V8 Family Wagon Aussie Style - VF2 Calais V
Discussion
Well, after three-and-a-half years of relatively painless ownership, it’s happened…
Three hours into the first of two Gold Coast trips this month, for PBJnr2 to take part in Australian swimming champs.
Cruising at a steady 110kmh and the transmission starts to slip when going up hill. About 10km later I’ve got no drive, pull over, let it rest. It then gives me second gear and goes into limp mode.
We drive along the hard should at 40kmh about 5km to the nearest town (Bulahdelah, for those that know) to get ourselves off the freeway. Breakdown can’t diagnose exact problem but we all agree it needs to be carried home.
So, onto a truck. Me and Jnr2 get dropped at Hertz Newcastle to collect a hire car whilst the Calais continues its restful journey to my preferred mechanic in Sydney.
Diagnosis is that the torque converter is shagged, which would explain the symptoms, but also that the ATF is not the red it should be - it was changed when I bought it, about 50,000km ago and should be good for a bit longer - so something else not right.
Transmission specialist is now rebuilding the box with uprated components and it should be ready next week.
Which means I won’t have it in time for the second trip.
Cost is expected to be around $7k. For comparison and exchange box was going to be c$6k plus fitting and a brand new box was around $14k.
Yes, it’s a pain, and yes big cars sometimes come with big bills, but I’m still just about quids in with zero depreciation, and I can’t think of another car that would suit us so well at the time, so I’m feeling kinda philosophical about it at the mo.
Anyway, instead of putting 4000km on that, I’ve added 2000km to a random Mazda CX30 and will be taking my 968 for a cruise next week
Three hours into the first of two Gold Coast trips this month, for PBJnr2 to take part in Australian swimming champs.
Cruising at a steady 110kmh and the transmission starts to slip when going up hill. About 10km later I’ve got no drive, pull over, let it rest. It then gives me second gear and goes into limp mode.
We drive along the hard should at 40kmh about 5km to the nearest town (Bulahdelah, for those that know) to get ourselves off the freeway. Breakdown can’t diagnose exact problem but we all agree it needs to be carried home.
So, onto a truck. Me and Jnr2 get dropped at Hertz Newcastle to collect a hire car whilst the Calais continues its restful journey to my preferred mechanic in Sydney.
Diagnosis is that the torque converter is shagged, which would explain the symptoms, but also that the ATF is not the red it should be - it was changed when I bought it, about 50,000km ago and should be good for a bit longer - so something else not right.
Transmission specialist is now rebuilding the box with uprated components and it should be ready next week.
Which means I won’t have it in time for the second trip.
Cost is expected to be around $7k. For comparison and exchange box was going to be c$6k plus fitting and a brand new box was around $14k.
Yes, it’s a pain, and yes big cars sometimes come with big bills, but I’m still just about quids in with zero depreciation, and I can’t think of another car that would suit us so well at the time, so I’m feeling kinda philosophical about it at the mo.
Anyway, instead of putting 4000km on that, I’ve added 2000km to a random Mazda CX30 and will be taking my 968 for a cruise next week
And I should give a shout out to NRMA roadside assistance.
The package that I have for breakdown covered the cost of the carry back to Sydney (about 240km), and the cost of the hire car. Plus they arranged the hire car so it was ready for me when I got there, and also for me to take the car back to Sydney rather than drop it at Newcastle. Well worth it just to not have the hassle as they sorted it all out.
All up, it added about 5 hours to our journey which is also not bad considering where we were.
The package that I have for breakdown covered the cost of the carry back to Sydney (about 240km), and the cost of the hire car. Plus they arranged the hire car so it was ready for me when I got there, and also for me to take the car back to Sydney rather than drop it at Newcastle. Well worth it just to not have the hassle as they sorted it all out.
All up, it added about 5 hours to our journey which is also not bad considering where we were.
It’s been an interesting few weeks with the silver bus…
The gearbox rebuild took a couple of weeks and came to a smidge under $7k. All working well again now, and have already put 3000km on it since.
