Holden Problems

The Holden V6 clearly has a problem with the timing chain, and like you I don't think it should have to be replaced, certainly not at such a low kay reading. I believe you should at least have a claim against Holden to cover part of the cost of replacing the chain. Go back to your dealer, and if necessary Holden as well, and press your claim.

No. It ran perfectly for five or six years before giving trouble, so I don't think you can blame Holden. Has the coolant been changed in the time since it left the factory, has it been overheated at any time, they're questions I would want answered before trying to find someone to blame.

I agree. While the advertised fuel consumption figure is the result of a lab test and is intended only for comparison purposes I think it's reasonable to expect that the real life figure should be close to that figure. Given the size and weight of the Captiva a number of 9 L/100 km seems quite low, lower than I would expect. Don't expect it to improve much as the car is "run-in", that's something dealers say to out you off.

That it starts fine when it's cold and enriched, but not when it's warmed up and not getting any extra fuel suggests it could be a fuelling issue. Have a mechanic check the fuel pressure; it might not be getting enough fuel on hot restarts.

That's the problem when trying to locate the cause of leaks etc. They're not usually the obvious things you think of, like a poorly fitting or damaged seal etc. but you have to check those things first before you dig deeper and spend a lot of money in the process.

We haven't had any other reports of this issue, but we have seen reports of the radiator failing. The plastic fitting in the radiator breaks away and you need a new radiator. The problem seems to occur when the car has done around 70,000 to 80,000km. I would be pressing the dealer and Holden for a replacement radiator.

Without driving your car it's hard to make a comment, but I would suggest you find other cars of the same specification and drive them. That way you'll know if it is "normal". You could also take it to a transmission specialist for an independent assessment.

I can understand your frustration, but it's a fact of life that cars do break down, and once the warranty has expired it costs money to fix them. It sounds like you have an extended warranty, so that should cover you for the cost of repairs. If you want to persist in chasing Holden you might be able to get part payment for the cost of repairs as a goodwill gesture.