Holden Vectra Engine Problems

THERE is a problem with the engines in the Vectra and Astra, and Holden issued a dealer alert, changing the service interval from 120,000km to 60,000km. Your car should have been picked up by your Holden dealer when you took it in for service. Another Cars Guide reader had a similar problem and was able to negotiate a settlement with Holden to pay of the repair costs. I suggest you contact the dealer from whom you bought the car. If you have no joy there, contact Holden.

There have been problems with the timing belt breaking on the Astra engine, and the service interval has been cut from 120,000km to 60,000km. And there have been problems with the belt tensioner. Some have lost pressure and failed, and the belts have then broken.

IT IS possible the head gasket is leaking, and it can easily be checked. If it is leaking the engine should be running roughly, and the shaking when you start it cold could be a sign that it is leaking. You can check the oil for signs of coolant as further proof of a leak. Stop topping it up and driving because you risk doing further damage. Get it checked and establish the cause of the problem.

YOUR friends are getting what you would expect, so yours is way off the mark. Persist with the dealer. There is something wrong. If the dealer won't help out, go to Holden directly and ask for help.

MANY cars have chains instead of belts, and carmakers seem to be returning to chains after many years during which they preferred belts. Belts were introduced because they cost less than chains. They are also quieter than a chain, which can be quite noisy as it wears. As to why it isn't mentioned in road test reports, I can only say it is a little too technical for most readers. They are more interested in how a car performs when put to the test. It is the sort of detail the buyer should check before settling on a new car.

YOUR problem seems extreme and is one I haven't heard of as a common problem with the Vectra. Ethanol shouldn't really affect the running of your car, as long as the petrol you use has the octane rating it is supposed to have and the ethanol content is no higher than permitted. Generally, there should be no more than 10 per cent ethanol in petrol, but there have been some reports of more than 20 per cent. The biggest problem with ethanol is that it is very corrosive and attacks rubber components, castings and other bits and pieces in the fuel system.

HOLDEN says the correct change interval is 120,000km or eight years, whichever comes first.