Just bought a VS... A few questions and issues.

[AussieCanuck]

Hi everyone.

I'm the proud owner of a "new" Commodore VS. A 1997 model according to the rego papers.

I've got a few questions regarding this model, that I hope someone can help me with.

1. I've noticed that some VS's have square orange front side-markers (indicator lights on the front fenders). Mine has oval ones. Are VS's with square side-markers older or newer than the ones with oval ones?

2. I've also noticed that some VS's have orange indicators in the rear. Others have clear white ones, white an orange bulb inside. I've uploaded some pictures. Just wondering which VS's had the clear white ones.

3. What's a series 2 VS? How is that different from a series 1(?) ?

4. I've got a spoiler on the boot lid... I haven't seen any other VS's around in my area with spoilers on the back. Did someone add it, or did only certain models come with it?

5. I'm experiencing a serious issue with fuel economy. When filling the tank from empty (as empty as possible), the bowser kicks in at 47 liters. I believe the tank is 60 liters... but would like confirmation of this please. Also, there's a fuel-like smell near the rear of the car. Nothing noticeable inside the car, but on the outside, after the car has just been shut off, I can smell something momentarily. The smell isn't there all the time, however. The fuel gauge seems to go down overnight as well. As a result, on a full tank, I've only been able to clock about 300 kms... 289 actually.

I've had a mechanic look at the car. He's had the car up on a hoist. He says he can't see any issues with fuel leaking. There are no signs of a leak anywhere. I told him about the mileage in getting and that sort of stumped him. He didn't have any answers.

I appreciate any advice I can get on this matter.

Best Regards.

[seraphic06]

1.) VS Series I had square side repeaters, Series II came with oval side repeaters.
2.) What you have seen are probably the aftermarket "Alteeza" lights.
3.) Another member will be better abled to answer this.
4.) Some models came with a spoiler, others did not.
5.) If it's a sedan than it will be 59 liters. Some models came with a long range 80 liter tank as well. Something is definitely not quite right there. Get it checked. It could be oxygen sensor perhaps? (although that would not explain the smell)

[Tom_1569]

Poor fuel useage, the gauge going down over night, and poor consumption, is quite obvious there is a leak somewhere. Finding the leak will be the hardest part. If its not in the tank itself then it will be at a connection or hose.
Drop the tank and look for a visual leak, even fill up and see if you spot the leak.
Check breather hoses for cracks etc, replace them if they look the slightest bit dodgey. In the VK the breather hoses had perished, most were cracked or just hanging there. It gave a massive fuel smell especially just after filling up, and caused the fuel to evaporate. Also check around the fuel filter, not uncommon for it to leak there either.
Also go back and kick your "mechanic" in the nuts for not bothering to look for a fuel leak.

[AussieCanuck]

Thanks seraphic and Tom... I think I need to find a new mechanic

I read the threads on this forum about the vapour return lines etc... and specifically told the mechanic to check for these things. He claims that the tank's fine and all the lines are in good order.

Thanks again.

[nathg]

The lights with the clear indicators were standard on Berlina's and Calais. It is a common mod for people with executives, s/ss etc.

[AussieCanuck]

Just thought I'd provide an update on my fuel situation. I took the car to a "real" mechanic this time around. Left the car with him. Just received a phone call that I indeed have a fuel leak. Its on the top-side of the tank. He had to drop the tank to find the leak. The rubber hoses up there have cracked in several places.

He also told me that I've got holes in both my mufflers. A backfire situation, and my next of kin might have been getting a phone call, if you know what I mean.

I'm grateful to everyone on here that advised me on getting a second opinion.

If anyone would like the name of the shop TOO AVOID, where the first mechanic works, let me know.

If anyone would like the name of the second guy, who appears to be quite a decent bloke, again let me know.

I won't post anything up here, in case its against the rules.

Also... on the topic of Series 1's versus Series 2's... my understanding from reading the posts above as well as a thread over on calaisturbo.com.au is that the side repeaters are essentially different in shape.

Series 1 = square
Series 2 = oval

From what I've read, there are no other differences.

However... there's a bloke down the street from me who has two really gorgeous VS saloons. Both in very nice condition. Both have square side repeaters, but there's a badge below the repeater on each car saying "Series II".

