The "Styria" Thread

[Tony66_au]

I use a Mobile Mechanic I've used for a while now and although his rate is $100 an hour he is good and he comes to me.

The deal is i supply parts and good strong fresh coffee, electricity and a nice spot to work, and he does the right thing every time.

And Karl is my second "Pet" Mobile Mechanic as my original guy wont come to me since Ive moved.

An option worth exploring.

Tony

BTW Re the Peugeot/Renault/Volvo V6?

Ive had 2 in Volvo's, the B27 and B28 and although the B27 was a pain in the arse and ate cams, slipped liners and was thirsty as hell it never quit on me.

The B28 was a joy to own in a 265 GLE Wagon and I did well over 300'000 km with it.

the aussie bad rep comes from I believe bad servicing habits as these old girls MUST have 5k oil and filter changes using a good quality, correct viscosity oil as the oil galleries are small up top of the engine and if blocked cause havoc.

Would i own another? Not unless it had a good service history.

But they are now 30 ish years old too although the 760's are still in their 20's.

 

[Styria]

Well guys, all of these stories in one way or another, constitute the core of motoring joy - especially if you own old cars and there is just a lot of loose cash in your back pocket. I am afraid, Tony, but I just can't relate to $100.00 per hour charges - why, that's four grand a week for forty hours ! I've never bathed in that type of luxury.

Getting back to the Statesman, it makes such an interesting comparison specification wise with the 6.9. Top speedo reading - 260 for the 6.9, 220 for the Statesman. Kilometers per 1000rpm in top gear - 40 kms. for the 6.9, about 50kms for the Statesman, 3rd gear on the Statesman - 40 kilometers an hour. Thus the Statesman has long legged gearing, and considering that its 5.7 litre engine produces just about the same horsepower as the 6.9, i.e. 286 odd, considering it accelerates from 0-100 in about 6.2 seconds (faster than the 6.9), how come its speedo tops out at 220 kms/hour ? Plus, it's redlined at about 5800, 300 more than the 6.9. One would think that it should easily (the Statesman) top the 250 mark. Anyone got any wise clues, as I just don't understand the mechanics of it all. Oh, BTW, maximum torque of the Statesman occurs at 4000 rpm. Regards Styria

N.B. Concerning the break-down the following day, it was just the Super Charge Battery that gave up the ghost - with absolutely no warning, but on a very hot day. The engine just cut out. Two years old, three years warranty, equalled free replacement after some haggling about an original invoice that I couldn't produce. Mind you, why would one want to argue with the date stamp they imprint on the battery ? It's there in black and white. That's the first Supercharge Battery I have experienced troubles with over a period of about four years.

 

[Tony66_au]

I think the question should be WOULD you want to do 200 Kph in a Statesman?

I know I wouldn't.

And yet Ive had my 230TE at 175 and it didn't feel bad at all and a tad higher with my 450 SE which also felt solid at 180-ish.

 

[Styria]

Okay, just a bit of an update on our Statesman. The speedo is now up to 207K. and it has performed just about faultlessly. It's driven daily, and with Gleaming Beauty still convalescing (still ? yep !), it is our weekend car as well. The last service it had was in about February, so about six months ago, and I have been busting to carry out an oil and filter change, and attend to some other matters as well.

It all came to a head when the driver's side front window regulator stopped functioning, with the window half way down (or up ) and that needed fixing in a hurry, especially as there was every likelihood of rain developing (a few days ago), and driving early in the morning with the window down was a somewhat chilling experience. Also, the tensioning pulley for the timing/driving serpentine belt was rumbly, and all in all, it was time for some remedial action. So, off I went to 'Just-a-Part' at Castle Hill who had advertised a new after market regulator for $73.00 (on the net) and suggested that they could fit it for $50.00. Good prices, especially if one considers that the previous regulator replacement for the passenger door had been $160.00 plus I think $80.00 for labour. They also had the pulley (genuine Statesman) in stock for about $30.00 as compared to $100.00 for genuine. Okay, this was the mob to go to. Newly established, very few customers, brand new factory unit well decked out and well priced, I got there about 8.30 in the morning, and left at 12.30, at a total cost of $300.00. That included supply and fitting of:

The window regulator (motor included).
The tensioning pulley for the belt.
The two bonnet struts (genuine Statesman).
The two anti sway bar locating rods and rubber buffers.
Replacing the right front parking light globe, after half removing the front bumper bar panel - a bit of a job as the light is not easy to access. That took about three quarters of an hour.

