an oil leak, not covered under warranty

[Urko]

Long story short...noticed an oil leak, took my car to Holden dealer and got told that I've got a leak from engine rear main seal and sump gasket has sings of stainage.
Got quoted for $1500 AUD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Told the guy sweet, no worries the ute is still under warranty (its 09 ssv ute, 48.000 km) and apparently factory warrant doesn't cover seals and gaskets!!!!!!!!! WTF.
He said it only covers major repairs. $1600 dollars is not a major repair, you must be f... kidding me. I think I am done with Holden its time to move on....

[Smashfist]

An 09 won't be under factory warranty - will be an extended mechanical plan and no it probably won't cover gaskets. Check the warranty booklet that came with it for more info. Don't blame Holden because your shit aftermarket warranty won't cover it.

[Micks]

Yes unfortunately the extended warranty sold by the stealerships is very deceptive!! Bought that on my old VY & when the clutch let go they told me it would have to be dismantled first & check. If it was a failure "under their terms" it would be replaced. If I took the punt & it turned sour I would be left with the full repair bill @ stealership shop prices & a weak oem clutch :spew:
Decided to have the clutch fixed myself & cancelled the policy, received 75% of the premium back.
My advice is don't entertain ext warranty period!!

[whitels1ss]

Long story short...noticed an oil leak, took my car to Holden dealer and got told that I've got a leak from engine rear main seal and sump gasket has signs of stainage.
Got quoted for $1500 AUD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Told the guy sweet, no worries the ute is still under warranty (its 09 ssv ute, 48.000 km) and apparently factory warrant doesn't cover seals and gaskets!!!!!!!!! WTF.
He said it only covers major repairs. $1600 dollars is not a major repair, you must be f... kidding me. I think I am done with Holden its time to move on....

Firstly... If it is only showing "signs of stainage" I would not worry too much about it,

plenty of engines have a little bit of seepage around gaskets & if it is not dripping on the ground making a mess it won't matter all that much.

Secondly, not sure how much you are saying to fix because you have written 2 prices

but (having been in the trade many years) I have had a few rear mains done for well under $700 by my auto transmission bloke, he does them in under 3 hours.



As I said above, I would not be very worried if it is only a little seepage anyway,

sounds like the bloke might have been more worried about drumming up a bit of work

rather than there being any real problem needing fixing anyway.:idea:

[redvxr8clubby]

Oil leaks come standard with Holden. I had rear main seal problems with my 1997 VS Exec 3.8. This is probably 10 years ago, at first I was quoted $700 by local mechanic, when I was a way in Brisbane I was quoted $500, I got it done there. Less than a year later I had to get it done again. This time I paid the $700 for the local guy to do it. They told me the VS Ecotech has a problem with the plate in which the rear main seal is installed. Their price included the replacement with a new (redesigned) plate, as this is a known issue - never had a problem again, and I did have the car for some years after that. I agree with the extended warranty comments already made. Get the rear main seal fixed by someone you can trust other than by Holden, I would think you could get it done by someone trust worthy around the $1000 mark. Until just recently I had an '06 Lancer wagon with 140,000 Km on it, change the oil myself on that car, get under the car no oil leaks at all. For some reason Holden seem clue less about oil seals, where as the Japs don't seems to have a problem, definitely sucks to have on 48,000 Km on the car and have to do rear mains. That said as far I know my late 09 SV6 with 104,000 Km is OK with no leaks. I haven't been changing the oil myself on this car, so I don't actually get down underneath for a proper inspection though. If you are otherwise happy with your SSV Ute, I wouldn't "move on" solely for this reason.

[Bling Bling]

Firstly... If it is only showing "signs of stainage" I would not worry too much about it,

plenty of engines have a little bit of seepage around gaskets & if it is not dripping on the ground making a mess it won't matter all that much.

Secondly, not sure how much you are saying to fix because you have written 2 prices

but (having been in the trade many years) I have had a few rear mains done for well under $700 by my auto transmission bloke, he does them in under 3 hours.



As I said above, I would not be very worried if it is only a little seepage anyway,

sounds like the bloke might have been more worried about drumming up a bit of work

rather than there being any real problem needing fixing anyway.:idea:

If he does it in under 3 hours wow what is his hourly rate i am a mechanic and charge $70 i think my price might go up..

[whitels1ss]

If he does it in under 3 hours wow what is his hourly rate i am a mechanic and charge $70 i think my price might go up..

As I posted above he has done them for me for "well under $700" & he does charge me under your $70 per hour also.:lol:

(He is a very good fast mechanic who has an absolutely huge turnover of mainly trade dealership work)

My point was that even if it was dripping oil & in fact needed fixing, the price quoted was very high.

