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Are you having problems with your 1999 Holden Calais? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 1999 Holden Calais issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 1999 Holden Calais in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.
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I am assuming the engine was a second-hand one and there was no guarantee on it or the work done by the mechanic. If that is the case you are relying on the goodwill of the mechanic to do the 'right' thing and have little other claim. The best thing to do would be to talk to the mechanic about your expectations and try to reach an agreement on the cost to carry out the subsequent repairs. If you can't reach a satisfactory agreement you could try your consumer affairs people, or take the mechanic to your small claims tribunal. If there was a guarantee on the engine or the work make a claim on that.
You don't say by how much it has crept up and whether it's been a gradual increase or a sudden jump, but Holden's claim for town running was 15.0 L/100 km for a 1999 VT V8 and 13.5 L/100 km for a later VX V8. If it's running well and still packs a powerful punch you should look at those items that might affect the tuning of the engine. Replace the spark plugs, the plug leads, the air filter, perhaps clean the throttle body and give it a good run to blow out any carbon build-up.