Holden

Commodore VE / VE II inspection checklist

2006-2013 · 15 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

mediumPower steering rack leak

Look for: Power steering rack seals fail causing fluid leak and steering whine.

If you find it: Rack reseal or replacement (reconditioned units available).

From 150k+ km · ~$800-1500

2 of 5 engines

highAFM lifter collapse

Look for: Active Fuel Management (4-cylinder mode) lifters can collapse over time causing severe valvetrain noise, misfires, and potential cam damage. Affects high-km neglected examples most.

If you find it: AFM delete (lifter swap, valley plate, tune) is the popular fix - removes the system entirely and improves reliability.

From 150-250k km · ~$3000-6000

mediumOil consumption (AFM-related)

Look for: AFM system can allow oil into combustion chambers - oil consumption can rise to 1L per 1000-3000km.

If you find it: Catch can helps. AFM delete eliminates the issue entirely.

From 100k+ km · ~$0-200/oil

3.6L LY7 'Alloytec' V6 (port-injected)

highTiming chain stretch and tensioner failure

Look for: 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.

If you find it: 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

mediumCoolant elbow / thermostat housing leak

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

If you find it: Aluminium aftermarket elbow upgrade is a permanent fix. Easy DIY.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-500

mediumCam phaser noise

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

If you find it: Phaser replacement. Sometimes only needed if rattle persists after oil warms.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3000

mediumFuel pump assembly failure

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

If you find it: Pump assembly replacement. Drop tank or fuel pump access hatch.

From 150k+ km · ~$500-900

3.6L LFX 'SIDI' V6 (direct injection)

highHigh-pressure fuel pump failure

Look for: HPFP wears causing rough running, hard starts, possible misfires.

If you find it: Pump replacement. Use clean fuel and consider an inline fuel filter.

From 120k+ km · ~$800-1500

mediumIntake valve carbon buildup

Look for: Direct injection bypasses intake valves - carbon hardens on them over time. Causes rough idle, misfires, power loss.

If you find it: Walnut blast service. Catch can fitment slows it down significantly.

From 100k+ km · ~$800-1500

mediumTiming chain (less common than LY7)

Look for: LFX has revised chain design but still requires good oil maintenance. Less common than LY7 chain issues.

If you find it: Use quality oil at proper service intervals.

From 180k+ km · ~$2500-4500

6.0L L98 V8 (Gen IV) — SS

mediumDifferential whine (3.45 ratio)

Look for: Live axle rear diffs can develop whine due to bearing wear or ring/pinion wear.

If you find it: Rebuild rear diff. Some convert to upgraded 9-inch or LSD setup at same time.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3000

6.0L L77 V8 (E85 capable) — SS-V Redline

mediumE85 fuel system contamination (if rarely run)

Look for: If E85 capability is unused for years, water absorption in tank can corrode fuel system.

If you find it: Drain tank, replace fuel filter, run fresh fuel.

Any · ~$500-1500

3.6L LY7/LFX with LPG (LPG-i / Dedicated)

mediumLPG injector failure

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

If you find it: Injector replacement. LPG specialist work.

From 100k+ km · ~$800-1500

mediumVapouriser / regulator failure

Look for: LPG pressure regulator wears causing hesitation under load.

If you find it: Vapouriser rebuild or replacement.

From 120k+ km · ~$600-1200

mediumLPG infrastructure availability

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

If you find it: Check station availability for your route. Dual-fuel variants can fall back to petrol.

6 minor things (low severity)

lowDoor handle (interior) failure

Look for: Plastic interior door handle mechanism fails - door won't open from inside.

If you find it: Replacement handle. Cheap part, DIY swap with door card removal.

From 100k+ km · ~$30-80 each

lowHand brake cable seizure

Look for: Rear hand brake cables seize, especially on examples used in damp conditions.

If you find it: Cable replacement. Apply waterproof grease to fittings during routine service.

From 100k+ km · ~$200-400

lowRear differential bushes

Look for: IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) cradle and diff bushes wear causing rear-end clunk.

If you find it: Bush kit replacement (Whiteline, Pedders, Superpro).

From 150k+ km · ~$300-600

lowClimate control LCD pixel failure

Look for: Climate control LCD develops dead pixels over time.

If you find it: Aftermarket ribbon cable replacement kit, or refurbished unit.

Any · ~$50-200

lowBoot strut failure

Look for: Boot gas struts fail - boot lid won't stay up.

If you find it: Replacement struts. Easy DIY.

From 100k+ km · ~$60-100

lowRear main seal weep

Look for: Rear main seal can weep oil over time.

If you find it: Reseal during clutch/torque converter service to save labour.

From 150k+ km · ~$400-800

From FlamingCars' Holden Commodore guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.