new spark plugs for vz commodore

[vz23kq]

hey people.
when i go to start the ignition on me vz, it sometimes laggs a bit or even doesnt kick over, many people have told me its my spark plugs, well i think its time to change them and i have no idea what to change them to.. buy original from holden for the vz or a more sports brand? ive been told to look for platnium spark plugs or even laser platnium. whats the go what should i be looking for or does this even matter?

[Trevhead62]

How good is your battery? Try a different one. One that's known to be good. I've heard that a drop in cranking voltage can cause that.

[abg]

I would definitely look at the battery first, then possibly the starter motor. When you say it doesn't kick over do you mean it doesn't turn over at all? Or it keeps turning over but doesn't fire?

NGK platinum plugs are $70 from Supercheap, I would only buy parts from Holden as a last resort. They're not the easiest engine to change plugs on as the intake manifold needs to come off, but it shouldn't take more than an hour.

[HoldenOnn]

If you do buy spark plugs, just go to Holden and buy the genuine plugs they supply. Obviously they get a company whether it NGK or the like to make them and they put their name on them, but just buy from Holden. Alot of the time Holden Genuine Parts are cheaper than other shops for aftermarket products. Last year I think I paid around $6.50 per plug as I get trade from Holden. But retail I think from memory was around $10-$12 each.

This is a no brainer putting in the same plugs that Holden use, especially if you car is albeit stock. I use all genuine parts where possible most of the time as they fit, and they do the job perfectly for what they were intended for.

Goodluck

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

Interesting point I noted that the intake manifold has to be removed to change the spark plugs.
I can't see anything for the plastic covers left and right. Sounds like an involved job for a techie, certainly not a DIY like myself (my car's under warranty / 5Y, so I don't do this stuff now). Are there gaskets that routinely go in during plug changes etc.?

As a quick aside, maybe somebody could enlighten the curious amongst us about Holden's SIDI — something to do with spark plugs.
What is it? What makes it superior in smaller engines? And has it really been around longer than Holden claiims to have discovered it?? My friend's VE OMEGA SIDI, with smaller engine (3.0) appears to be extremely quiet and smooth and more powerful than the bigger Alloytec I have. All things considered, probably some big fundamental differences...

[Luke52]

The engine covers just kinda click into place, no bolts or anything.

In regards to the plugs, platinum/iridium/precious metal plugs are standard on the Alloytec motor. They last for about 80,000-100,000km as opposed to normal plugs, which last approximately 10,000km. As others have mentioned, it's a bit of an involved job as you need to remove the intake manifold to get to the bastards, which is why you'd want long-life plugs in there.

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

"..platinum/iridium/precious metal plugs"

Wha—? Strewth! One learns something utterly invaluable and interesting here every day!

[trenooo]

also when changing the plugs for the first time, a new gasket will be needed as the old one will break and cause vacuum leaks, looking at around 60? for a new one

[abg]

As a quick aside, maybe somebody could enlighten the curious amongst us about Holden's SIDI — something to do with spark plugs.
What is it? What makes it superior in smaller engines? And has it really been around longer than Holden claiims to have discovered it?? My friend's VE OMEGA SIDI, with smaller engine (3.0) appears to be extremely quiet and smooth and more powerful than the bigger Alloytec I have. All things considered, probably some big fundamental differences...

Mitsubishi was the first in modern times to use direct injection, starting in 1996 and with over 1 million examples sold. In the following years it's been used by just about every major car manufacturer. Holden being 10+ years behind in technology and design is not exactly out of the ordinary, they're definitely not known for innovation. Wikipedia has lots of info on direct injection here Gasoline direct injection - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Luke52]

"..platinum/iridium/precious metal plugs"

Wha—? Strewth! One learns something utterly invaluable and interesting here every day!

Standard plugs have a nickel centre electrode, while (as the name suggests) precious metal plugs have centre electrodes made from platinum or iridium. With higher melting points (or something like that) the platinum/iridium plugs are more durable, and last a lot longer.

[vz23kq]

I would definitely look at the battery first, then possibly the starter motor. When you say it doesn't kick over do you mean it doesn't turn over at all? Or it keeps turning over but doesn't fire?