If you charge $70 per hour & even if you were a very slow mechanic I am sure you would like a job like that paying even $1500 ;)

[swingtan]

If it's a manual and it's got any sign of rear main leakage, it needs to be fixed. Small leaks will have oil running across the spinning fly wheel will spray it around the bell housing, where is will drip on to the clutch and contaminate it. Auto's will handle a leak a bit better....

[Urko]

Its not just this, its about things that happened in the past as well...worst service ever.
They would lick your fingers when your are buying a new car but what comes after is totally different story
An 09 won't be under factory warranty - will be an extended mechanical plan and no it probably won't cover gaskets. Check the warranty booklet that came with it for more info. Don't blame Holden because your shit aftermarket warranty won't cover it.

[Urko]

Thats why I am pissed o....48.000km and rear main seal is leaking...its not 10k ute
Oil leaks come standard with Holden. I had rear main seal problems with my 1997 VS Exec 3.8. This is probably 10 years ago, at first I was quoted $700 by local mechanic, when I was a way in Brisbane I was quoted $500, I got it done there. Less than a year later I had to get it done again. This time I paid the $700 for the local guy to do it. They told me the VS Ecotech has a problem with the plate in which the rear main seal is installed. Their price included the replacement with a new (redesigned) plate, as this is a known issue - never had a problem again, and I did have the car for some years after that. I agree with the extended warranty comments already made. Get the rear main seal fixed by someone you can trust other than by Holden, I would think you could get it done by someone trust worthy around the $1000 mark. Until just recently I had an '06 Lancer wagon with 140,000 Km on it, change the oil myself on that car, get under the car no oil leaks at all. For some reason Holden seem clue less about oil seals, where as the Japs don't seems to have a problem, definitely sucks to have on 48,000 Km on the car and have to do rear mains. That said as far I know my late 09 SV6 with 104,000 Km is OK with no leaks. I haven't been changing the oil myself on this car, so I don't actually get down underneath for a proper inspection though. If you are otherwise happy with your SSV Ute, I wouldn't "move on" solely for this reason.

[Toddler78]

his is what annoys me with people, b1tch b1tch b1tch about the big bad company and how they are screwing them when they dont even understands their rights. NO it is not factory warrenty, that ran out 2 years ago, it is a dealer extended warrenty that you either got for free when you purchssed the vehicle or if you did pay for it, why didnt you read the pds with the coverage? and detirmine whether you tought it was worth it or not. It is not the company's job to hold yourr hand and make sure you understand what you ade signing or buying, it is yòir responsiblity. SAME goes for morons that go and buy the cheapest insurance and then complain when it doesnt actually cover them. I have no sympathy for them

[Micks]

Just to note had three LS derivatives so far & not one has a rear main leak or any blow back period! They should not leak!! If they do there is a problem!!

[Micks]

his is what annoys me with people, b1tch b1tch b1tch about the big bad company and how they are screwing them when they dont even understands their rights. NO it is not factory warrenty, that ran out 2 years ago, it is a dealer extended warrenty that you either got for free when you purchssed the vehicle or if you did pay for it, why didnt you read the pds with the coverage? and detirmine whether you tought it was worth it or not. It is not the company's job to hold yourr hand and make sure you understand what you ade signing or buying, it is yòir responsiblity. SAME goes for morons that go and buy the cheapest insurance and then complain when it doesnt actually cover them. I have no sympathy for them

While I agree with you on principle the underwriter does not go into fine detail in their PDS on every possible repair scenario or fix!! ;)

[whitels1ss]

While I agree with you on principle the underwriter does not go into fine detail in their PDS on every possible repair scenario or fix!! ;)

Mick, most of the extended warranties state very clearly that gaskets & seals are not covered

unless they need to be replaced whilst replacing broken parts which are being replaced under warranty.

That kinda tells people that some oil leaks are not covered.;)

[Micks]

That's right Ed is why I recommend you save your hard earned & don't buy Ext Warranty!! Better spent on mods! ;)

[whitels1ss]

That's right Ed is why I recommend you save your hard earned & don't buy Ext Warranty!! Better spent on mods! ;)

I have seen people pay up to $3,000 for an extended warranty which the dealer pays around $400 for.

They only sell them to make money & also sometimes they can them as a selling tool for selling cars to people who are scared of high repair costs.

[Micks]

Yep paid about $1100 for mine back in 07 on a VY just about outta factory warranty. Never again :teach:

[Smashfist]

Some extended warranties are good, have dealt with Swann's premium ext. warranty and it's almost as good as a factory warranty.