I also bought a wiring loom incorporating the bulb sockets priced at $52.00 from Heartland Holden, and have since changed engine oil and filter. The cost of the Polish made oil filter (from Holden) cost $9.50 and is about a quarter the size of a 6.9 unit. Next job is to have the Air Conditioning checked for 'missing' gas.

Changing (or replacing) the stabilizer rods for the anti sway bar has made considerable difference to the steering and suspension feel of the front end. Just-a-Part increased the tyre pressure to 36 lbs./sq.in., which is a bit too high in my opinion and results in the suspension being a bit harsh. Other than that, the feel is much improved, and the car is a pleasure to drive and to be in. Yep, it takes a bit of tossing, and I still think it's one of the most stylish cars on the road. Regards Styria

 

[Michel]

The Statesman (and the Caprice) has been the flagship of the Holden brand since the early senventies.
It has always been a comfortable (massive long wheelbase) and stylish looking car.

So undervalued and under rated. Well done Godfather.

I hope you have somehow convinced Mrs Styria to hang on a little longer to it

 

[Tony66_au]

Those 350's will do massive miles Styria and with good maintenance will probably see 400'000 k with little issue.

We used to use them when they first came out with the Chev as VHA (Limo service) and they would do 150'000 km per year for 5 years with little in the way of mechanical issues, the electrics, HVAC and interior suffered though but they were basically a Corporate Taxi so this was to be expected as the Fairlanes and LTD's didnt fare any better but had more mechanical repairs (Which was why Mercedes became popular as VHA cars)

 

[Styria]

I think the question should be WOULD you want to do 200 Kph in a Statesman?

I know I wouldn't.

And yet Ive had my 230TE at 175 and it didn't feel bad at all and a tad higher with my 450 SE which also felt solid at 180-ish.

Hi Tony, I have no idea what the Statesman would be like at that speed. I need to be honest and admit to never having driven any faster than 170 (kms)., and that was with Gleaming Beauty. Admittedly, at that speed she felt good and eager to go on, but as you know the law nowadays makes you pay heftily for gross indiscretions, and that's just something I wish to avoid at all times. The Statesman has never exceeded 120 in my hands, and at that speed it felt perfectly satisfactory. Regards Styria

 

[Michel]

I think the question should be WOULD you want to do 200 Kph in a Statesman?

I know I wouldn't.

And yet Ive had my 230TE at 175 and it didn't feel bad at all and a tad higher with my 450 SE which also felt solid at 180-ish.

When the VE Commodore was launched, we (motoring journos) were invited to GM's Lang Lang proving grounds in Victoria to give the new Commodore all we could.

One of the multitude of tests was hi-speed driving.
The V8 6 speed manual was doing 180km/h at 3000rpm in torrential rain and felt very safe.
Although we were told not to go past that speed, a few of us couldn't help it and pushed it past the 200km/h with absolutely no fear or worry about lack of power or handling (In my humble opinion, it could have topped 250 easily).

I still stand by the fact the VE is the best handling Commodore and Australian-built car ever!

 

[Styria]

Well, I have to stick with the 'OLD' Statesman which is providing continuing comfort and reliability. We went 'nuts' with some maintenance issues a couple of months back and spent $300.00 on some items, which included new bonnet struts, new drivers side front door regulator, engine oil change and filter, and two front stabilizer rods for the sway bar. The cost included fitting, but not engine oil change which I carried out myself.

