Holden Colorado Problems

The recommended service interval for this vehicle is every 10,000km. Roughly speaking, every second service is a bit more involved, so that suggests it’s more of a `major’ service. Either way, skipped services on a vehicle like this will be false economy in the longer term.

On the timing belt front, there’s good news and bad. The good news is that both the turbo-diesel and petrol V6 versions of the Colorado both use timing chains, so there’s no need to change a timing belt. The bad news is that the petrol version uses the Alloytech V6 which is renowned for its ability to stretch its own timing chain to the point where it needs costly replacement. This is a known fault with this engine.

Since both variants of Colorado here use essentially the same engine, I’m not sure what sensors would be different and require changing. That said, the MY17 Colorado got recalibrated hill-descent and hill-start functions, so maybe there are some differences there.

The major mechanical difference that I can see between a 2014 and a 2017 Colorado is probably the power-steering. In late 2016, the vehicle switched to an electrically-assisted system in place of the previous hydraulic set-up. So the later engine would probably lack the pulleys and mounting hardware for the hydraulic power-steering pump that your vehicle requires. Perhaps they can be removed from the old engine and fitted to the later one.

Perhaps an easier solution would be to return the engine originally supplied and ask for the correct version for your car. If the engine supplied originally was not fit for purpose, then you’ve every right to ask for a replacement unit that is.

I doubt that it is a low oil pressure problem; it’s more likely to be an electronic issue with the car’s computer or a sensor associated with the ECM.

Was the lift kit an approved Holden fitment? I don’t think it was, I think it was done at dealer level, and that’s where you should be venting your frustration. By fitting the lift kit you have modified the car and voided the warranty in that area of the car. Remember, the dealer is an independent business, it is not part of Holden. Go back to the dealer and get him to sort the problem, and if needed call in the manufacturer of the lift kit.

It’s not likely to be a burned valve, as the engine would be running roughly if it were. It could be the tappets. Next time you start the engine lift the bonnet and take a moment or two to listen to the engine to see if you can get an idea of where the noise is coming from.

If the mechanic/repairer is a qualified and registered company they should have some guarantee on the quality of their work. Take the car back and show them what your are unhappy about and ask for the work to be done again, or compensation. If they are not qualified or registered with a trade organisation you have little comeback.

Yes, it is a common rail diesel engine.

Make sure the camera lens is clean and there’s nothing obstructing its field of view. If all is well there have a dealer check it.

Water shouldn’t get into the diff by merely driving in the rain; the seals should be good enough to keep water from getting into the diff even when driving through creeks and water crossings. Something more than a dud seal is at play here. Have the dealer make a more thorough check of the diff, and don’t pay for a replacement until the cause of the leakage is established.