[Urko]

Maybe it is my experience with this Holden dealer, that is why I b1tch about. I have never ever been happy with their service tho. There was always something. I wonder how would you fell Toddler if you would have to replace main rear seal at 48k km.
his is what annoys me with people, b1tch b1tch b1tch about the big bad company and how they are screwing them when they dont even understands their rights. NO it is not factory warrenty, that ran out 2 years ago, it is a dealer extended warrenty that you either got for free when you purchssed the vehicle or if you did pay for it, why didnt you read the pds with the coverage? and detirmine whether you tought it was worth it or not. It is not the company's job to hold yourr hand and make sure you understand what you ade signing or buying, it is yòir responsiblity. SAME goes for morons that go and buy the cheapest insurance and then complain when it doesnt actually cover them. I have no sympathy for them

[Smashfist]

Maybe it is my experience with this Holden dealer, that is why I b1tch about. I have never ever been happy with their service tho. There was always something. I wonder how would you fell Toddler if you would have to replace main rear seal at 48k km.

There's a difference between badmouthing "Holden" and a "Holden dealer". Maybe you should get your facts straight before you start complaining about service you have received and stop behaving like a self entitled wanker.

At the end of the day, you have a low km vehicle that's 5 years old - rubber still perishes even when you're not driving it much (hell it's probably worse, as the seals are going to dry out). Pony up to fix it or don't own a car - it's called maintenance. Too many owners complain like blue murder every time they need to fix something, how about IT'S PART OF OWNING A GOD DAMNED CAR!

[vyls1wa]

Or man up and fix it yourself, if you know how to, great if not, you'll learn from everyone else that's had a crack. And you'll save yourself a heap.

the unfortunate thing is getting all excited about buying your new car and not fully looking into the bs the sales team try to push on you, those warranties can be shit

[Plenty]

Had a small rear main leak fixed on my 09 ssv under extended warranty, trick with them is to get the 3rd party policy and check to see what is covered. , mine was with Swann insurance. With exactly the same coverage as the factory one.

[Smashfist]

Had a small rear main leak fixed on my 09 ssv under extended warranty, trick with them is to get the 3rd party policy and check to see what is covered. , mine was with Swann insurance. With exactly the same coverage as the factory one.

That's why you need to read the policy... Most people see the word "warranty", ignore everything else, and moan loudly when.something isn't covered.

[Toddler78]

Had a small rear main leak fixed on my 09 ssv under extended warranty, trick with them is to get the 3rd party policy and check to see what is covered. , mine was with Swann insurance. With exactly the same coverage as the factory one.
Exactly right has the op actually checked his paper work to see what was covered? I have had two instances 1. Had a failure in my monaro (Sorry cant rememberwhat it was) it was to the tune of ovrr $1000 though. Holden desler told me no sorry not covered . 30 seconds of reading to find the section i was after and upton presentingit to my dealer and showing them that it is deed covered they happy stood corrected and foot the bill. Had another experience with my home and contents insurer rang to enquire about making a claim (I had servered the telstra fibre optic cables - very very expensive mistake) was told no not covered, so i paid the bill, it wasnt until a few months later that i was reading my pds that i discovered that i should be covered, rang and made a claim, it got refered and they were talking a out denying it until i pointec them to the section in question where they jnstantly agreed with me and honoured the claim.
moral of this story is these policies are covered by companies looking to make money, they are not run by charities, whether it was a inoccent uninformed error or a blantent attempt to avoid paying out, you need to know your rights, not only as a conumer but also as the other party entering into the contract.

[Toddler78]

Maybe it is my experience with this Holden dealer, that is why I b1tch about. I have never ever been happy with their service tho. There was always something. I wonder how would you fell Toddler if you would have to replace main rear seal at 48k km.

Dont get me wrong, i wouldnt be celebrating, but the car is 5 years old and as smashfist mentioned 48k is nothing for that age of car, what could of contributed is the lack of moisture from the oil to keep it from perishing. Gee ive gone through purchases where the product has lasted 12 months and then needs to be repaired or replaced out of warrenty, should thesecthings fail? No they shouldnt but that is why you do have a warrenty period but it cant be a indefinant warrenty.
Heck i bought a davey rainbank for 950 when i built my house. It remained in the box for 2 years while i sorted out my stormwater, retianing and rainwater tank. When i connected it up it failed within a week , the warrenty was 2 years, so though i had only usec it for a week and maybe pumped 100 litres through it if i wax lucky i was up for another 950, cop it on the chin and move on

