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VZ Calais Aircon/transmission/something

HSVBoI

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So, ever since owning my '06 VZ Calais V6? (bought in May 2013) with 102,000km on the clock, I've noticed it's very loud inside with the aircon on.
It makes a loud humming noise which increases with RPM and I find the car very sluggish, to the point when I overtake on the highway I actually turn the aircon off so it's not sluggish and laggy. I've "revved" the engine with it in park and I can still hear a slight humming which increases with RPM but not as bad when it's in drive.

When the aircon is turned off it's heaps more responsive, feels like it has a lot more power and not as loud but still has a slight "hydraulic" type of noise which sounds like it comes from the transmission. It changes gears nicely, responsibly smooth and kicks down gears well, but lately I've noticed when I am doing 60km/h and take my foot off the accelerator I get a sort of vibration sound as the car engine brakes, not sure if it's the gearbox of not?

As far as I know, the transmission hasn't been touched since new, it now has 125,500km with myself only really driving it when I drive from my home town to Perth (about 2 hours each way) Which brings me to when I get to 110km/h and put it on cruise the rpm is usually at about 2350rpm and then drops down to about 2050rpm over about 5 seconds. Could all this be caused by the transmission wanting a service?

I have a fuel filter sitting around waiting to be installed when I can finally get the old one out! Tried about 5 times, no luck!


So, at this point, any help/suggestions would be awesome. Keep in mind, I live 2 hours away from Perth so I try and do everything myself and I only use the best for my car. Cheers.

PS. Sorry, I tend to write a lot! Work requires me to be detailed when typing. :\
 

diysv6

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'06 VZ Calais V6? (bought in May 2013) with 102,000km on the clock...................


I have a fuel filter sitting around waiting to be installed when I can finally get the old one out! Tried about 5 times, no luck!


So, at this point, any help/suggestions would be awesome. Keep in mind, I live 2 hours away from Perth so I try and do everything myself and I only use the best for my car. Cheers.

PS. Sorry, I tend to write a lot! Work requires me to be detailed when typing. :\

Try this link for the fuel filter change. DGP and pbax have nailed it down very well. Manual extracts, good write up and images.

http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/vz-holden-commodore-2004-2006/241687-2nd-rookie-post-day.html
 

diysv6

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If the transmission has not been serviced, then I would get it done. Holden suggest a fluid change at about 10 years from memory, so most folk probably forget about it.

I took mine to a transmission specialist rather than the Holden dealership to avoid an oil change only type service. The service does not include a flush of the lines/cooler etc. That's an extra. Got the diff done as well. The specialist used the Holden lubricants in both cases. Said the transmission fluid was showing signs of absorbed moisture which interfered with the operations, gear changes etc. He recommended transmission fluid changes every 40,000km from memory. Transmission felt smoother after the service.

The fuel filter could be causing some starvation under various loads, so changing it is a good idea, as you have one on hand. Make certain that it is installed in the correct flow direction.

Some cabin noise from the airconditioner has been traced to the large diameter coolant line through the firewall near the expansion valve, (the aluminium block), rubbing against the body work. Don't know if this is part of your noise problem.

Loss of engine power - is the compressor is good condition?

If you can get a diagnostic check done it might show up some past event DTC with the aircon transmission engine etc. SCA have a reasonably priced check about $15 -$30 at some of their stores which may help. The Tech2 is the best diagnostic around but generally need a dealer - with the higher cost.
 

HSVBoI

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Thanks for the suggestions.

I am going to try and get my car booked in for a transmission service as soon as I can. Rang a few people up and asked about what they do, I got different answers from each, ranging from.
- We just connect a machine and pump new fluid in until it starts to come out clean, we don't change the filter. (Wrong answer)
- We will empty the fluid from the transmission and then fill it up again (Wrong answer)
- We change the filter, flush the whole transmission and put everything back together and fill it up with generic fluid (Close, but still wrong answer)

I heard the 5L40E transmission is very sensitive to fluid type and how it's serviced, correct? I was hoping one place would tell me they flush the old fluid out, change the filter and o-ring and fill the system with Dex III or VI. When I went looking for Dex VI I got told it didn't exist! WHAT?! That was from Repco! Oh, I was also keen to have the diff serviced as when i had to sit in the back on my car on a trip, it did sound a little noisy, so might be something to look at.

