VZ Equipe (plastics, leaks, etc)

[LaoK]

I have a 2005 (July purchase) VZ Equipe. Only done 2,000Km as at October, 2005
- From day One the left front passenger door lock knob came off in my hand. I was given a new one by a Holden Dealer and I used a 1.5mm crochet hook to remove the faulty one. A good tip there.
- The plastic air scoop plug at the left of the front moulding doesn't fit securely, as one of the plastic clips is useless. I have a piece of plastic jammed behind it at the moment and will get it replaced (hopefully) at the 3,000Km check.
- One of the Transmission oil line flexible pipe connections at the radiator was loose and I was getting fluid leaks on my driveway. I tightened that myself.
- At 2000Km the reminder appeared on the dash for the 3,000Km service. Thanks to his website I knew how to turn it off. Not that I am going to ignore the service, it's just that I don't need a constant reminder. (Depress both bottom buttons on the computer controls whilst you turn on the ignition, depress and hold the top right button until the warning is reset).
- The engine whines like a European vehicle and I'm not sure that it is any better than the previous design. It certainly isn't frisky (yet). I am awaiting the "anxious" feel that I have come to like about V6 Holden engines.

November, 2005
Had the vehicle (3,000Km) checked by my preferred Holden dealer.

The leak was the power steering cooler pipe. They replaced the pipe.

I removed the faulty plastic front scoop plug and handed it to them. I also marked it to check if they cheated by just fitting the same one back on. They had ordered a new one because I pre-warned them the day before to get one in stock.

My Holden dealer is used to me now. I photographed the car and gave them clear instructions (arrows on the photo) as to where the faults were and what I wanted done. I recommend that you all do the same. Printout a hardcopy list of what you want done. They get nervous that you have put it in writing. I also told them not to dare wash the car as I have polished it with Meguiar's nxt generation Tech Wax.

It surprised them when I started doing this with my 1995 VR Equipe. The mechanic foreman stated that he had never seen the likes of it before. They don't like me and the service staff try to avoid me. When I arrive, suddenly some of them get busy and disappear. Suits me, they don't even try to yank my chain. They know better.

[stew7700]

yeah i had the same thing with my sv6 with the leaking power steering cooler hoses, checked the power steer fluid one day and it was almost empty and found that all of the clamps on the cooler lines for the power steering were loose. So much for the 3k check where they say they check for loose clamps etc ay. Although this was at about 19k. As for the feeling of your alloytec, it has been noticed by alot of owners that these engines 'loosen up" so to speak with the more km's you've done. Give her time mate

[hsv_punk]

Its when you drop it in for that 'check' that the lines get loosened. Trust me we know from experience. Now when ever we get a car back from the dealer (they go there as little as possible) we go over it and tighten all the hoses.

[Torquative]

My turn!!

The Adventras a nice car but its got some dramas.

* A rattle in the roof lining somewhere. When you go over bumps and imperfections in the road it rattles like hell. Holden suggested it is the luggage cover because its a plastic think that sits in a plastic bracket and I can hear plastic on plastic rubbing. I removed it, the noise remained! Holden then replaced ALL the roof lining clips, well so they think (no one could read what the mechanic wrote on the job card). Problem was gone until I got up the road, shes back again!

* wheel off center - I replaced the standard one with a SV6 leather one which doesnt sit center. I told holden this, they told me not to worry. They did a wheel alignment - good as new. Err, dunno how but they managed to adjust the wheels aparently (needed a wheel alignment at 3000 k's?). didnt solve the steering wheel though

* rear washer jet never worked from day 1. Holden decided to replace the hose, connectors and tubing. Problem is they cant get the jet itself. This was a month ago and their still waiting for it. It wasnt a problem until I started driving in the wet and realised the rear window cops all the road grime and when you want to squirt some cleaner onto the window you cant!

* scratch on the front plastic trim has gone funny? I dont know why, it had a scratch when we picked it up, the dealers hit something (heres a hint, no they havent even thought we pointed it out before we even got the key) but now the area around it has gone a funny colour.

* drivers window clunks into position when fully closed. When its done this as you drive along you hear the whole door creak from the inside, something aint right! Its not all the time but it started to get more and more. Holden couldnt fault it when I dropped it in but its getting worse!

So much for the 3k check where they say they check for loose clamps etc ay

lol a mechic mate of mine said to holden "is this where you kick the tyres and say shes right" when we dropped the Addy in for its service, and the response was "pretty much"

[Stretchomatic]

wat adventra do u have v6 or v8? cos our v8's rear tyres wore down really unevenly, the tyre bloke (good fella, we know him pretty good) said that it was to do with the diff sending more power to one wheel than the other...is this possible with a all wheel drive car, i thought that both the rears would be equal and both the fronts would be equal...otherwise its a great car, great for towing (wish there was another gear though) and plenty of room in the back (i'm 6foot 4).

oh yeah, and dealers used to give us s**t aswell at services.

[Baritji]

Hmmm, interesting. The locks on both my doors fell off within a week!!