NGK platinum plugs are $70 from Supercheap, I would only buy parts from Holden as a last resort. They're not the easiest engine to change plugs on as the intake manifold needs to come off, but it shouldn't take more than an hour.

meaning when i put the key in and turn it, it makes the sound but takes abit long from 4-8 seconds between that. but sometimes it takes 10 seconds and just stops meaning the car does not start. not sure what it is, but i have changed the battery to something that most commodores use which is GREAT, the car is starting which means it cant be the starter motor its just not kicking over after the starter moter does its job? some people have told me change the spark plugs? but i have no idea if there will be a point, me cars only on 45000 ks

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

Remember that these Commodores (VZ et al) have an auto-start function; no need to hold the key down, just turn and release, and the engine fires. Now, consider what could be at fault when that simple action of turning the key does not create the auto-start. Where would you start to even speculate? It's a bit like trying to unscramble the Saturday morning egg. I think the best thing is to roll the car in to a techie and give it a quite once-over, especially since the car has only logged 45,000km and it's assumed there is some sort of warranty??

[vz23kq]

Remember that these Commodores (VZ et al) have an auto-start function; no need to hold the key down, just turn and release, and the engine fires. Now, consider what could be at fault when that simple action of turning the key does not create the auto-start. Where would you start to even speculate? It's a bit like trying to unscramble the Saturday morning egg. I think the best thing is to roll the car in to a techie and give it a quite once-over, especially since the car has only logged 45,000km and it's assumed there is some sort of warranty??

hey vz go kart. yeh i have always started my vz like turn the key and let go and it should kickover by itsself. but today it didnt even start had to try it twice. holden are seirously a BIG waste of time. will never let them touch my car with or without warrenty, you give the car to them to check one thing, you get it back to find out 2 days after another problem. they are dopey appprenteces., but back to the start of my car i have no idea what i should do? what do you mean by roll the car in to a techie and give it a quite once-over

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

vz23kqWell, you've stated that you consider Holden a big waste of time, yet the problem you are experiencing cannot be solved by continued speculation, which wastes more time. Lots of things come to mind e.g. blocked injector(s), fuel pump or pump solenoid/relay, starter (these last three items are of interest because of the mentioned delay between turning the key and ignition)... I reckon somebody here will nail the problem but if you're really pressed for time maybe a trip to an independent mechanic (if not Holden) will be worth your while, hence my mention of roll the car in to a techie and give it a quite once-over — maybe I should have been more concise with my wording, LOL!

[vz23kq]

vz23kqWell, you've stated that you consider Holden a big waste of time, yet the problem you are experiencing cannot be solved by continued speculation, which wastes more time. Lots of things come to mind e.g. blocked injector(s), fuel pump or pump solenoid/relay, starter (these last three items are of interest because of the mentioned delay between turning the key and ignition)... I reckon somebody here will nail the problem but if you're really pressed for time maybe a trip to an independent mechanic (if not Holden) will be worth your while, hence my mention of roll the car in to a techie and give it a quite once-over — maybe I should have been more concise with my wording, LOL!

HAHA nahh man i kinda new what you were saying, yeh but im flat-out with work and seeing as i have no idea what the problem is i cant fix this myself. yeh might take it to a mechanics, don't waste my time like Holden do, but even then mechanics would probably fix one things and ill have to take it there again lol but it is pissing me of when i try start it and hear it making the turn on sound but no kick over which makes people look like Wat the hell is wrong with his car lol

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

Any well known mechanic could check you out (er, the car, sorry...). How well he/she goes depends on how well you brief them on the problem and demonstrate it. All things are related!
Over the 7-8 years I've been here, I had nothing but stirling, first class service from my local mechanic/garage 1km down the road — neither a Holden nor Ford nor FourXXXX dealer, but a Repco Premium Service Centre. He got to know "Bertha Bigwheels", my 16-year old V6, over 7 years after I relocated here, and he was promptly booking her in immediately for anything from dodgy handbrakes, coilpack replacement, starter motor and fuel pumps. Bertha is long gone (as I understand it, recycled as a set of gleaming green enamalled saucepans...). Now I'm with Holden looking after the much-loved Go-kart, and I'll be very, very keen and close to the action, to observe what comes over the next 5 years (after that time, the VZ goes for "the next big thing"!).

[sirjolly18]

Just bought a 2004 holden vz V6 ute 137 000km's with similar problems, its takes alot to start even warm. I plan on checking the plugs and leads on the weekend but i turn the key and it will kick over 3-6 times before firing and almost dying then catch up. I prime the fuel pump before a kick over and that seems to help a bit. But some TLC and i recon i can get it fixed or atleast running like my Holden VS v6. Kicks over instantly with a new starter motor, plugs, leads(All Bosch). Got a century battery, more than 4 years old. Both LPG/Petrol no problem.