What else can go wrong?

[s_ikari2015]

Who wants to buy my VT Commodore?

It's great, got all kinds of "features".

Feature 1. When you turn the Airconditioner on, instead of getting cold air you get this incredible hissing sound! It compliments the ticking noise that comes from the heater/cooling fan.

Feature 2. When driving with the lights turned on, if you use the right indicator the car will automatically switch to High Beam for you when the indicator cancels! EVERYTIME!

Feature 3. Now this is a newly discovered feature. There's no need for in-car deoderisers because the fragrant scent of Radiator Coolant fills the cabin. I think the heater core is providing it. Also, on cold mornings when sitting in traffic (like this morning) you might even get a steam bath coming from the steering column! Wow, how refreshing!


So, I know the "feature" of the indicator, but feature 1 and 3 I would like some further advice on. I want to have almost no shadows of a doubt of what the problems are before paying someone to fix them. Unfortunately I believe it will have to be the local Holden Dealership because I'd need to get it all done at the same time and need a genuine indicator stalk and switch (with cruise control.)
My carpet isn't wet, so I'm not certain if there is a big leak in the heater core. Is there a way the coolant would just pool around the core and not run down into the carpet? Oh, and I'd say the hole is definitely inside the cabin because the windscreen gets steamed up and the defogger doesn't work because it's just blowing more steamy air onto the windscreen. I've checked the coolant level and it seems fine, and the car doesn't overheat, just runs at the normal temperature.


Cheers,
Rowan.

[knowledge_is_power]

Sounds like you need to replace the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Con) Unit. The indicator stork is a pice of pie. Would take about 3 mins tops. But the HVAC would take a day if your confident as the whole dash has to come out. If you want instructions on it let me know.

Jezz

[s_ikari2015]

why would I need to replace the HVAC if there is hissing when I push the aircon button? Wouldn't that usually just be a disconnected vacuum hose? Also, can't the heater core and hoses be replaced separately?

[knowledge_is_power]

Sorry what I meant to say was that you would need to remove it from your car to access the heater core. The hissing sound could be a few different things, from a low level of gas in the system, to a leak in the evaperator itself. While the HVAC is out you'll probably be able to fix the ticking of the fan, usally a small stick that gets in their.

[s_ikari2015]

okay, so it's a pretty big job. A whole day in a dealership with at least a week in advance for booking. That blows chunks because of the nature of the problem. My car is virtually undrivable because it's cold and rainy out and the windscreen fogs up after 5 minutes.

A good $600 in labour alone...
It might be quicker to buy a cheap run-around and then take the VT off the road long enough to have it repaired (when I have the money).

[cookp]

sounds like you got a small leak in your heater core & they're going to have to rip half your dash out to replace it !.


What else can go wrong?

umm let me see......

leaky power steering pump seals $120, poked oil sender switch $320 , Buggered driveshaft donut $1200, noisy lsd cones $120, stuffed airbag assembly / horn switch $2000, failed abs unit $1500, leaky spower steering cooler pipe $160, dodgy airbag pre tensioners $?? ( i just don't want to know), cracked idler pully $280, vacume leaks $120, noisy as **** startup - priceless.

Those costs are just parts btw - so sounds like you got off lightly.

you gotta love the VT.

All i can say is invest in a good set of tools.

[s_ikari2015]

let's go through your checklist there... I haven't gotten off lightly on anything.

I've had the power steering pump AND rack replaced, $2,500 fitted for reco'ed stuff... I don't have LSD, I don't have ABS (lucky I know)... I ignore the intermittant warning lights because numerous tests have shown nothing wrong with the airbags/pretensioners (we hope), front sway bar bushes and link pins, twice... intermittant brake shudder that I finally fixed after 3 sets of front pads and 4 new rotors (one each wheel)... replaced front wheel bearings due to being worn out by 170,000 kms (and no mechanic believed me when I told them I knew it was the bearing making the noise and vibration)... rear wheel shearing 4 studs at the same time for no apparent reason with only one stud holding the wheel on(on the freeway at 100km/h)... remote central locking rarely works, doubly so when it's raining... left park lamp constantly blows but the fuse doesn't...

I've spent thousands and thousands on this VT.. and I'm going to be spending more in the next week or so because I'll need to...

Just when I think I'm out, it pulls me back in! o.0

[cookp]

i feel your pain !

[Hot-Rod]

Man you guys shoulda bought a series 2 or better yet a VX!.

[coasty]

my vt berlina has had nothing go wrong since i bought it except the power steering pump. watch it fall apart now i just jinxed myself.

[AttaBoy]

Well...its a commodore........

[NORTI]

*sigh* early girls FTW!!!

[BOGANV8]

sounds like you got a small leak in your heater core & they're going to have to rip half your dash out to replace it !.




cracked idler pully $280, .

can explain this one a bit more $280 for parts for a plastic idler pulley HUH!!!!!

[wrx884]

definatly heater core mines doin the same atm i 2 dont get a pool of coolent in the cabin either cept mine only leaks outside of the car wen i put the aircon on from the drain pipe, weird i know but all the signs r there and its not gonna b cheap no mechanic likes 2 do it coz as said all the dash has 2 come out 2 get 2 the heater core so ur lookin around 800-1000 on just that

[cookp]

can explain this one a bit more $280 for parts for a plastic idler pulley HUH!!!!!

yes just for an idler pulley, 1 year ago that is (NZ $).

Man you guys shoulda bought a series 2 or better yet a VX!.

Yes, only mine is a series II ! perhaps i would've been better with my trusty VR SS but hey, i just love the look of the VT & how much fun it is to drive.

Anyhoo, the newer models seem to be having there fair share of problems also so not only related to the VT

[accentstencil]

yes just for an idler pulley, 1 year ago that is

You would be better off hopping on a plane to Sydney to buy your parts because you are paying 10 times the price. Perhaps you could get someone to send parts to you from Australia, it would be cheaper for smaller parts, if they aren't urgent.

[s_ikari2015]

Today my car decided it wanted to tell me it was "hot". I think it is leaking more than I would care to imagine. Either that or it is just messing with the pressure and adding air bubbles, which I think is more likely.

I'll be topping up the radiator every day now, trying to mend a dyke with a finger I guess.