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Holden LY7 engine: known problems

Used in 4 guides · 3564cc petrol · 13 known problems

Displacement

3564cc

Layout

V6 NA

Fuel

petrol

Timing

Chain-driven, known weak point — see problems

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

Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure

The headline LY7 issue. Timing chain stretches and chain guide/tensioner wears, eventually causing chain skip or rattle on cold start. Catastrophic if left to fail - bent valves. Affects high-km neglected examples most.

Fix: Full timing chain kit (chain, guides, tensioner, sprockets). Use quality oil and don't extend service intervals. Listen carefully for rattle on cold start on pre-purchase inspection.

From 150-220k km · ~$2500-4500

Listed for: Holden Commodore VE / VE II · Holden Commodore VY / VZ · Holden Ute VE / VF

High

Timing-chain stretch (early VZ)

Some early Alloytec timing chains were not made to spec and elongate, sometimes very early in life. Symptoms: chain rattle on start-up, timing-related fault codes, rough running. Holden introduced a revised 7.7mm inverted-tooth chain in January 2006.

Fix: Replace stretched chains, guides and tensioners with updated parts; verify the engine has had the later chain or has documented replacement.

Can be early (10k-150k km on bad chains) · ~$1500-3500

Listed for: Holden Ute VU / VY / VZ

Medium

Coolant elbow / thermostat housing leak

Plastic coolant elbows on top of engine become brittle and crack causing slow coolant loss.

Fix: Aluminium aftermarket elbow upgrade is a permanent fix. Easy DIY.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-500

Listed for: Holden Commodore VE / VE II · Holden Commodore VY / VZ

Medium

Cam phaser noise

VVT cam phasers rattle on cold start due to oil pressure build-up time. Sometimes a precursor to timing chain issues.

Fix: Phaser replacement. Sometimes only needed if rattle persists after oil warms.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3000

Listed for: Holden Commodore VE / VE II · Holden Commodore VY / VZ

Medium

Fuel pump assembly failure

In-tank fuel pump assembly fails over time - causes hard starts, intermittent stalling.

Fix: Pump assembly replacement. Drop tank or fuel pump access hatch.

From 150k+ km · ~$500-900

Listed for: Holden Commodore VE / VE II

Medium

LPG injector failure

Dedicated LPG injectors can fail, causing rough running on gas. Switches back to petrol if dual-fuel.

Fix: Injector replacement. LPG specialist work.

From 100k+ km · ~$800-1500

Listed for: Holden Commodore VE / VE II

Medium

Vapouriser / regulator failure

LPG pressure regulator wears causing hesitation under load.

Fix: Vapouriser rebuild or replacement.

From 120k+ km · ~$600-1200

Listed for: Holden Commodore VE / VE II

Medium

LPG infrastructure availability

LPG service stations have shrunk significantly in NSW. Plan refuelling on long trips.

Fix: Check station availability for your route. Dual-fuel variants can fall back to petrol.

Listed for: Holden Commodore VE / VE II

Medium

4L60E transmission shudder

4-speed auto torque converter shudder under light throttle.

Fix: Fluid + filter first. Rebuild if persistent.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3000

Listed for: Holden Commodore VY / VZ

Medium

Excessive oil consumption / sludge from neglect

Skipped or extended oil changes cause sludge, accelerated chain/guide wear and oil consumption on the HFV6.

Fix: Strict oil-change regime with the correct grade; check oil level regularly; verify service records before purchase.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1500

Listed for: Holden Ute VE / VF

Medium

Oil consumption / PCV sludging

An undersized factory crankcase-ventilation (PCV) system and poor servicing lead to oil consumption (some examples reported around 1L per 1000km) and sludge build-up.

Fix: Use correct spec oil and shorter intervals; clean/upgrade PCV; check oil level frequently. Avoid examples with poor service history.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-2000

Listed for: Holden Ute VU / VY / VZ

Low

Power steering / cooling ancillaries

Age-related power steering pump/hose weeps, radiator and water-pump wear typical of the platform.

Fix: Replace as they fail; refresh cooling system on high-km cars.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-800

Listed for: Holden Ute VE / VF

Low

Rear-of-block / coolant weeps

Alloytec engines can develop coolant weeps (including from the rear of the block area) and perished hose/gasket leaks with age.