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Commodore (VB-VL)

1978-1988 / Sedan / Estate / Australia

All Commodore (VB-VL) problems All workshop issues
Critical Engine, Nissan RB30ET (VL Turbo)

Head Gasket Failure

Symptoms

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.

Cause

The factory RB30ET head gasket is a composite (fibre/graphite) design that is marginal at the stock 7 psi boost level and fails predictably above 10 psi. The head gasket is the single most common and most critical failure on the VL turbo. Temperature cycling, age, and boost all contribute to failure. Many VL turbos have been through multiple head gaskets.

Fix

Replace with a multi-layer steel (MLS) head gasket.

This requires removing the head, checking the head and block surfaces for flatness (resurface if necessary), and reassembling with correct ARP head studs (stock bolts are adequate for stock boost but studs are insurance).

The head should be checked for cracks, particularly between the valve seats and the combustion chambers.

Budget $800-1,500 for a proper MLS head gasket job with the head checked and surfaced.

This is the single most important upgrade you can do to a VL turbo, do it proactively, even if the current gasket seems fine.

Cost mentioned in fix
Budget $800-1,500 for a

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Other known issues

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.
Critical Engine, Holden Six (3.3L / 202ci)

Oil Leaks (All Holden Six and V8)

Oil on the garage floor, oil smell, oil coating on the underside of the engine.
View all 21 Commodore (VB-VL) problems