I'm guessing the cars are maybe VR series 2's, if there was such a thing?

Its no big deal, just want to learn as much about the VS's as possible

Thanks again.

[Cobez]

Indicators mean nothing, you can buy them off Ebay and a million places and fit them in 5 minutes. It's usually one of the first mods people do to their early model Commodores.

[shanhsv]

VS II came with different trim designs in side the car,also series 2 had plastic moulding along the outside of the doors(my berlina does and ive seen them on acclaims),some badging was different ie berlina badge on bootlid changed. Biggest VS series change was proberbly with the Calais,which got front foglights and front bar insert and extra door moulding and more over the VS series 1 calais.Ohh and the supercharged V6 become an option in series 2 calais stat'o

[SHANBANGER]

i bought that same pair of tail lights off ebay with the clear bit for the indicator. i recommend buying them, brand new and a great seller. They were at my doorstep within 2 days of them recieving payment and they were cheaper than 2nd hand ones from the wreckers. Made my car look much better

[alex2_s]

Acclaims also have clear indicators at the rear, along with berlina and calais as mentioned.

Series 2 introduced the supercharged motor as an option and the v8 upgraded. the v6 manual transmission also changed from a borg warner to a getrag (and cable to hydraulic clutch) and the cosmetic changes already mentioned (oval indicators, interior)

I believe there were minor mechanical updates too, the trans cooler was standard i think on towing pack cars. Halfway through the VS Series 1 it also changed to 4 wire oxygen sensor rather than 2 wire.

A 1995 car can be told if its a VR or VS by the fact it has a series 2 badge (obvs. VR), lack of 'ecotec' badge on the side. the VR also had a black-filled holden logo, the VS was silver

[shanhsv]

A 1995 car can be told if its a VR or VS by the fact it has a series 2 badge (obvs. VR), lack of 'ecotec' badge on the side. the VR also had a black-filled holden logo, the VS was silver[/QUOTE]

VS lost the passenger door key hole too

[AussieCanuck]

Hi everyone. Wanted to resurrect this thread with some questions on fuel economy.

So, the tank no longer leaks. I no longer smell any fuel-like smells anywhere around the car. I believe my fuel gauge now stays put overnight.

However, the car still in my opinion, consumes a whole lot of fuel. The last few tanks, since the fuel leak was repaired, have only given me about 300kms.

When filling up, the bowser clicks at 52 liters, so I'm quite sure I've filled the tank up as much as possible (assuming there's 7 liters still in the tank, for a total of 59 liters).

I've checked the air filter... its brand new. I've cleaned the MAF sensor using the appropriate spray.

What should I be checking (or have checked) next? O2 sensors?

Advice is appreciated.

[AdamOne]

yeah youre best bet is probably relpace the oxy sensor... it didnt work for me in my old vp but ive heard in most cases it makes quite a difference. you may also want to think about about getting it tuned if all else fails... you never know.

[Grennan]

A 1995 car can be told if its a VR or VS by the fact it has a series 2 badge (obvs. VR), lack of 'ecotec' badge on the side. the VR also had a black-filled holden logo, the VS was silver

That and the totally different engine.

In answer to your question, id be checking the oxy sensors, if they haven't been changed on the car there's a good chance they are well and truly buggered.

How are you driving? Is it strictly suburban around town driving or is it a bit of a mix?

[AussieCanuck]

My drives the car Mon to Fri. I just drive it on the weekends. Wife drives short distances. On weekends we take the car on longer drives... But generally we stay off the motorways, as there's usually a toll involved.

So strictly suburban I'd say.

[Kurtp]

I'm going to change my oxy sensor soon aswell, my economy could be a bit better, but yours is shocking, definitely get the oxy sensor changed you're looking at about 70-90 dollars for one, shop around i always ask about 5 different places for quotes before i buy car parts. If that doesnt work, when was the last time your car had all the leads changed and a good service?

[AussieCanuck]

A fairly "good" service was done a month ago: spark plugs, air/oil/fuel filters, PCV and oil were changed.

Leads are still the original ones. I suppose I should change them soon

Repco sells O2 sensors for $120 each. 4-wire sensor with square connector on the end. 2-wire sensor with oval plug was $85, which is the cheapest one he sells. I think mine's the 4-wire one.

