Camshaft Repair Costs

[Incognito73]

Hi – looking for advice from you seasoned professionals.

• VX S Pack S1 with 99,500 on the clock
• Holden rebuilt engine at 45,000 due to low oil pressure
• A month ago started idling a bit rough, depressed clutch to friction point and roughness disappears
• Serviced regularly at either km or time intervals by Holden Dealer (who has since sold franchise and shut down service dept)
• A couple of weeks ago started chewing through oil, so kept it topped up until next service…once I found a new place (last service 2 months ago)
• About a week ago oil light flashed on dash once when I had to do some really hard braking – that’s it, no other “warnings”
• 3 days ago noticed a noise – not a ticking – coming from engine when accelerating but it would go away after a couple of minutes
• Yesterday the noise level went to 11, and it wouldn’t stop. Still no loss in performance though when accelerating.
• Noise sounds like it was just “cranking”
• Two Holden dealers and an independent mechanic later I get virtually the same diagnosis that the camshaft is cactus but couldn’t be confirmed until covers came off (fair enough)

My question is, to replace/repair properly what is the average price? I’ve gotten three different estimates - $1500, $2500 and $6000 (and not for a reconditioned engine either – which I won’t do because I’d rather the devil I know).

[acarmody]

$6000, #### me sideways with a fork, thats a full engine rebuild with good parts and full machining.

Depending if the engine comes out, than $1500 should do it, whether you supply the new/regrind cam may or may not be included. I don't know if they can press new cam bearing with the engine still in, would have to talk to the people doing it.

[Darcon666]

The guys that quoted you $6k.... tell them GFY.

NEW Ecotec for a little over half that quote :- VS-VY ECOTEC V6 CRATE MOTOR

[lemusa]

6k would buy you another car! Id say engine will come out, they will probaly want to have a bit of a nosy around if they are going to garantee their work. Probaly cheaper to let them supply cam unless you have mates etc in the biz. I know that I cant beat any of my mechanics prices

[graham7773]

If you were thinking about $6000............. $3750 for a new GMH ecotec sounds like a great deal to me. Especially fitted with all the bolt ons including starter, fuel rail and water pump plus plugs new coil pack and leads. Da*m, If I could afford it I would be grabbing one for me. I wonder if it comes with the original GMH warranty?

[Incognito73]

Thanks for the feedback. Hyperventilating from laughter was more effective than telling the dealer who quoted me $6k off!

The link on the new engine is food for thought - considering it's already been (supposedly) rebuilt once (and I doubt Holden will do it again for free like last time) I'm wondering if I do get a new engine instead?

[soop]

It'd last another 15yrs without drama.
Kills about 500 birds with one stone really.

[chargedvx6]

Nothing wrong with a wrecker engine. Do the intake manifold gaskets and a service before fitting and $1800-$2000 should see you driving away happy. If you have spun a cam bearing on your existing engine then there will be too much r&d time as well as machining and new parts going in. After all that's done you will also have a run in period of 500kms- 1000kms where you have to drive the engine gently.