Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Holden Barina 2013 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2013 Holden Barina? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2013 Holden Barina issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2013 Holden Barina in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Is it normal for the thread on my Holden Barina 2013's sump oil pan to start disintegrating?

It won't be the sump itself disintegrating, but my guess is that somebody who has changed the oil in the past has over-tightened the drain plug when they've replaced it. That stretches the threads on what is often a relatively soft metal and, as a result, the threads have broken away from the rest of the oil pan as you've tightened the plug.

This is actually more common than you think and happens because people don't stop to think about how much force they use when they replace the plug. While it's true that you don't want the plug undoing itself while you're driving, it's also the case that all that sump plug has to do is keep the oil inside the engine. It serves no other purpose and simply doesn't need to be too tight. Sometimes, home mechanics ignore the need to replace the crush washer on this plug with the result that they then notice an oil a leak a few days later. That's when they'll reach for the big spanner and try to tighten the sump plug some more to stop the leak. And that's when the threads break away and they're in the position you now find yourself.

The solution is to get the vehicle to a workshop (you may have to tow it as it can't be driven with no oil in the engine) which should be able to drill the hole in the sump to the next over-size and fit a slightly larger, new sump plug. It's tricky though, as you don't want to allow swarf (little metal filings from the drilling process) into the engine where they'll damage those expensive internal parts.

Used Holden Barina review: 2005-2016
Read the article
Used Holden Barina review: 2011-2014
Holden did much to improve the fitness of the Barina but some horror stories persist. New Holden had a lot of ground to make up when it launched the TM Barina in 2011 — the previous model had been widely panned for its poor quality, reliability and safety. About the only positive thing you could say about the TK
Read the article
Tips to get an EOFY bargain
Read the article
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.