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Overheating VT Commodore - V6


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#51 _Gunmetal LH_

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Posted 30 July 2010 - 05:20 AM

Did you flush out the heater core? The coolant capacity is around 11 litres total.

Find the heater hoses, unscrew one and jamb the garden hose in there- not flat out though... Then jamb the hose into where you took the hose off and back flush it.

Go one way, then the other SEVERAL times, or until brown sludge stops coming out and the water looks nice and clear.

If you take a hose off the heater tap I'd put money on it that you'll break it- they get brittle. Get a replacement tap FIRST and if you don't need it, take it back later or save it. Should be around $25-$30

When filling up the coolant system, have the heater ON and the engine running.



Even after you've bled the system properly you may still hear gurgling through the heater core when you floor it for a couple of days. Re-bleed the system in a week and you should be sweet.

#52 Statler

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Posted 30 July 2010 - 10:51 AM

When filling up the coolant system, have the heater ON and the engine running.


That was going to be my next question. lol

#53 _Skapinad_

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Posted 30 July 2010 - 12:06 PM

come on just torch it already... post up some video !

#54 MRLXSS

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 12:17 PM

It was the head gasket again...

Maddy's dad did a compression test and found two cylinders were way down and both the spark plugs were covered in gunk and shit! So he's ripped the head off and is replacing it all... Lets hope that it was the leaking heater core that made it overheat and kill the gasket (again) and not another problem that is going to continue to haunt us!

Thanks to everyone for all their help and advice as well!!!! Was very very very helpful in understanding what and how things could have went wrong!!!

#55 orangeLJ

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 12:48 PM

Did you put the headgaskets on the right way :P

#56 _Woodsy_

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 01:00 PM

Were the heads machined before u put them on?

#57 MRLXSS

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 01:06 PM

Weren't machined, but were clean and checked against a straight edge for warpage and were perfect.

#58 _Woodsy_

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 01:19 PM

yeah i'd get them machined, saves headaches later

Edited by Woodsy, 02 August 2010 - 01:19 PM.


#59 TerrA LX

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 01:59 PM

yeah i'd get them machined, saves headgaskets later


You do know it is not just straightness, (in several planes) but also condition of finish that counts, also was the block checked with the straight edge?

#60 MRLXSS

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 02:01 PM

My engine builder checked the heads and gave me the ok that they were fine to drop on... He crack tested them and leak tested them as well.

#61 _Gunmetal LH_

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 06:03 PM

At Holden's (service) we never machined the old V6 heads unless it was known the engine had cooked itself, or it was visibly warped.

Using a straight edge we'd look at the surface every 5mm or so to be 100% sure it was flat. Going both diagonals at a tangent from one corner to the other, lengthways, and sideways. Literally 100's of checks across the face.

We'd check both the heads, and the block.




Did you use a Holden head gasket?

Edited by Gunmetal LH, 02 August 2010 - 06:04 PM.


#62 MRLXSS

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 06:14 PM

We used an ACL gasket kit...

Holden wanted over $300 at that was trade price!

#63 TerrA LX

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 06:58 PM

I doubt it makes much difference which gaskets they are but this time re torque them.

#64 _Gunmetal LH_

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 07:03 PM

Damn that IS steep! I got my VN head gasket for $75 from Holden's. (Only the one.) Was under $160 with all the inlet gaskets etc.

#65 _Quagmire_

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 07:22 PM

reverse flush the block/radatior and fit a new water pump just to be safe

#66 _rorym_

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 07:43 PM

Ummm...Did you check the gauge?..I didnt read all of the thread.
R

#67 TerrA LX

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Posted 02 August 2010 - 08:10 PM

Ummm...Did you check the gauge?..I didnt read all of the thread.
R


Yep, he checked the compression gauge, two cylinders down and the plugs looked yucky.

#68 _Woodsy_

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Posted 13 August 2010 - 07:36 PM

So... what was it?

#69 MRLXSS

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Posted 13 August 2010 - 08:04 PM

It was the head gasket again...


Maddy's old man changed them this time... So Far, so good! Done about 250ks since without an issue!




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