car apparently needs new motor???

[stellabella]

I have a 2005 vz. has done 150,000 kms, services every six months

was missing slightly at speed but had coil replaced at last service. Then there was a knocking like tappet noise. The car was driven home and parked outside, then later driven up drive. When I went to drive it to mechanics a week later it wouldn't start. Battery was charged fully and car would almost start but not quite, and needed to be towed to mechanic. (ultratune). They have now told me theres no compression (around 18 psi) the timing chain has jumped three cogs and it will cost around $5000 to repair my car with a reconditioned motor.
To get another mechanics opinion will mean my car needs to be towed to another mechanic. Can anyone give me any advice, or recommend a really good commodore mechanic in the Beenleigh Qld area. We used to use Geoff Jenner and he was brilliant but is no longer trading. Many thanks

[aaronevolution]

You could get a 6 Litre L98 for less.

[one_and_only2004]

You could get a 6 Litre L98 for less.

Hardly. You're looking at a gearbox, computers, the motor - all installed and programmed into a v6. Good luck doing that for 5k.

A quick look on ebay shows an alloytec on there for $2400 - it'll bolt straight in and shouldn't cost more than $1000 to have installed.

[VKCOMMO]

While you're on it.. see if you can get a 190 motor..

[Johnsy]

^^ I agree... but it may be worth the cost of the tow for a second opinion.........

[aaronevolution]

Hardly. You're looking at a gearbox, computers, the motor - all installed and programmed into a v6. Good luck doing that for 5k.

A quick look on ebay shows an alloytec on there for $2400 - it'll bolt straight in and shouldn't cost more than $1000 to have installed.

I trolled.

Is it worth spending $5000 on a car that's worth $5-8k?

[fuzzy2308]

I trolled.

Is it worth spending $5000 on a car that's worth $5-8k?

depends how you like it

[one_and_only2004]

While you're on it.. see if you can get a 190 motor..

You'd probably need a tune to activate the extra VVT on the 190 motor.

[Calaber]

Back to the OP'S question..I don't think she's after a V8 or a 190 - she just wants help to get her car back on the road.

You say there is almost no compression - is that on all cylinders? If so, when he says the timing chain has "jumped three cogs" (that's a lot of slack in the timing chain!), then the compression could be down in all cylinders because the valve timing is completely out, not because the motor is stuffed. I think it's just possible the problem is restricted to the the timing chains and tensioners, if you are lucky. The fact that the engine still turns over is good because it means the valves aren't hitting the pistons, so there might be no internal damage. It's just a guess, but I reckon the quote for a complete engine is bullshit.

I would definitely get a second opinion, but not from a Holden dealer. Can anybody suggest a reputable mechanic in the OP's area?

[strgas]

within the motor trade we have a saying for ultratune " WE GET IT RIGHT EVENTUALLY " get a second opinion for sure if your a member of RACQ have them take a look at it or to recommend a repairer for you . Some shops like ultratune will take the cheap way to fix the car and that is to replace the motor with a second hand unit from the wreckers save times on diagnosis and a easy fix take out the old engine fit second hand one fill with oil and water no more to do.

[Reaper]

within the motor trade we have a saying for ultratune " WE GET IT RIGHT EVENTUALLY " get a second opinion for sure if your a member of RACQ have them take a look at it or to recommend a repairer for you . Some shops like ultratune will take the cheap way to fix the car and that is to replace the motor with a second hand unit from the wreckers save times on diagnosis and a easy fix take out the old engine fit second hand one fill with oil and water no more to do.

There are plenty of other places where that saying equally applies, with a few that have the slightly different "We never get it right" also applying. Anyhow - I'd look at a second opinion. FYI: http://holmart.com.au/online/prod108.htm

Reaper

[richardpalinkas]

same thing happened to a car at work, 175 alloytec, no compression and the mechanics thought it was a blown engine. one of the mechanics there said that a problem with bike engines is that the piston seals shrink and therefore the piston cannot create any compression due to lack of oil, a in such instance if a car has not been started for a while, the mechanic then poured oil into each cylinder to lubricate the seals and wolah, car started and ran fine. how do the mechanics know that the timing chain has jumped 3 cogs?

[Calaber]

same thing happened to a car at work, 175 alloytec, no compression and the mechanics thought it was a blown engine. one of the mechanics there said that a problem with bike engines is that the piston seals shrink and therefore the piston cannot create any compression due to lack of oil, a in such instance if a car has not been started for a while, the mechanic then poured oil into each cylinder to lubricate the seals and wolah, car started and ran fine. how do the mechanics know that the timing chain has jumped 3 cogs?

I also thought of the question about assessing the "3 cog jump" - just how would they know such a thing, but as there has been a problem with timing chains stretching on Alloytecs, I suppose it's possible.

Question though. Don't motor bike engines have compression and oil control rings like a car engine? What "seals" shrink on a motorcycle engine when deprived of oil which would prevent it from starting?

Injecting a cylinder with oil will certainly restore some compression but only a small amount by filling the gap between the compression rings and the cylinder wall. It's hard to imagine that doing so will restore compression to the point where the car will start. (Be a bloody smoky start, too.)

[richardpalinkas]

dunno, but thats how one alloytec was fixed, and had similar issues with the op

[stellabella]

[QUOTE=stellabella;1988851]I have a 2005 vz. has done 150,000 kms, services every six months

was missing slightly at speed but had coil replaced at last service. Then there was a knocking like tappet noise. The car was driven home and parked outside, then later driven up drive. When I went to drive it to mechanics a week later it wouldn't start. Battery was charged fully and car would almost start but not quite, and needed to be towed to mechanic. (ultratune). They have now told me theres no compression (around 18 psi) the timing chain has jumped three cogs and it will cost around $5000 to repair my car with a reconditioned motor.
To get another mechanics opinion will mean my car needs to be towed to another mechanic. Can anyone give me any advice, or recommend a really good commodore mechanic in the Beenleigh Qld area. We used to use Geoff Jenner and he was brilliant but is no longer trading. Many thanks[/QUOTE

my hubby is impressed with the replies and would like to add... thanks to the responses. Mechanic only replaced 1/2 coil at service. Low compression is in 2 cylinders. They are saying being a late model we will have to recon our motor , and we cannot use a older motor because it will not mate with our car computer. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic near Beenleigh]

[Reaper]

ffs - just put a crate motor in it. You can get an exact motor to suit your car from GM new. Check out Holmart at the link I posted above.

Reaper

[Drewie]

Definetly get a second opinion, if the motor spins over with out any thing hitting, the low compression may just be due to the valve timing being out due to an issue with the chain etc. ie: piston coming up to TDC on its compression stroke but the valves not fully closed.

[Commo_Carl]

ACDelco Australia

they do motors for just about every car. I've got one in mine for my VR, way too easy and ####ing CHEAP, was only $2300 delivered to local holden spare parts.