Wow that has bloody low km for an 06.
Very well maintained I'm guessing I don't think this is a common failure?
The more you actually dig around, it's amazing what you find out after reading other people's experiences, which is great in hindsight, but you never really expect this from a trusted brand (Holden and Commodore), but If I'd known what I know now, I would never have bought this model 8 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I grew up in a "Holden" family. Dad had a 5.0 HQ station wagon and then a 4.2 VB Commodore SLE (which I learn't to drive on and bought from him when I got my P's way back then), and then a 3.0 EFI VK Calais.
I had the previously mentioned VB, which ended up stroked out to 273 ci with a turbo 400 gearbox and shortened 9 inch diff. Then it was onto a VH 4.2 4 speed manual SS. After that was a VK SSV 5.0 which then made way for my most loved car, my VK HDT Brock Calais 5.0 (which I then regrettably sold due to it always trying to be stolen..), after the 3rd theft attempt, enough was enough so I upgraded to a VT 5.7 Clubsport that had an unfortunate incident involving a telegraph pole, and then I needed a car quickly for work and purchased the VE.
Now from what I've uncovered, this model was drastically flawed....
It is known now that the VE model released between Jan 2006 and 18th March 2007 with engine numbers H053340001 - H071380576 was the new model on which the Commodores today are based on, so anyone buying a nice new VE V6 became Holden's test pilots for this car. Holden knew there was an issue with the manufacturing process of the 7.7mm timing chains produced for the above engine numbers, and they also fitted the motor with crank and cam sensors as well as front and rear oxygen sensors. Timing chain stretch became apparent and was rectified only on cars that were returned to Holden voluntarily by customers who had heard about the product recall.
Holden then discovered on these affected models that in some cases, because of the timing chain fault, the rockers could be affected after the chain had "stretched", but did not replace these in the recall under warranty.
The cam sensors and the oxygen sensors also became an issue with premature failure quite common.
Holden then released a diagnosis guide to it's mechanics which stated the step by step procedure for testing and diagnosis. The checks systematically outlined what had to be checked/replaced in a stringent order...All the sensors, the wiring, oil pressure, and the computer were checked first (electrical system first then mechanical) before the timing chains were even considered to be checked. All these checks, and or replacements, would generate a nice little sum of money for them at the customers expense before the customer was slugged even more dollars to have the timing issue rectified, and if the rockers were deemed faulty or replaced as a precaution, the repair bill became very expensive.
We now have a situation with these cars, much like replacing the ink cartridges in your computer printer...it's cheaper to buy a new printer than to buy new cartridges in some cases, and now it's cheaper to buy a replacement engine than to have the existing motor repaired.
It is true, that today we live in a disposable society.
Ok, with today's rant completed, it's back to the repairs...thanks for listening.....
(The old days..when life and cars were simpler...)
