Help with LS1 - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

BOF · 02-23-2003, 21:50

I know this is Fordforum but we have a few people with LS1's come over for a read from time to time.

Anyway..

Mate of mine has a auto VX2 SS with 30,000km which he brought brand new and it rattles and burns about 3lts of oil every 5,000km. I told him ages ago to take it back and ask for a rebuild, he did the other day to his dealer in Perth and they said that it was all normal and they would put a thicker oil in (which he would have to pay for)

The engine is suffering from major piston slap and this dealer tells him it's normal and fobbed him off. He told them he wants a rebuild and they just said "What for? there is nothing wrong with your engine"

What should he do?

Night_Lurker · 02-23-2003, 21:59

hassle them further (or even go to another dealer) and even get holden HQ involved.

strife · 02-23-2003, 22:09

I think its a matter of kicking up a stink and demanding to see the Holden zone representative

Bluedriver · 02-23-2003, 22:16

Go above the dealer. There must be a Holden Customer Service line to be able to present his case....

Devil CV8 · 02-23-2003, 22:22

Sounds like the dealer is trying the old bluff on your mate. Tell him to go back and demand to speak to the service manager and dealer principle. Inform them that as he is using more than the allowed amount of oil that he demands a rebuild using the new piston kit that is arriving from canada, and that he will require a loan car all at no cost. In the meantime the dealer is to top up the engine with standard 10w30 oil, not thicker oil to mask the usage, also at no cost, and if they have any problems fullfilling these requests your mate will be contacting Holden direct informing them of the dealer's reluctance to perform his required standard of customer care...

Rodderz · 02-23-2003, 22:42

Apparently one of the latest fixes is teflon-coated pistons which provide better seal in the cylinder. Not sure how long it will last. Was told on the weekend by a mecho from what he has seen Ls1's being a performance motor need to be run in pretty hard to bed everything in better. The general consensus at LS1.com has been the same.

Having said that u shouldnt have to do that to a new car (fuel $$$, stress on new driveline etc) but it shouldnt really be acting that way. Crack a hissy at the dealer and make them fix it and dont put up with any excuses or cheap fixes. Moat people say they need to be pretty demanding in getting any major work done.

Cheers

anakha · 02-23-2003, 23:12

I read in a Zoom article a while back that the LS1 has poorly designed PCV system which can let a lot of oil into the intake system. Apparently the fix is not difficult to apply.

strife · 02-23-2003, 23:39

as part of my motor builds on my ls1 motors I use the LS6 valley cover and PCV.

Rollin · 02-24-2003, 00:12

the max allowable oil useage for a GenIII is 2.5L per 10,000km.

tell them to get their sh*t togather and if they dont then your mate should go to another dealer - he may have to give them the car overnight so they can start the car when it is cold, so they can hear the piston slap - BTW it has to last for at least 10 seconds after startup, shouldnt be a problem if its as bad as you say.

we just got new foremans notes today that state when the shipment of revised pistons comes in, i read it but i cant remember the date.

it does say that we should not rebuild any engines until we get the new pistons in though.

i am surprised they are having such an issue with it, its not like its a big secret any more...

Brendan · 02-24-2003, 02:20

The other major problem you have is that most of the WA dealers have their heads up their arses.

There have been several guys have dramas trying to get stuff fixed.