it, then i noticed a leak and discovered it was the trans seal at the dipstick pipe into the box. Got a replacement from holden.

I was told that the car hadnt been driven in over a year. In the owners he must have written a reminder for the water pump to be replaced at 221,000 and this was on 07 date. Today, the car has done 228,000

[ephect]

damn we'll i would firstly change the trans fluid and filter, can be done yourself or and trans joint. at least give it fresh fluid. start it & let it run, let it get to operating temp, then let it cool a little, then change the oil, just dont get burnt if doing it urself.

if its been sitting there for over a year, most parts wont have been lubricated and on startup it can take a while for the oil to coat everything. even though u've driven it home. me personnally would take it for a nice cruise steady speed, will get fluids flowing in all places might dislodge any gunk.

Change your o2 sensors which would fix the petrol smell from the exhaust, if its using extra fuel the O2's arent doing their job.

sounds like it's gonna cost you a little bit more to get her back in shape

[FinalCause]

yea i know ay, well i only paid $2400 for it and have managed to get decent parts from wreckers at low cost, so i think if i get this thing driving real nice im coming off pretty gud haha.

Any idea on the cost of those sensors? i assume id have to get them through GMH?

thanks for all ya help mate

[greenacc]

you can get aftermaket O2 sensors, just check they are decent brand such as Delphi.
Good idea to change the tranny fluid as ephect said. Its a cheap job at about $60 DIY- service kit with gasket and filter is about $30 from repco, plus fluid another $30, and might even cure your slippage.

[ephect]

yea holden have them for i think $70-90 per sensor or ebay for about $60 you want delco or adeco (another member should confirm), your VS should have 2, check your exhaust pipes, both left and right sides, u'll see em thru the bay down low next to the trans. If you can get to one of the plugs, check to see if you have a 2wire or 4wire O2, you will need this when you purchase them.

lol sometimes you can get something good for cheap, and somethings cheap can be seldom good, i hope you have the former not that latter!

EDIT: Delphi not adeco thanks greenacc