Holden Problems

No, you should keep going back to the Holden dealer and demand that they fix it. Your previous visits and any checks and repairs would be on record, so they are not starting from scratch, as another repairer would have to do. If you don't think you are getting good service, and I don't you are, escalate your complaint to Holden's customer service department.

We haven't had any other complaints of this vibration, and we'd ask anyone else who has to contact us. The first things you look at when you have a vibration like this are wheel and tyre balance and driveshaft balance. Have the dealer check these things, so you know where you are in terms of the basics before initiating any other checks.

It's hard to suggest what might be wrong without seeing the car, so I suggest the best thing is to have an LPG specialist look at it. Give the people at Impco a call on 03 8788 1000 and ask them to check the car for you.

I'm not aware that Holden has said there is a fault with the engine that causes the high oil consumption; the reaction from dealers is usually the one you got, i.e., to monitor it. Ask the dealer to monitor it themselves and if their results show high oil consumption it's much easier for you to request remedial action. I don't believe there is any difference with the VF.

While oils are better now than they once were, so to are the demands placed on them. Regular oil changes are wise to keep your car ticking over at it should, don't hesitate to do the servicing.

The 5w-30 is often used and is ok as an alternative to the factory recommended oil.

Holden has an obligation to fix your car if it has a problem, and while you might disagree it would seem that they have attempted to fix it. They fitted a short motor, then offered to fit another one, and they have done an oil consumption test to determine if it does have an oil consumption issue. Most Holden V6s do have an issue with oil consumption, so I wouldn't be surprised if yours does as well, but it comes down to how much oil it uses as to whether it has a problem. If you doubt the results of the oil consumption tests, do your own.

Wheel alignment is clearly not covered by the warranty, so you won't get Holden to show any interest in your claim for new tyres. Remember that it was the dealer who did the servicing work on your car, not Holden itself, so if you think the dealer was negligent in not discovering that the wheel alignment was not correct you should pursue your case for tyres with them.

It would appear that the vibration is coming from the driveline, and the clutch being part of the driveline could well be source of the problem. It's worth getting it checked.

At that speed it's likely to be either tyre or driveline imbalance, but you need an experienced mechanic to test drive the car with you. Talk to your dealer and ask for a mechanic to come with you while you demonstrate the problem.