Ok, I'm going to sound like a real noob here. I own a 2000 Vx Commodore station wagon. I drove it from NSW to W.A in 2018 and had no issues. But since being here I've had to take it to be blue slipped before I can register it. Well low and behold, they found numerous problems. I've fixed the majority myself, BUT, I had a mechanic come out to remove my sum bolt for me, thanks to the previous owner rounding it. When he drained the oil, He showed me that it was milky coffee sort of colour. He pointed to what I believe is the inlet manifold and said it's usually the gasket on there that goes. My issue is, I don't want to be replacing something that it's not. Yeah I know, stingey haha.. But my question is, what sort of symptoms will the car display if it is the inlet manifold gasket? Or a blown head gasket? The coolant level hasn't dropped so this is why I am confused. Fyi, I had the car stored at Bridgetown whilst it was really cold. So I also wonder if it may have been condensation build up. **Another issue** Whilst I have been driving along, the button that you push to stop outside air coming through the vents, turns itself off and let's air in. I know it's not a major issue but is still annoying. I'm desperate to get my car running. Apologies for asking simple things.. but I'm trying to fix this car myself without it becoming so expensive (Single mum)
Most likely LIM gaskets, head gaskets rarely give problems on the V6 Eco and Buick. If it has never been done before they will most definitely be leaking.
The inlet manifold gasket is a common problem with the vx commodore . I had to do mine on my old vx . The bolts that hold the manifold tend to come loose over time . One way to make sure it is the manifold is to check the bolts with a spanner to see if they have come undone .
I second that ! I got a 10mm ring spanner, and found "all" of the LIM bolts loose, And got at least a good 1/4 of a turn on them to tighten them, So LIM Gaskets are in order for my Super6 very soon.
If your not loosing coolant then how did the water get in, wounder if the engine was hosed down and water got in, if it was a head gasket you be over heating and loosing loads of coolant out your exhaust, there be like steam coming out. Only other thing will be the water is filling back up the radiator from the reserve (overflow) bottle when shut off.
I will definitely give that a look in the morning. And no doubt go get what I need. Thankyou for the advice. Don't mean to sound like a stinge. I've already replaced engine mounts, sway bars and links, starter motor, radiator, fuel filter, oil filter, plugs, leads, the list goes on haha.. just been one thing after another since I started work on it
No worries we are all here to help each other . It's not being stingey, why pay someone to do a job when you can do it yourself if you are capable to do it .
Ok.. I finally got time to go check. And I was wrong about the coolant, it is disappearing. Even squeezed the hose and there was nothing. Bolts were loose on the LIM as well. Guess I'll be needing to run an engine flush through it to get all the milky crap out after the gaskets are done. I'm learning all this as I do it. *VX got my daughter and I from the Hunter Valley NSW to Perth in 4 days when we moved a yr ago, and didn't skip a beat (forgot to service it before the drive). So I can't complain haha
Just heads up sometimes can get a cheap price from mobile mechanics thst are not franchise in perth area i know in bunbury there is a dude that did my kframe for 300 bucks 4 half hour job mesh automotive ..do it yourself proberly need a torque wtench if you dont have one
Don't waste money on engine flush, 13 bucks for 125ml of diesel they are ripping people off, have a look at the ingredients 'Hydrocarbons = 100% no different to normal diesel, by the looks of the rockers I would remove both covers and with a good brush that wont fall apart give it a brush over with diesel then brush fresh cheap home brand oil over the top, repeat the same in the valley once you remove the inlet manifold. After replacing your LIM gasket not forgetting the 4 dobs of high temp RTV silicone in the corners, Add 50ml of diesel to every litre of home brand oil making around 4.8l to top it up, run the engine at idle for 10-15 min drain the stuff out and your ready to put new oil and filter on, which reminds me remove the oil filter and flush it out with diesel save wasting money on a extra filter, there plenty of how too on changing the LIM gasket on here or on u-tube. If you get stuck don't be shy to ask for help.
Torque wrench is good but not critical just nip the bolts up till they seat using fingers tight and give it about a half a turn each then another 1/4 to half each you don't want to over do them or they will strip. The inner plenum is around 14-16Nm the out side no more than 12Nm but like I said everything can be found on other threads just type in the search bar. If you want you can pick a cheap torque wrench on ebay but you will need one that starts around 10Nm, 3/8 drive should do it. Good luck.
