Alloytech stuff up

[torana355]

Well, I have proof that I lost power because of it, and the Techline article states that, but i wont argue about it.. it was fixed and there is a difference.

Its not actually a loose timing chain that is the fault. It is another component that causes the fault, including the chain. If you are interested, i can always pull out the service card and see if it states what was replaced.

As mine was under warranty, I didnt find out the cost, but because they had to strip most of the front of the engine down (they had to replace more than a timing chain), it took over 2 days to complete (probably the apprentices were doing it) and that would probably amount to a lot just in Labour Costs (specially delaership costs).

Rob

Fair enough where is the proof out of curiosity?

 

[VzVzVz]

Mine's done 130,700kms. No problems to report. I looked through the workshop manual, there are no recalls or build faults related to the timing chain. The yanks would've sorted the problem out before selling the motor to Holden anyway.

 

[VzVzVz]

Well, I have proof that I lost power because of it, and the Techline article states that, but i wont argue about it.. it was fixed and there is a difference.

Its not actually a loose timing chain that is the fault. It is another component that causes the fault, including the chain. If you are interested, i can always pull out the service card and see if it states what was replaced.

As mine was under warranty, I didnt find out the cost, but because they had to strip most of the front of the engine down (they had to replace more than a timing chain), it took over 2 days to complete (probably the apprentices were doing it) and that would probably amount to a lot just in Labour Costs (specially delaership costs).

Rob

You got something against apprentices? Most jobs are done better by apprentices because they follow the book. Most mechanics will do something their own way and might miss important details. Sure, the hours are longer, but the job is done to the letter.

I'm only 2 months into my diesel mechanic apprenticeship, and I'm already doing a rebuild on a truck engine. I'm following procedure by the book and asking if I have any problems. The job is not rushed, and the customer can sleep easy.

 

[Benboy]

You got something against apprentices? Most jobs are done better by apprentices because they follow the book. Most mechanics will do something their own way and might miss important details. Sure, the hours are longer, but the job is done to the letter.

I'm only 2 months into my diesel mechanic apprenticeship, and I'm already doing a rebuild on a truck engine. I'm following procedure by the book and asking if I have any problems. The job is not rushed, and the customer can sleep easy.

Good on you for having a go. Hopefully your employer only charges customers an hourly rate to cover the cost of an apprentice, NOT the full going rate for a qualified mewchanic !!

 

[VZ-Rob]

Never had an issue and mine's just cranked over 150K
motor still feels fresh n' tight :smoking:

 

[supercellkid]

Once upon a time before I had enough money to buy my VZ calais, I had a 1997 Saab CD xxxx (cant remeber model numbers) It was an ok car apart from huge costs of repair (being euro).

There was a rattling / knocking coming from engine. I did the Handle of screw driver in ear thing (to use like stethoscope) and was relatively certain it was the timing chain.

One day while driving behind someone who was doing 60k in a 70k zone I got shitti and dropped from 4th to 2nd and engine would have hit roughly 5500rpm. While about midway through the overtake maneuver there was a very slight bang/loud knock and the engine went dead.

RACV towed me to the nearest Saab specialist (only one in Geelong) it was quickly determined that the timing chain had snapped (they will do this when loose, esp @ high RPM) (all I had to do was adjust the tensioner as it was an adjustable type)

So anyway, apparently with modern high output motors, esp those with high comp rations of 9:1 or greater the clearance between the piston tops and the bottom of the valves is very little, in fact they go beyond each other except they are timed to miss. So when or If your Cam suddenly;y stops turning because timing chain snapped (esp at high RPM) your crank will or rather can continue to turn for up to 2 or 3 seconds. In turn your pistons will continue to suck, squeeze, bang, blow. (thanks Mr Adams Newport TAFE) therefore your piston tops will have intercourse with the bottoms of your valves, thus bending every single one of them.

I can only imagine its the same with the Alloy tech as I have never had that prob with my VZ alloytech 190 (knck on wood) /me knocks on head. (now at 151,000Km (im a storm chaser))

So if it turns out that the Timing chain cannot be tightened by adjusting the Timing chain Tensioner then you MUST REPLACE the chain or you are up for many more dollars that $520.If it does Snap. Now if your concerned that I might not know what Im talking about, at least with the alloy tech, just ask your local Alloy tech expert. As in someone who is likely to have seen it all. Surely they will have come across Snapped Timming chains before. Ask them was there other damage caused after timing chain snapped.

BTW the SAAB dealer wanted $4500 to fix my saab motor. Turns out my brother in law was very good with Euro cars like Merc, Jag, BMW and esp Volvo. He quoted me $1500 of which $1400 was paid up front. He ended up not doing the work. Instead he said that I owed him for fines (not true) and the hire of $500 bombs he had loaned me while I waited almost a year for him to fix. In other words he was coming up with every bull dust excuse he could find to get out of doing it or paying me back.

The moral of that part is never EVER pay up front. I did coz 1) he was family, and 2) I felt sorry for him, as he (apparently) had been giving alot of credit to single mums and crap, and was broke)( oh yeah and he didnt even ask for money up front). I later find out he is a compulsive liar. Im worried if I say his name ill get in some kind of crap esp after all the defamation crap Ii have been hearing about on the news with re to Facebook and the like. Anyone know if I can legally say his name? Coz I would hate for him to work on any of you guys cars? Its not a bad idea to get feedback or reviews before undertaking large amounts of money to an unknown motor mech.

How do I hack TCS on my VZ calais? I want a little sideways action (please post me a oood link)

 

[simz1989]

Oh no mines at 63,XXX Km's, im not looking forward to this potential problem...

 

[richardpalinkas]

i have an 04 model, i have hit 156xxx and i have noticed from the first time i bought it (100,000), there was a noise at startup for about 2 sec, but never had any problems with the car. a little leaking from the waterpump i observed a few thousand k ago, but after i cleaned it off with degreaser, i have not seen any leaks yet. as far as im aware, the vz is a good engine, and the only downfall is in performance modifications. but as i said, 156xxx km and still going strong, and im not a light driver either, i do push the limits and never skipped a beat.

 

[Hangman]

Most jobs are done better by apprentices

I have nothing against apprentices, everyone's gotta learn somehow, but this made me chuckle.

 

[CRUSTIN]

I am a heavy diesel apprentice, so i know what i'm talking about. Apprentices make more dumb mistakes than tradesmen, but a tradesman may let something go because its not on the job sheet or its not broken yet.
Happens every day, not good when you ignore a safety problem on council buses. Some tradesman treat the vehicle as their own, others don't care.

But i would still rather have a tradesman work on my car, sorry VzVzVz.