Holden Astra Engine Problems

The maintenance-free battery won't last any longer than any other battery, all it means is that you don't have to check the electrolyte level and top it up if its down. I wouldn't replace it until it's needed; if you are concerned have a mechanic test it to find out its condition.

It’s hard to say in absolute terms how accurate it is, but it is the most accurate indicator we have, given that the information comes directly from the injection system itself, and actually measures the fuel going into the engine. The claimed fuel consumption for the V6 VY Berlina was 6.6 on the highway and 11.00 around town, with an average of 8.2 L/100 km, which makes me think your car is about right.

The first thing you must do is to find the cause of the leak. Depending on what that cause proves to be you might then be in a position to approach Holden for help. Until you do that there's nothing Holden can do for you.

Whatever you do, don't drive it, don't even start it. It's likely that you have done serious internal damage already and driving it, starting it even, would only damage it further. Have it towed to a mechanic and have the engine checked. I fear the damage extends well beyond the water pump.

The majority of carmakers use a timing belt. Why? It’s cheap. You could also argue that it’s quieter than a chain, which it is, but the main reason they use it is that it’s cheap. Nissan is one that tends to use a timing chain, so too does BMW, but you have to check each engine type to be sure because some carmakers use belts on some engines and chains on others.

Holden tells us that the service interval for your engine is 10 years or 150,000 km, whichever comes up first. With 142,000 km up you are approaching the service point. Change the belt, and the water pump for safety, and that should be it.

Take it to a reputable mechanic and have them thoroughly check it, in particular they should check the crank angle sensor.

It's odd that there's such a disparity between steady-state highway driving and round town use. If the performance has dropped off I would be checking things like the exhaust backpressure, which might show up a blocked or partially blocked catalytic converter; if the performance hasn't altered look at the oxygen sensors.

Have the timing belt changed, it is well beyond the time it should have been changed even though it has only done 55,000 km. Have a mechanic check the oil pressure at idle, it could be that the oil and oil filter require changing.

Almost certainly they were “recommended” by the dealer and not Holden, and furthermore they are what is known in the trade as “upselling”. They are not necessary.