Advice for vs to get fixed up?

[sevrdotph]

hi all, hope someone can give me advice on these problems. have looked around on the forum but could not find anything relevant.

have been quoted for the following things to be fixed on my 96 vs acclaim s2 auto.
$137 - leaking rocker cover gasket, how hard to attempt myself as im ok with a set of tools.
$298 - leaking inlet manifold gasket, was told it would be too hard to do myself?
$140 - leaking auto trans (i know that just a transmission service is needed for this)

also, when driving on the freeway if i cruise at 80k's+ i can feel it go into overdrive then revving at around 1500/1600rpm, but if i try to accelerate anymore over 80k's the engine misfires a couple of times and then it will drop to 3rd gear till i reach desired speed e.g 100kph, then it will change again into 4th and then the same thing happens if i want to accelerate over whatever speed I'm on as long as its over 80kph.

just had minor service done 2500ks ago and changed plugs and leads(said leads had a bit of resistance in them?) aswell as fuel filter, air filter replaced. was told that ignition system is fine/coil packs dfi module etc was all good plus all fluids got topped up.

cheers, sevrdotph

[Tom_1569]

Rocker cover, pretty easy with some common knowledge.
Manifold gasket, depends on how good you are really and whether or not you feel confident, personelly I dont think its that hard of job, but that doesnt mean you wont find it hell easy, or stand there scratching ur balls all day.
Trans, leave it to a pro.

Did the miss happen after fitting new plugs/leads, if so id say its probs a bung lead or plug, not uncommon to get a dodgey new one. If its been consitent, maybe the torque converter as 80km/h is when they lock up.

[sircruisealotVS]

With the over 80k's problem, are you sure it's a misfire and not just the torque converter causing load vibrations as it attempt to unlock? It's very common in the older commodores for the torque converter to wear (as it does) and become unstable during overdrive lockup and unlock, making for some nasty vibrations that feel like the engine hesitates.
Thats where i'd be looking anyway - the torque converter is probably the original one and im guessing your VS would probably have some decent k's clocked up on it, as they all do now.

[sevrdotph]

Yeah i thought it might just be the torque converter as i have not had an auto service since i bought it at 213.XXXks its now upto 233.200km. any idea of price to repair or to replace it?

[sircruisealotVS]

To actually buy a new torque converter is pretty cheap, last time i saw a stock one it was around $150 or so for a aftermarket item. Replacing it is the expensive part, you'd be looking at a few hours labour there, plus a trans service.

[sevrdotph]

Did the miss happen after fitting new plugs/leads, if so id say its probs a bung lead or plug, not uncommon to get a dodgey new one. If its been consitent, maybe the torque converter as 80km/h is when they lock up.

No, when i first got the car it developed a miss so i got a tune up plugs/leads. Then it started missing again so i checked plugs and 1 was cracked so i replaced it then there was no miss. Then a few weeks later it started missing again at low revs ie. breaking to turn a corner then accelerating to continue driving it will miss a bit then it will continue to drive normally.

Also could it still mean the torque converter is broken even if the speed is under 80k?

[Tom_1569]

No, when i first got the car it developed a miss so i got a tune up plugs/leads. Then it started missing again so i checked plugs and 1 was cracked so i replaced it then there was no miss. Then a few weeks later it started missing again at low revs ie. breaking to turn a corner then accelerating to continue driving it will miss a bit then it will continue to drive normally.

Also could it still mean the torque converter is broken even if the speed is under 80k?

The above 80kmh definitly sounds like the torque converter, but it could be the enginge missing under load as the engine is under more load when in top gear and the torque converter locked up. Does it kickdown gears properly?
Its possible its both to.

[sevrdotph]

The above 80kmh definitly sounds like the torque converter, but it could be the enginge missing under load as the engine is under more load when in top gear and the torque converter locked up. Does it kickdown gears properly?
Its possible its both to.

It does kickdown gears properly, only when in low rpm and i go to accelerate does it miss. when i changed the broken spark plug the miss stopped completely and so did the 80k thudding..also checked error codes and came up 12 so comp has not logged any faults. thanks for the replys ppls