Couple of VS problems

[Mattimus]

Hey guys, just got a couple of issues with the old VS I'm hoping aren't too bad..

Firstly, the power steering seems to groan a lot lately, and also makes knocking sounds whilst being turned. The PS fluid is topped right up, and also I've done the 'lock to lock' thing to try get rid of air bubbles.

Secondly, my key doesn't open my boot. What's up with that?

And finally my handbrake doesn't seem to work at all, reversed out of my drive way yesterday and then realised I hadn't taken it off yet. Is this just a matter of tightening it up?

Cheers, Matt.

[maldotcom2]

The groan in the steering can be fixed easily. Look behind the engine where the steering column comes through the firewall, there's a rubber boot the size of your fist with a shaft going through it. Use a screw driver to shove some grease up between the boot and the shaft, it seems to dry out in age.

Handbrakes in commo's are notoriously shit. It should only click about 5 times when you pull it up, if it's more or less you should adjust it.

[hako]

Re the key - open the boot with the inside lever then have a look inside the bootlid where the key lock is - you'll probably find the plastic arm on the lock has broken.

[phwc]

My story -
i own a Commodore VS series II, 1997, v6, 3.8L, 280000km run. 4 weeks ago the car produced the following symptoms

1, door, steer wheel intermittently trembling

2, slight burnt oil smell drawn into passenger compartment

3, no bubbles blown out from the raditor (when car turned on), but some muddy oily sticky stuff found underneath the radiator cap (my friend said it might be a mix of oil and water, any body get an idea for this?)

4, fuel used up way faster than before (before ran 400km with 59Litre, Now run 200-240km with full fuel refill)

5, hard to speed up and losing power,

6, no smoke come out either from exhaust pipe or engine

all these conditions started and persisted ever since 4 weeks ago.

Questions
1) What would be probably the problem with these creepy symptoms of my car? some of my friends suggested it might be the problem of the cylinder(s), but some said it could be the gasket warped?

2) in the case of cylinder/gasket, how can i determine if the main problem is attributed to the cylinder(s) or the gasket? (any feasible methods)

3) also in the case of cylinder/gasket, some suggested me to get a reconditioned engine that fits my car either from wreckers or dealers; other reckoned open up the engine and have a look inside and see if it is gasket warped, and replace it with a new one ($120 to 150) by myself because its cheap this way, so what you think?

4) any questions/comments of yours?

Million thanks to whoever cares to be part of my thread!!!

[Mattimus]

Million thanks to whoever cares to be part of my thread!!!

Isn't this my thread O.o

So the groaning wouldn't be shot power steering fluid? It's a little brown

And how does one go about adjusting the hand brake?
Oh and I'll check the boot lock

Thanks guys

[aceventura]

The advice above for the groaning steering is easy to do. If it doesn't work, then perished sway bar link pin bushes can also cause groaning

[Mattimus]

Thanks, will give that a go when I have time.
I checked the lock in the boot lid and there is nothing broken on it, I should have said before that the key doesn't actually turn the lock, however it does fit right in there.

[Brett_jjj]

Maybe the lock has been changed and its the wrong key.Any key from the same model commodore will fit in the lock ok,it just won't turn.

[hako]

If the boot lid lock is not used often it can freeze up - I'd saturate it with WD40 and then try the key in it.

[Deneo]

If the boot lid lock is not used often it can freeze up - I'd saturate it with WD40 and then try the key in it.

+1
WD-40 is Wonder spray.