[blackvussii]

I bought my vu from a car yard, the guy talked me into getting a AWN warranty on it for $1000 for 5 yrs.
It was a 6 year old second hand V8 with 100k on it at the time so it sounded too good to be true but ended up claiming $7000 worth of repairs, no questions asked, over the term, it just ran out.
Gaskets weren't covered and have fixed plenty of other issues myself but a few of the bigger items were gearbox, clutch, 2 new radiators, new alternator.
Made sure i rooted the diff then gave them 3.9s and a true track to put in when that was rebuilt for free as well.
I just had to make sure it was serviced every 6 months to the day and send them a copy of the invoice. This is where they make their money, people take it out then miss a service and they void it.
I'd def do it again.

[Urko]

Was just upset when I started this thread, grumpy old fart :) i am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to live without my V8 baby :)
Gonna get some quotes first If I can save few coins but i reckon $880 for replacing rear main seal is not so bad at all
Dont get me wrong, i wouldnt be celebrating, but the car is 5 years old and as smashfist mentioned 48k is nothing for that age of car, what could of contributed is the lack of moisture from the oil to keep it from perishing. Gee ive gone through purchases where the product has lasted 12 months and then needs to be repaired or replaced out of warrenty, should thesecthings fail? No they shouldnt but that is why you do have a warrenty period but it cant be a indefinant warrenty.
Heck i bought a davey rainbank for 950 when i built my house. It remained in the box for 2 years while i sorted out my stormwater, retianing and rainwater tank. When i connected it up it failed within a week , the warrenty was 2 years, so though i had only usec it for a week and maybe pumped 100 litres through it if i wax lucky i was up for another 950, cop it on the chin and move on

[whitels1ss]

Was just upset when I started this thread, grumpy old fart :) i am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to live without my V8 baby :)
Gonna get some quotes first If I can save few coins but i reckon $880 for replacing rear main seal is not so bad at all

Make certain it needs replacing first mate, as I said earlier I would not be too concerned if it is only "slight stainage"

(as if I remember correct you wrote in your first post) especially if the car is an automatic.

As I said, quite often workshops (& plenty of other business) scare you into paying for unnecessary work only to suit their own pocket

especially if they pick up that you are not an expert on whatever it is they are talking about charging you for.

[IJ.]

One thing to keep in mind is the LS Series of engine don't use a Lip seal, it's a low tension face seal and if you have anything "wrong" in the PCV system it's going to seep oil...

Wrong could be a misplumbed catch can or blockages from sludge to a squashed line, worth having a good look around before hitting the panic button, as White said it may have been a slow day at the shop and they figured they'd freak you into spending some $$$.

[Blown 454 AWD]

Just throw some Mainlube 260 seal saver in,

over a 90% success rate with the product,

No solvents.

Soften that old seal and make it fit the shaft again.

Cheers

Steve

[planetdavo]

If not a "factory" new car warranty, it is an extended "insurance policy based" warranty, and like EVERY insurance policy, it will have a multitude of conditions attached as to what you do or don't get for your money.
This applies whether the policy is purchased via the dealer OR by the owner directly off the insurer.
The main issue with this ongoing topic is that people ASSUME they are buying several more years of factory warranty- even though the answers are out there...

[Urko]

Just an update...

Called Holden Customer Service and had a chat with them regarding this issue.
Emailed them VIN, current odo, rego No, dealership address, detailed outline of vehicle concerns etc...they will get back to me asap.

Fingers crossed :)

[Smashfist]

Fingers crossed they say no. You are the sort of person that makes me want to exit customer service. You don't read your aftermarket warranty policy, and carry on like an ass when you're told something you should already know. Why on earth you're calling Holden to complain about an aftermarket warranty policy on a car way out of factory warranty is beyond me.

[whitels1ss]

Fingers crossed they say no. You are the sort of person that makes me want to exit customer service. You don't read your aftermarket warranty policy, and carry on like an ass when you're told something you should already know. Why on earth you're calling Holden to complain about an aftermarket warranty policy on a car way out of factory warranty is beyond me.

It might be a Holden Dealer (I think they used to call them "Holden Certified Used Car") used car warranty if he bought the used car from a Holden Dealer? ;)

[Smashfist]

It might be a Holden Dealer (I think they used to call them "Holden Certified Used Car") used car warranty if he bought the used car from a Holden Dealer? ;)

Holden certified doesn't have anything to do with Holden really. All that it means is the vehicle has had a specific type of safety inspection and has some form of warranty. 99% of the time it's a dealer based warranty, administered by a third party, that basically covers mechanical failures up to $xx only. It also ties the vehicle in to dealership servicing for the term of the warranty or it is void. Something the OP should know having signed a contract of sale to that effect.

