Commodore (VB-VL)

1978-1988 / Sedan / Estate / Australia

All Commodore (VB-VL) problems All workshop problems

Minor Engine, Nissan RB30ET (VL Turbo)

Crank-No-Start After Engine Bay Wash

Symptoms

The RB30 (both NA and turbo) cranks but refuses to start after washing the engine bay. May run briefly and die, or not fire at all.

Cause

The RB30's ignition system, particularly the coil assembly, distributor, and the ECU connectors, is highly sensitive to water ingress. Water in the distributor cap or on the crank angle sensor connector prevents spark. Water on the air flow meter connector causes incorrect fuelling. This is one of the most frequently reported VL problems on owner forums.

Fix

Dry the engine bay thoroughly with compressed air or a leaf blower, paying attention to the distributor cap, coil pack connectors, ECU plugs (passenger-side firewall), and the air flow meter connector.

Remove the distributor cap and dry it inside and out.

If the engine still won't start after drying, remove and inspect the crank angle sensor connector for corrosion.

Prevention: never direct a pressure washer at the distributor, coil pack, ECU, or air flow meter.

A light rinse is fine; sustained water pressure is not.

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// More Commodore (VB-VL) problems

Other known issues

Critical Engine, Nissan RB30ET (VL Turbo)

Head Gasket Failure

Overheating, white smoke from the exhaust (especially under boost), coolant loss with no visible external leak, milky residue on the oil filler cap, coolant in the overflow bottle that smells of exhaust, bubbles in the coolant when the engine is running.

Common Engine, Nissan RB30ET (VL Turbo)

Turbocharger Wear

Blue smoke under boost, oil in the intercooler piping, excessive shaft play (compressor wheel contacts the housing), whistling or grinding noise from the turbo.

Common Engine, Nissan RB30ET (VL Turbo)

Air Flow Meter (AFM) Failure

Engine stumbles, surges, cuts out, or won't rev past a certain point. May run fine at idle but die under load. Intermittent misfiring.

Critical Engine, Nissan RB30ET (VL Turbo)

Boost Creep / Overboosting

Boost gauge reads higher than the set level, particularly in higher gears under sustained load. The car feels faster than it should.

Minor Engine, Holden Six (3.3L / 202ci)

Worn Valve Stem Seals

Blue smoke on startup that clears after 30 seconds to a minute. May also smoke briefly on deceleration after sustained highway driving.

Common Engine, Holden Six (3.3L / 202ci)

Carburettor Issues (VB-VH)

Hard starting, rough idle, flat spots on acceleration, flooding, poor fuel economy, black smoke.

All Commodore (VB-VL) problems