Now, this pain in the ar$e fuel filter, I am thinking it might be a job for this weekend, as well as detailing my car, it usually gets washed twice a month and probably driven once a month but new jobs means I drive it near daily! At least I'll be getting paid to work on my car this long weekend. :beer chug:

If I get any results, I'll let you guys know! Cheers!
 

diysv6

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Thanks for the suggestions.

I am going to try and get my car booked in for a transmission service as soon as I can. Rang a few people up and asked about what they do, I got different answers from each, ranging from.
- We just connect a machine and pump new fluid in until it starts to come out clean, we don't change the filter. (Wrong answer)
- We will empty the fluid from the transmission and then fill it up again (Wrong answer)
- We change the filter, flush the whole transmission and put everything back together and fill it up with generic fluid (Close, but still wrong answer)

I heard the 5L40E transmission is very sensitive to fluid type and how it's serviced, correct? I was hoping one place would tell me they flush the old fluid out, change the filter and o-ring and fill the system with Dex III or VI. When I went looking for Dex VI I got told it didn't exist! WHAT?! That was from Repco! Oh, I was also keen to have the diff serviced as when i had to sit in the back on my car on a trip, it did sound a little noisy, so might be something to look at.

Now, this pain in the ar$e fuel filter, I am thinking it might be a job for this weekend, as well as detailing my car, it usually gets washed twice a month and probably driven once a month but new jobs means I drive it near daily! At least I'll be getting paid to work on my car this long weekend. :beer chug:

If I get any results, I'll let you guys know! Cheers!

Must admit, I was miffed when after the service the specialist told me that they didn't flush it out. So next service I will get the flush as well.
Can you purchase the GM oils and ask the specialist to use them, he may be wanting some money to keep his doors open?

Re the fuel filter change, some members have suggested to do the filter change with a low tank of fuel. There was some problem with syphoning if the tank is full.
 
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st3r3otyp3

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Thanks for the suggestions.

I am going to try and get my car booked in for a transmission service as soon as I can. Rang a few people up and asked about what they do, I got different answers from each, ranging from.
- We just connect a machine and pump new fluid in until it starts to come out clean, we don't change the filter. (Wrong answer)
- We will empty the fluid from the transmission and then fill it up again (Wrong answer)
- We change the filter, flush the whole transmission and put everything back together and fill it up with generic fluid (Close, but still wrong answer)

I heard the 5L40E transmission is very sensitive to fluid type and how it's serviced, correct? I was hoping one place would tell me they flush the old fluid out, change the filter and o-ring and fill the system with Dex III or VI. When I went looking for Dex VI I got told it didn't exist! WHAT?! That was from Repco! Oh, I was also keen to have the diff serviced as when i had to sit in the back on my car on a trip, it did sound a little noisy, so might be something to look at.

Now, this pain in the ar$e fuel filter, I am thinking it might be a job for this weekend, as well as detailing my car, it usually gets washed twice a month and probably driven once a month but new jobs means I drive it near daily! At least I'll be getting paid to work on my car this long weekend. :beer chug:

If I get any results, I'll let you guys know! Cheers!

I think you mean dex 4, full synthetic? yer it does exist. get the genuine stuff IMO AC DELCO MAKE IT.
 

HSVBoI

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I think you mean dex 4, full synthetic? yer it does exist. get the genuine stuff IMO AC DELCO MAKE IT.
No, I mean Dex VI (6). GM went from III to VI, don't know why, doesn't really make sense.

So, I managed to finally change the fuel filter. Took a little over an hour as I had to modify a fuel line removal tool as the repo filter had shorter ends for the hose to clip on compared to the GM filter so after I sorted that out, it was a quick out with the old in with the new GM filter. I don't know why, but the GM filter seemed a tiny bit smaller? It still works fine. Took the car for a test drive, nothing major has changed, just goes through the rev range a tad smoother.

Must admit, I was miffed when after the service the specialist told me that they didn't flush it out. So next service I will get the flush as well.
Can you purchase the GM oils and ask the specialist to use them, he may be wanting some money to keep his doors open?

Re the fuel filter change, some members have suggested to do the filter change with a low tank of fuel. There was some problem with syphoning if the tank is full.
I have the filter, new gasket and oil sitting in the shed waiting, been like that for a couple months now. I just wanted to see what service places would use. I might just not worry about the Dex III, that I already have an go buy from Dex VI, will be peace of mind using full synthetic stuff. Lucky for me, I haven't been within 50km of a servo that sells 98oct fuel so I only have 1/4 tank, so that was handy, hoping I can make it last till I head to Perth, I try and avoid getting fuel from where I live, messes with my car badly.
 
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