VE Omega 06- Timing Chains

[dos9]

Hey guys,

I bought a VE Omega 06 Dual Fuel about 10 months ago that has 200000 on the clock, drove it for about 3 months or so and got check engine light coming up.
My brother being a mechanic scanned it and came up with the timing chains being stretched. He does not specialise in Holden's and hasn't previously done this sort of job. I was told by some that it inst a job for someone who hasn't got much experience with Holden's and timing chains.

Would greatly appreciate if i received some help from fellow holder owners on advice on getting the chains replaced. I live in Epping, Victoria. I would appreciate it if someone knows a good mechanic that has done chains before at decent price around the area. I got quoted 1800 from a mechanic in Werribee but will cost me nearly 300 dollars to tow it there as the car is in bad shape and don't want to take the risk.
Thanks for your time.

 

[SV6.07]

$1800 is not to bad of price. i paid $1600 for mine. most charge over $2000 holden can charge $4000 so your price its not to bad. whats the codes that came up. if u do a search on here. for ve timing chain problem. u will see heaps of threads on it.

 

[carcollector]

Why do you say it's in bad shape - just because of the code? You have a couple of options. If it's only the check engine light coming up and no physical problems, you can still drive it to the mechanic. There is also a software update that Holden can do which relaxes the tolerances for timing chain stretch. This doesn't fix the problem, but it does stop the error codes coming up until the chains are really stretched (that's not as bad as it sounds - engine timing chains have been around since engines have been around, and earlier engines survived quite OK with much more timing stretch that what would set off a VE code). It's also a whole lot cheaper than getting the chains replaced. Yours being a 2006 model may also need a "VIM amp delete" rework if you decide to go down the software upgrade path - the later software which recalibrates the timing chain settings does not support the earlier VE (ie 2006) variable intake manifold hardware fitted to the engine.You will need this if your build date is prior to 15/12/06 (might be if your ISOVIN is earlier than 6G1EKS2897L902727) For a software update and a VIM modification, you should be charged less than $500, maybe even as low as $300. Ring your nearest Holden dealer and ask how much the software upgrade will cost. If they don't know what you're talking about, quote Holden's reference "TIS2WEB" bulletin, and ask them to check if your car will need the VIM amp delete (TL1218-0702)" done as well.

Hope this helps.

Dave G.

 

[dos9]

$1800 is not to bad of price. i paid $1600 for mine. most charge over $2000 holden can charge $4000 so your price its not to bad. whats the codes that came up. if u do a search on here. for ve timing chain problem. u will see heaps of threads on it.

Yeah i guess so, I called up a holden place and got quoted 3600. He said we do all the tensions, guides etc etc whereas local mechanics just replace chains. You think that's true? Do you mind if i grab your mechanics details off you? I did a quick search, looks like its very common in the early VE's. . Im not sure of the exact codes, but he said the sensors were going off indicating stretched chains. Car makes rattle , no power and goes into some mode were it just dies and doesn't go over 60.

Do i do the software update after i get the chains replaced? The engine light keeps on beeping and flashing when i drive it so not sure if it will make it there. All my local mechanics sound dodgy, last thing i want is giving it someone that makes the problem worse.

 

[carcollector]

"Car makes rattle" sounds like a worry - the chains would have to be REALLY stretched for you to notice a rattling noise. Is it exaclty the same on petrol as well as LPG? In my experience, even with the timing chain stretch code coming up, the car still drove OK, with only slghtly less power and certainly drove ok above 60 kph. I wonder if you've had a tensioner fail, which has caused one or more of the chains to become very loose. The timing chain sensors on the front of the engine can easily be removed, and you can see/feel the fronts of the cam gears. If a chain is REALLY loose, or a tensioner is stuffed, your brother may be able to feel this by having a gentle prod at the cam gears.

Sorry, very hard to diagnose over the web, but I'd suggest at least trying the software update (and VIM removal if required) first if you can get it to a dealer. If no go, then you'll need to shop around for timing chain replacement costs, which appear to vary a lot for no good reason. In my experience, a reputable private mechanic business is just as good as a reputable Holden service business. If you're a member of RACV, you could at least ring them and ask for a list of their local approved mechanical repairers.

 

[SJM38S]

I've had a couple in at work with stretched enough chains to hear the rattle.
Also "tis2web" is an online feature of Holden's website, not a bulletin.
The upgrade could be tried before doing the chains, as its a cheaper option and should be carried out either way. However if you can genuinely hear them because of stretching - they'll need doing and likely some guides also. Expect it off the road for 2-3 days (day 1: strip down, assess, order parts. Day 2: wait. Day 3: hopefully parts are there and all can be assembled and tested).
Cheers.

 

[sv6 power]

The whole kit is around $1200 and fitting should be just 1 day,it took us guys with the mace cams to get them fitted in 1 day, why should it take longer just for the timing kit to get installed.

 

[SV6.07]

strange it going into limp mode . all that happened to mine was loss of power and thats it. i would be trying to get the codes so we can tell u 100% what they are. . mine didnt go into limp mode which sounds like yours is doing. everyone i have talked to about timing chain problems just had like mine. loss of power. some had the rattle. when it started but none said about there car going into limp mode.. this is why i was asking about the codes. sound like maybe something else is giving u the loss of power and limp mode. i am in melbourne.. where are u. the guy who did mine is Peerless auto in lynbrook. melbourne even gave me a car to use while mine was in workshop. took day and half for the work. runs just like before now. smooth. and the power been restored.

 

[Mark Kakouri]

If you have a Alloytek engine that needs timing chains done
Come and see me at Autocure
Ill do them for 1800.00 with quality parts and a 12 mth guarantee
97063518