We've just renewed registration for a further twelve months, and this last weekend just gone, we took the car up to The Entrance, a return distance of two hundred and five kilometers, and it took 22.09 liters of petrol, which worked out to 10.77 liters to one hundred kilometers or, in the old language, 26.4 mpg. That's a drop of about 2 mpg when compared with the initial test I carried out when we bought the car three years ago. Then it was a bit over 28mpg. Since the date of purchase in October 2008 (about), it has travelled forty seven thousand fairly trouble free kilometers. Still a lovely car, much cherished on my part. Regards Styria

 

[Michel]

I have to agree with Styria.

The Statesman is excellent value for money and a GREAT car for the dollars spent.

 

[Styria]

Perhaps it is once again time for a short update. Last summer, we noticed that the water temperature would increase gradually, especially with the Air Conditioning operating. It wasn't a big enough worry, and it didn't happen often enough, so nothing was ever done. However, round about October, perhaps November, I noticed that there was no cooling with the A/Con switched on, so I took the car to my very trusty, and very knowledgeable A/C guy at Glenhaven. Re-gassing the system restored cold air to the correct temperature, but he did indicate that a new condenser may soon be required. Anyway, he reckoned to always turn on the system, at least once a week, irrespective of the time of the year.

So come a few hot days November, or December, and it became increasingly evident that the car was overheating, or likely to overheat gradually, after some prolonged driving. On the open road, the system managed to cope, but I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable as I envisaged some more serious problems. Now here comes the clue. How many times have you read, or heard, of guys chasing overheating problems, and the recommendation or advice usually advocating reverse flushing the system etc. etc. etc. and, in the end, there'd still be problems. I am a great believer in not doing things by half measures. First, out with the radiator to be fully serviced by my Radiator specialist, and I also asked him to replace the thermostat with a new unit. When the time came to pick up the car, he advised that the radiator had not been too bad, but that he couldn't replace the thermostat as his licence did not permit him to carry out additional mechanical work. He also indicated that he felt quite a bit of roughness from the water pump pulley, and suggested that I have that looked at. That finding basically confirmed that, more than likely, it was the pump that was responsible for a constant 'rumble' in the engine. BTW, that cost $140.00.

Next I booked the car in with 'Just-a-Parts' at Castle Hill, with instructions to replace the pump and thermostat, and they quoted me $340.00, all up, which would also include the correct inhibitor. So that was parts and labour, which I thought was more than reasonable, and since that work, there has been no further overheating at any time, even today with the temperature probably hovering over the 35 degree range. So, problem solved. No guessing, no mucking about, no scratching heads, or bashing them together. Otherwise, this car is exceptionally reliable and a delight to drive. Highly recommended as a family and every day car. Regards Styria

 

[WiSeGuYY]

Thanks GODFATHER , was indeed worth reading. i'll remember next time i feel my heat gauge sky rocket . BTW first time i'm looking and wishing it is 35 degree , i'm freezing here this time of the year and all cars dirty from wet streets and BRIAN i don't think i can keep cleaning my garage or i will not do anything else .

REGARDS

TAREK

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Styria good advise there is no point in doing half a job and hoping for the best . I used to drive bus's for Kiers of Canberra who also owned Belconnen radiators and windscreens . I have missed the cool change in Perth over the last couple of weeks while in Darwin . But my partner has reminded me that they have had over a week above 40 degrees . Ps saw red 6.3 in Darwin today

 

[Styria]

Again, time for an update. The car's speedometer is now showing 221,265 kms. as at today's date, and for some time now I felt that the car was no longer performing at its best - well, certainly not in comparison when we bought her at about 160K. odd. In those days 28 mpg on the open road was easily achieved, but two recent tests, one to The Entrance (26mpg) and another to Blackheath located in the Blue Mountains (22mpg) indicated that all was not well.