[whitels1ss]

Holden certified doesn't have anything to do with Holden really. All that it means is the vehicle has had a specific type of safety inspection and has some form of warranty. 99% of the time it's a dealer based warranty, administered by a third party, that basically covers mechanical failures up to $xx only. It also ties the vehicle in to dealership servicing for the term of the warranty or it is void. Something the OP should know having signed a contract of sale to that effect.

Buddy, I know all of that very well but I know people will still ring Holden who will make sympathetic listening noises.

Not arguing with you on anything, only saying the reason why I think he would have phoned them.

[Smashfist]

Buddy, I know all of that very well but I know people will still ring Holden who will make sympathetic listening noises.

Not arguing with you on anything, only saying the reason why I think he would have phoned them.

Fair enough. Had my fill of muppets as of late :sleep:

[planetdavo]

Fair enough. Had my fill of muppets as of late :sleep:

Isn't the customer always right, and "Holden" always shaft the customer- never the other way around...;)

[Urko]

Calm down buddy, its only an oil leak :)
Fingers crossed they say no. You are the sort of person that makes me want to exit customer service. You don't read your aftermarket warranty policy, and carry on like an ass when you're told something you should already know. Why on earth you're calling Holden to complain about an aftermarket warranty policy on a car way out of factory warranty is beyond me.

[planetdavo]

Just an update...

Called Holden Customer Service and had a chat with them regarding this issue.
Emailed them VIN, current odo, rego No, dealership address, detailed outline of vehicle concerns etc...they will get back to me asap.

Fingers crossed :)

As a general comment regarding "out of FACTORY warranty" cars, if the vehicle has a good dealership based service history, is in good general condition and the car isn't stupidly out of the 3 year OR 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first), Holden (the company NOT the franchised dealer) MAY do a "good will" claim. Something along the lines of a 50/50 split isn't unusual.
BUT...if the vehicle DOESN'T have regular dealership service history, has been poorly maintained OR you are a recent used car buyer, good will is far less likely.

[planetdavo]

Calm down buddy, its only an oil leak :)

I could be wrong, but if it was "only" an oil leak, the thread probably wouldn't have started the way it did...;)

[Urko]

Just what I wanted to say, the car has always been serviced at Surfers City HOLDEN and always been looked after and there is another thing now. Since the Holden dealer checked my ute it stopped leaking oil. Cant see any marks on the ground etc...
I went and got a second opinion from certified mechanic and they told me its the oil filter that was leaking, no oil around main seal, its all dry underneath etc...I was under the car because he wanted to show me. Yea f***** dealer shop :flipoff:, trying to rip their valued customers off. Thanks for that, they wont see me over there anymore.
As a general comment regarding "out of FACTORY warranty" cars, if the vehicle has a good dealership based service history, is in good general condition and the car isn't stupidly out of the 3 year OR 100,000km warranty (whichever comes first), Holden (the company NOT the franchised dealer) MAY do a "good will" claim. Something along the lines of a 50/50 split isn't unusual.
BUT...if the vehicle DOESN'T have regular dealership service history, has been poorly maintained OR you are a recent used car buyer, good will is far less likely.

[Hjs2]

I had a clutch replaced under swan insurance on a ve clubsport that had 52000kms. What does the pds actually say?

[planetdavo]

Just what I wanted to say, the car has always been serviced at Surfers City HOLDEN and always been looked after and there is another thing now. Since the Holden dealer checked my ute it stopped leaking oil. Cant see any marks on the ground etc...
I went and got a second opinion from certified mechanic and they told me its the oil filter that was leaking, no oil around main seal, its all dry underneath etc...I was under the car because he wanted to show me. Yea f***** dealer shop :flipoff:, trying to rip their valued customers off. Thanks for that, they wont see me over there anymore.

With respect, considering the way the thread started, it was pretty unlikely you were going there anyway...
Who knows. Maybe they tightened up the sump and gave it a degrease, and it's not there right now.
Keep an eye on it though.

[Urko]

Please don't get me wrong but I was going to fix it there anyway, was just a little bit upset but when I got the second opinion changed the whole thing. The mechanic went around the sump and where the main seal leak should have been with his finger and the only thing we could see was dust marks. Nothing else. Will still keep an eye on it thats for sure.
With respect, considering the way the thread started, it was pretty unlikely you were going there anyway...
Who knows. Maybe they tightened up the sump and gave it a degrease, and it's not there right now.
Keep an eye on it though.