But the timing was quite crap. The Mazda CX30 hire car was adequate but really nothing more - I did take a pic, but only the one…
The second trip to Gold Coast was only a week later and as the Holden wasn’t ready, we took the spare car…
Was a far better motorway cruiser than I thought, even without cruise control. Always a bit nervy taking a 31yo car on a 2000km round trip but was event-free.
Just prior to the first Gold Coast trip, the front shocks on the Holden had also been replaced - were v rattly. New ones had a leak so whilst gearbox was being sorted, replacement shocks were installed and ride is now back to how it should be.
The gearbox rebuild took a couple of weeks and came to a smidge under $7k. All working well again now, and have already put 3000km on it since.
But the timing was quite crap. The Mazda CX30 hire car was adequate but really nothing more - I did take a pic, but only the one…
The second trip to Gold Coast was only a week later and as the Holden wasn’t ready, we took the spare car…
Was a far better motorway cruiser than I thought, even without cruise control. Always a bit nervy taking a 31yo car on a 2000km round trip but was event-free.
Just prior to the first Gold Coast trip, the front shocks on the Holden had also been replaced - were v rattly. New ones had a leak so whilst gearbox was being sorted, replacement shocks were installed and ride is now back to how it should be.
Next up, about a week after it had been returned…
NS dipped beam went - was due as the OS went about a year ago - already had a bulb. Same process as before - jack up the body…
Remove fixings for inner wing, and fold back to get hand into back of headlight unit. However on the NS there is a bit of visibility from the top so possible to kinda sort of see where your going. That’s my hand reattaching the rear of the unit…
Only took about 45 mins this time from go to woah but really should be easier, full stop.
Anyway, result…
NS dipped beam went - was due as the OS went about a year ago - already had a bulb. Same process as before - jack up the body…
Remove fixings for inner wing, and fold back to get hand into back of headlight unit. However on the NS there is a bit of visibility from the top so possible to kinda sort of see where your going. That’s my hand reattaching the rear of the unit…
Only took about 45 mins this time from go to woah but really should be easier, full stop.
Anyway, result…
I just saw the post about the trans. Obviously not great but the beauty of these is that there is huge aftermarket support and bits are cheap. I dread to think what you’d pay for a rebuild on a BMW or Merc trans.
As for the headlights, removing the LEDs from the high beam on mine was a massive pain in the arse - I’m not looking forwards to having to do the lows.
As for the headlights, removing the LEDs from the high beam on mine was a massive pain in the arse - I’m not looking forwards to having to do the lows.
Jader1973 said:
I just saw the post about the trans. Obviously not great but the beauty of these is that there is huge aftermarket support and bits are cheap. I dread to think what you’d pay for a rebuild on a BMW or Merc trans.
My mate Will is about to buy a ZF fully refurbished transmission for his BMW 760LiObviously not a dealer price for a new one but If I’m remembering correctly it will be 7k GBP
We can fit it in a weekend (so no labour costs) as the one that is failing has been out before for a torque converter swap (which fixed it for two years but was always going to be a short term fix)
B'stard Child said:
Jader1973 said:
I just saw the post about the trans. Obviously not great but the beauty of these is that there is huge aftermarket support and bits are cheap. I dread to think what you’d pay for a rebuild on a BMW or Merc trans.
My mate Will is about to buy a ZF fully refurbished transmission for his BMW 760LiObviously not a dealer price for a new one but If I’m remembering correctly it will be 7k GBP
We can fit it in a weekend (so no labour costs) as the one that is failing has been out before for a torque converter swap (which fixed it for two years but was always going to be a short term fix)
The $7k, say £3.7K, I paid was for the whole job - labour, delivery to specialist, parts, rebuild, refit and collection from specialist. And cos I was away at the time, the car got delivered home too
And I still reckon I’m quids in with depreciation, though this wasn’t factored into my Man Maths when I bought it…
PomBstard said:
B'stard Child said:
Jader1973 said:
I just saw the post about the trans. Obviously not great but the beauty of these is that there is huge aftermarket support and bits are cheap. I dread to think what you’d pay for a rebuild on a BMW or Merc trans.