On cold start-ups in the morning, the engine would hunt and almost stall, and hunt again, but when warmed up, that symptom disappeared. When at normal operating temperature, one could detect a slight miss, also evident when starting from traffic lights, but again once on the move, things seemed to be back to normal, reliable running. Also, when leaving Penrith to negotiate the fairly steep hill towards Glenbrook, leaving the box in top gear produced a pronounced miss, hesitation and lack of power. Pulling it back to '3' overcame most of those annoying driving characteristics.

As well, the driver's door regulator replaced in October last year showed definite signs of 'tiredness' and would struggle to close the window completely. What else ? Well, an engine oil and filter change was a little overdue, so I book the car in with Just A Parts at Castle Hill. Two brothers, really nice young guys, were given a list anddescription of the various issues, but I suggested that they replace the high tension leads with new items. Genuine GMH, they were $130.00 - after market, Top Gun, would have been $110.00. I opted for genuine. Anyway, it took a couple of days, and some 'nudges' to get the car back, with hopefully everything sorted out. This they did, in most respects. Still experience a little surging when cold, but I've decided to leave that just for the time being.

Otherwise, what a transformation. I almost tend to think that the car is now a one gear better 'pulling' car. Drive now seems to almost match acceleration in '3', acceleration is just so much improved and it will indeed be interesting to test her on the open road for fuel consumption. The replacement regulator, being a better brand (!) cost an extra $40.00, and replacing the leads, testing the computer system and re-setting it, as well as the oil change and the cleaning of the throttle body and cleaning of the air intake (?) cost $220.00 in labor charges. Money well worth spent, as the car is now just sooooo pleasant and satisfying to drive. BTW, I understand that the later models are not the paragon of reliability. Apparently the fly by wire throttle can be extremely troublesome, and there are supposed to be other reliability issues as well. All in all though, this 2000 year built Statesman is a cracking good car - and I still think one of the most elegant and beautifully styled. Regards Styria

 

[SEL_69L]

I would much rather the styling od a 116 to that of any current model large car.

The wind tunnel has forced the styling of modern cars into convergence.

 

[Styria]

Time for another update. BACK TO BASICS - unfortunately. After the last glowing report, I decided to travel up to the Blue Mountains - Blackheath to be precise. I'll just digress for a moment. What a great little spot that's really come to life and become quite 'hip' over the last few years. Cafes, nice pub, wine tasting on our day - simply absorbing. Anyway, I wanted to test fuel consumption after all the work that had been done. Driving carefully, and for economy, especially on the way back, produced a consumption figure of about 20.5 mpg - a most disappointing figure, given previous readings as good as 28 mpg.

I also noticed that the surging problem re-appeared - well, it never really went away. So keeping an eye on proceedings, I also noticed blue oil smoke (slight) when accelerating with a cold engine. Clearly, I was not happy, so back to Just a Parts at Castle Hill, primarily to correct the cold start surging problem, and the excessive fuel consumption. After replacement of two oxygen sensors, as well as some engine manifold breather pipes, and $400.00 later, the car was returned. It drove nicely, accelerated very well and again, keeping fingers crossed, all seemed to be well again.

Thus, yersterday and today, we completed a 235 kilometer return trip to Budgewoi. On the first day of our journey, we started on the Freeway, but detoured through Gosford and the Central Coast Highway, and on the following day, we repeated the process in reverse order. Even though I drove 'gently', we still maintained 100-120 km/hour on the Freeway (F3) for lengthy periods, and the Central Coast highway was busy traffic and traffic lights wise, but steadily flowing at moderate speeds. The car performed perfectly well, and returned a reading of 11.05 liters per 100 kms., or just on 26 mpg. in old terms. Happy again ! Regards Styria

 

[BenzBoy]

Oxygen sensors are critical to proper running - amazing little devices. I'm pleased to hear that all is back to normal.
Regards,
Brian

 

[WiSeGuYY]

OHH MICHEL SOME FINE CARS and few weird ones too LOL

REGARDS

TAREK