Out with The Old and in with The New?

• 

  craigoss on 15/10/2019 - 19:53

  +3

  In your situation I'd try a cheap fix and run it into the ground, 2k in repairs for VY seems like fair bit to me.
  I was in a similar position with a VT wagon that started to show signs of a head gasket issue and a fluid leak from the rear main seal. Rather than fixing it properly every once in a while I'll put in a bottle of Rislone copper block seal and it's still going strong. If every I spot an oil leak I'm going to put in a bottle of ATP AT-205 to see if it works.

• 

  Bid Sniper on 15/10/2019 - 20:02

  +1

  Fix, any used car you're going to spend that, eg tyres, brakes, servicing, rego etc…

  Whats the issue with it? can DIY, $2k isnt huge

• 

  JoshPR on 15/10/2019 - 20:11

  Thanks craigoss

  Good point bid sniper
  It needs
  * New power steering pump
  * Air box inlet stuff as plastic clips and everything broke to pieces
  * Fuel pump as the fuel pump sender unit has died
  * Lpg needs a service and fix as it shakes
  * Full service
  * New tyres

  Potentially a few other things as it doesnt start sometimes and the key doesnt work from far distances some times

  • 

    mskeggs on 15/10/2019 - 20:26

    I don't think you can really class most of those as repairs, as much as maintenance. Any car will need periodic servicing and tyres.
    I'd also suggest considering looking on youtube to see if you can do any of these tasks yourself. I can't imagine the air filter would be hard, and I have replaced fuel senders, and I am no mechanic.
    All of a sudden, you only have a few hundred in fixes plus routine maintenance.

    Consider too, that a replacement vehicle with LPG would be more costly than the same model in petrol, and you wouldn't know its history.

  • 

    AdosHouse on 15/10/2019 - 20:32

    +1

    • New power steering pump Easy to do, I did it on my VY, just get yourself a workshop manual from SuperCheap Auto
    • Air box inlet stuff as plastic clips and everything broke to pieces source one from ebay, cheap as, and is only held in by some clips and a few screws, 10 minute job
    • Fuel pump as the fuel pump sender unit has died bit harder, but not very, just don't try to drop the tank unless it is nearly full, unless you want to be smacked in the head
    • Lpg needs a service and fix as it shakes can't help sorry
    • Full service oil, filters and plugs is super easy on the COmmodores
    • New tyres tyre shop
• 

  nubzy on 15/10/2019 - 20:41

  Buy parts during sales/from wreckers and DIY repair as much as you can. Even if you got a used car, they all need something done to them anyway. Cars get expensive when you take to mechanic and they tell you it needs this and that, but I would refuse their offers to fix and do my own research/purchasing and end up savings hundreds if not thousands.

• 

  JoshPR on 15/10/2019 - 21:04

  I see where your coming from mskeggs and Adoshouse BUT

  I am lacking in tools and time.

  I have the service manual which I sourced online free and have performed maintenance myself.

  The issue with the car not starting can be bypassed if I push on the accelerator when the car is turning over.

  Which I heard can be caused by air to fuel ratio issues (air box)

  But not sure

  Seems the general consensus is to keep the car.

  • 

    AdosHouse on 16/10/2019 - 15:21

    +1

    Air to fuel ratio is controlled my the MAF, which is that big sensor between the air box and the throttle body.

    But normally if the car isn't starting or idling without a bit of throttle, I find it is a vacuum leak in the intake manifold. Most common thing with those Ecotec motors is that they blow the Purge solenoid pipe off the bottom of the throttle body, extremely common. It is the hose on the bottom as seen here, https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/attachments/vac-hose-jp… , they come off if you sneeze even slightly at the car. See if it is attached, also highly recommended to put a hose clamp on it.

    • 

      JoshPR on 16/10/2019 - 23:09

      Will check tomorrow morning mate thanks for your input

      • 

        AdosHouse on 16/10/2019 - 23:53

        If it isn't that pipe, get a mate to hold the accelerator a bit so that the engine runs, pop the bonnet and stick your head near the back of the engine and listen for a wind sucking sound, would indicate a vacuum leak.

• 

  JoshPR on 15/10/2019 - 21:32

  -1

  ALSO THE CAR HAS 240,000KM ON IT.

  • 

    dcep on 15/10/2019 - 22:56

    +2

    drive till it quits then scrap it

    • New power steering pump - USE YOUR MUSCLE
    • Air box inlet stuff as plastic clips and everything broke to pieces - DUCT TAPE
    • Fuel pump as the fuel pump sender unit has died - IT'S NOT DEAD YET ; DON'T CARE
    • Lpg needs a service and fix as it shakes - DON'T CARE
    • Full service - KMART $170
    • New tyres - $60 FITTED EACH NANKANG LINGLOONG DAYTON

    • 

      Zuba on 15/10/2019 - 23:59

      Nice work … this nailed it

• 

  HardlyCharly on 16/10/2019 - 01:23

  -1

  You drive a commodore, you don't need a flashy car, just a good one. Which you can easily do for 4k compared to what you have now.

• 

  Euphemistic on 16/10/2019 - 05:35

  +1

  do you need the size of the commodore?if not, but s smaller car for around $4k. You’ll have some reserves if it Needs any repairs, fuel should cost similar (going from thirsty lpg to thrifty petrol).

  Don’t overspend if you are saving for a house, that is more important.