Engines ›
Holden L36 engine: known problems
Used in 4 guides · 3791cc petrol · 13 known problems
Displacement
3791cc
Layout
V6 NA
Fuel
petrol
Known problems13
Everything our guides list for the variants with this engine: the engine itself plus the gearbox and ancillaries it's paired with. Each shows which cars it's listed for.
High
Intake manifold gasket failure
Plastic-and-rubber intake manifold gaskets fail causing coolant leak into engine oil, eventually destroying bearings. Engine oil turns to chocolate milkshake.
Fix: Updated metal-reinforced gasket replacement. Critical — don't drive if coolant in oil. Pre-purchase: check oil cap and dipstick for milky residue.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VY / VZ · Holden Ute VU / VY / VZ
High
Coolant / Dex-Cool system corrosion
The Ecotec V6 requires the correct long-life (Dex-Cool style) coolant at the right concentration. Using premix or letting it degrade causes acidic corrosion that eats the heater core, radiator and water pump, and can leave sludge through the system - a defining VT/VX V6 issue.
Fix: Flush and refill with correct coolant on schedule; replace heater core/water pump/radiator as needed. Check coolant condition and heater operation pre-purchase.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VT / VX
High
Plastic inlet manifold / valley gasket failure
The Ecotec's factory plastic lower-intake/valley gaskets crack and break down with heat and age, allowing coolant and oil to mix or coolant loss with no obvious external leak. Left unchecked it can destroy the engine. This is the defining VS V6 issue.
Fix: Replace with upgraded metal-framed valley/inlet gaskets (Mace etc.); do it proactively as preventive maintenance.
Listed for: Holden Ute VG / VP / VR / VS
Medium
Cracked exhaust manifolds
The cast exhaust manifolds crack with heat cycling, giving a tell-tale 'chuffing' tick on start-up and sometimes an exhaust smell - extremely common across the V6 range.
Fix: Replace manifold(s); aftermarket extractors are a common upgrade.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VT / VX
Medium
Crank angle sensor failure (no-start)
The crank angle sensor can fail intermittently, causing hot no-starts or stalling - a classic Ecotec gremlin. Fuel pumps also fail.
Fix: Replace the crank angle sensor (cheap, often done preventively); replace fuel pump if weak.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VT / VX
Medium
Oil leaks and lifter rattle
Rear main seal, front cover and rocker cover oil leaks are common, as is hydraulic lifter rattle on start-up with old/dirty oil.
Fix: Reseal as required; fresh oil and lifter clean; replace collapsed lifters.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VT / VX
Medium
Supercharger snout bearing (L67 only)
Eaton M90 supercharger snout bearing develops noise. Eventually fails causing belt loss.
Fix: Snout bearing rebuild — common service item. Many specialists in Aus.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VY / VZ
Medium
Coolant elbow / heater core hoses
Plastic coolant elbows at the back of engine become brittle and crack causing slow coolant loss.
Fix: Aluminium replacement elbows. Easy DIY job.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VY / VZ
Medium
4L60E transmission shudder
4-speed auto develops shudder under light throttle (torque converter lockup clutch wear).
Fix: Trans fluid + filter service first. Rebuild with upgraded lockup if persistent. Common GM auto pattern.
Listed for: Holden Commodore VY / VZ
Medium
Automatic transmission overheating (4L60-E)
VS II autos can overheat and damage the transmission around 100,000km; Holden released a retrofit oil-cooler kit to address it.
Fix: Fit/verify a transmission oil cooler, change ATF on schedule, rebuild if slipping.
Listed for: Holden Ute VG / VP / VR / VS
Medium
Coolant loss / cracked plastic intake fittings
Plastic intake fittings, thermostat housing and the inlet area crack with age causing coolant loss and overheating risk.
Fix: Replace cracked plastic components, refresh cooling system, upgrade to metal where available.
Listed for: Holden Ute VG / VP / VR / VS
Medium
Coolant elbows / plastic fittings cracking
Plastic coolant elbows and fittings on the Ecotec become brittle and crack with age, causing coolant leaks and overheating.
Fix: Replace brittle plastic elbows with metal aftermarket items; refresh hoses at the same time.
Listed for: Holden Ute VU / VY / VZ
Low
Worn engine and gearbox mounts / oil leaks
At age and mileage these engines weep from rocker covers and develop tired mounts causing vibration.
Fix: Reseal rocker covers; replace engine/trans mounts. Straightforward DIY.
Listed for: Holden Ute VU / VY / VZ
Cars with the L364
From the FlamingCars guides for these cars. Specs are shown only where the guides agree and the value is verified.