My mate Will is about to buy a ZF fully refurbished transmission for his BMW 760LiObviously not a dealer price for a new one but If I’m remembering correctly it will be 7k GBP
We can fit it in a weekend (so no labour costs) as the one that is failing has been out before for a torque converter swap (which fixed it for two years but was always going to be a short term fix)
The $7k, say £3.7K, I paid was for the whole job - labour, delivery to specialist, parts, rebuild, refit and collection from specialist. And cos I was away at the time, the car got delivered home too
And I still reckon I’m quids in with depreciation, though this wasn’t factored into my Man Maths when I bought it…
Your box strip out rebuild and re-fit was IMHO a bloody bargain
It a sore point because currently the car can't pass an MOT due to an Owl/windscreen interface, new screen is on backorder with no date for supply.
B'stard Child said:
I wasn't trying to disprove Jaders point more agreeing with him - a refurbished box from ZF (exchange) was the cheapest route for Will - BMW it would be mid teens.
Your box strip out rebuild and re-fit was IMHO a bloody bargain
It a sore point because currently the car can't pass an MOT due to an Owl/windscreen interface, new screen is on backorder with no date for supply.
Yeah, was a poor choice of words on my part. Your box strip out rebuild and re-fit was IMHO a bloody bargain
It a sore point because currently the car can't pass an MOT due to an Owl/windscreen interface, new screen is on backorder with no date for supply.
Agree cost was pretty darned good considering the abilities of the car, and kinda offsets the fuel and rear tyre consumption!
Owl/windscreen interface isn’t a form of words you read often - that’s unlucky!
PB Jnr3 plays football for a feeder club to the A League - it’s not as grand as it sounds but does mean we play against teams within about a 90-mins drive. Though one game a season is a bit more of a trip - this year it was Bathurst, which is about 200km/3 hours each way, over the Blue Mountains.
Was going to take the 968, but heavy rain was forecast over the top so took the Bus. Was glad I did as the rain was indeed heavy at times, though was relatively clear in Bathurst.
Football pitch was within sight of The Mountain, that’s Jnr3 with the blond mop…
The M of Mount is close to The Esses
So after the game, we went for a little drive…
Road was cold and wet, and the steep, tight climb up the Cutting was a tiptoe thing. Across the Skyline then stop for views at The Esses…
…the blind entry to which marks the starts of the crazy helter-skelter Dipper down to Forrest Elbow and to Conrod Straight.
It really is one of those circuits to drive to properly get the scale of just how tight, steep and twisty the track is - and also just how close the cars get to the concrete barriers.
The sign prohibits skateboarding on the track - could be fun…
Also went to the Motorsport Musuem which has the history Bathurst 500 & 1000, and many replicas from the past 60 years…
Took the fun road back, Bells Line of Road from Lithgow to Richmond has quite a few twists and turns and great views - when it’s not pissing down…
Oh, and we won the football game, so a worthwhile trip all round
Was going to take the 968, but heavy rain was forecast over the top so took the Bus. Was glad I did as the rain was indeed heavy at times, though was relatively clear in Bathurst.
Football pitch was within sight of The Mountain, that’s Jnr3 with the blond mop…
The M of Mount is close to The Esses
So after the game, we went for a little drive…
Road was cold and wet, and the steep, tight climb up the Cutting was a tiptoe thing. Across the Skyline then stop for views at The Esses…
…the blind entry to which marks the starts of the crazy helter-skelter Dipper down to Forrest Elbow and to Conrod Straight.
It really is one of those circuits to drive to properly get the scale of just how tight, steep and twisty the track is - and also just how close the cars get to the concrete barriers.
The sign prohibits skateboarding on the track - could be fun…
Also went to the Motorsport Musuem which has the history Bathurst 500 & 1000, and many replicas from the past 60 years…
Took the fun road back, Bells Line of Road from Lithgow to Richmond has quite a few twists and turns and great views - when it’s not pissing down…
Oh, and we won the football game, so a worthwhile trip all round
jamesson said:
Bathurst is on the bucket list. One day... Great to see Brocky's Commodore!
I’m not sure I’m much of a fan of the town itself but the track and museum are worth the trip, and if you’ve got kids there’s Western Plains Zoo just up the road at Dubbo.Couple more from the museum…
Plus…
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