[AussieCanuck]

Hi all

I'm getting close to "throwing in the towel" on this issue I'm having in relation to fuel economy and fuel odours that are becoming quite obvious. I'm wondering if someone can suggest a course of action.

I initially noticed the smell after my daughter brought it to my attention.

I showed the car to a mechanic who said it was nothing and that I was smelling exhaust gases. I didn't quite like the answer I was given, so I sought a second opinion from another mechanic.

He managed to find a serious leak above the fuel tank. Cost me quite a bit to fix, but I was happy that the car was now safe.

A while later, about a month or so, I smelled fuel again. I took the car back to the second mechanic. This time he wasn't able to find any leaks. I took the car back without having any work done.

The other day, I smelled fuel coming in through the dashboard vents. Previously, the smell had been from the back of the car when standing near the filler cap.

I shut the vents off, and the smell went away. I thought this new finding would help the mechanic pinpoint the issue, so I took that car back to him. He was still not able to find anything. In fact, this time he was hesitant to even look at the car... but I managed to convince him. When I picked the car up from him this last time, his advice for me was to take the car to Holden. Basically, he no longer wants my business.

He says he's checked the charcoal cannister and could not find any faults there. He urged me to change the petrol filler cap to ensure that the system was properly sealed. I did this, but it made no difference.

On very hot days, I can distinctly smell fuel vapour coming in through the vents... the smell appears to be coming from the front of the car. With the bonnet open, however, I'm not able to accurately pin point the source of the smell.

Not sure if I'm dealing with an actual leak, or if I'm looking at a fuel rail or injector problem.

Also, question: if there's an injector issue, can this manifest itself in the form of excessive oil consumption? I had the car serviced back in October, and just the other day I checked my oil levels and I was down a whole liter! There are no leaks whatsoever from the engine. And the car doesn't burn oil either. I have a brand new exhaust installed, and the pipe is still clean as a whistle on the inside. No sooty deposit. I'm 100% certain that the car doesn't burn oil.

In addition, the car still suffers from bad fuel economy. Here's what I've done in an attempt to fix this:

1. Changed ignition leads
2. Installed a brand new exhaust (cat-back) since the old one had holes in it
3. Installed brand new O2 sensors
4. Cleaned MAF
5. Cleaned throttle body
6. Changed air filter

Any ideas?

I'd hate to have to sell the car so soon after having bought it.

Thanks in advance everyone. Eager to hear what the general opinion is.

[Cheap6]

The driving conditions will influence fuel economy quite a bit. Lots of cold start short runs will bump it up.

Also, maybe try a few more precise fuel consumption measurements to be sure that there actually is a problem; fill the tank to the cut off on the pump, drive and record the distance on the odometer, fill the tank to the pump cut off again and divide by the distance travelled. You should do that over a few tanks. Surely you don't always fill with precisely 52L and cover precisely 300km between every fill.

17.33L/100km is high but possible with cold start short journeys in heavy traffic.
14L/100km is probably closer to normal though.

Series 2 VS V6 have a Carbon canister purge solenoid on the back of the engine. It's a little plastic valve ~40mmX20mmX20mm with an electrical connector to it and hoses to the inlet manifold and the Carbon canister. Might be worth checking that too i.e. the hoses are connected, the plastic fittings aren't broken.

Fuel leaks, even dry, will leave a stain. It would be worth checking the fuel rail and fittings under the bonnet, even if you have to remove the dress cover/sound insulation to look properly.

VS V6 do consume a bit of oil, to the point where there were complaints made by customers when they were new. It's a consequence of light piston ring tension, ironically used to reduce fuel consumption . One of the "fixes" was to increase the oil fill level, changing the dipstick and tube to achieve that.

[Chappo_1]

Just my two cents worth.
I use between 11L to 12L/100KM driving in traffic.
I have had it down to 9.5L/100KM on the highway.
I check pretty much everytime I fill the tank. It has been constant for months. Original injectors, original O2 sensors. It has done close to 378,000 KM.

[inais]

have never reached 300k off a tank before. no matter where im driving. lucky buggers.