Hi guys,

I bought a vk calais efi a few wks ago but am having a mother of a time getting a rwc. First list I got had about 20 things to fix......well I finally fixed them and went back for a recheck and got told that it won't pass because the parcel shelf has been cut. Would have been nice to hear that first off but anyways I put a hell of a lot of effort into disguising this (honestly impressed myself;p) and took it elsewhere.

Well this second place picked the car to pieces with another 20 odd items (right down to rear windows needing lubrication, LHR central locking not working, spare wheel bung needs siliconing in & replacing a wheel stud because it was 'difficult' to put the nut back on etc etc etc). Anyway I fixed them all and went back only to be told that when revving the motor for a while the rear main starts to drip!

I loaded it up with stopleak and called them to see if they can check out the leak now and they said they want another $90 to do it! After twisting their arm just to look they again said the same thing. Is it normal to rev an engine to check leaks?

My question is - and all old holden fans know this - ALL holdens leak from the rear main. I have rebuilt several now and even then they leak somewhat. According to the letter of the vicroads rules they can't leak at all and this basically means all old holdens should be off the road. This car will probably leave 1 or 2 drips on the drive after you park but thats it....I have another 2 old commodores which leak much more than this does so I just can't believe it.

So I have outlaid nearly $200 in rwc tests and got nowhere does anyone know someone who is 'fair' with regard to these things? After the 2 checks the car is now perfect (other than a totally concealed cut parcel shelf and a small rear main leak) it is probably in better condition than most others on the road yet I can't get it damn roadworthied & I really don't want to blow another $90 to be told the same thing. HEEELLLPPPPPPPPPP?!??!?!!!! I'm in south east melbourne near Frankston anywhere remotely nearby would be awesome otherwise I just don't know what to do its certainly not worth pulling the motor out to replace the rear main when to me the leak is so small.....

Yes, I'm with Mick on this one.

While just about every car on the road has a 'wet' area under the engine (not only Holdens), there is a big difference between wetness & a full on leak.

If you can make oil appear on the ground just by revving the engine, you've got a real problem that needs addressing. Stop leak won't reduce leaks from rope seals, they are usually just a softener which will improve the effectiveness of neoprene rubber type seals.

If you really want to 'sneak' past an inspection with that leak, try running some thicker oil & less of it, say just touching the dipstick. A rear main seal is not under pressure, unless your PCV plumbing is not working, so it's only sealing against 'splash'. Just reduce the splash !!

Dr Terry

in vic there can be no sign of any fresh leaking of any fluid, even water, old staining is ok, but I think you must've managed to pick the most perdantic mechanics in your area for a RWC, most I know of locally (wodonga) are happy if the car isn't leaking there & then & if it is, they tell you to go give it a quick wash & bring it back, if it still leaks then thats a different story.
but I was under the impression you have 28 days to have the defects re-inspected free of charge, has that changed?
Also be warned if you keep shopping around for RWC, vic roads may drop round for a visit & want to have it inspected by one of there inspectors, as it looks sus to them why all the different inspections at different locations & they do check.

in vic there can be no sign of any fresh leaking of any fluid True, even water, old staining is ok, but I think you must've managed to pick the most perdantic mechanics in your area for a RWC, most I know of locally (wodonga) are happy if the car isn't leaking there & then & if it is, they tell you to go give it a quick wash & bring it back, if it still leaks then thats a different story Whats Not Leaking can't be rejected. but I was under the impression you have 28 days to have the defects re-inspected free of charge, has that changed It was never 28 Days it has always been 7 days period and as far as fees go there is no set price for a RWC some don't charge for a second inspection some do these are the types of questions one must ask before booking a vehicle in for a RWC? Also be warned if you keep shopping around for RWC, vic roads may drop round for a visit & want to have it inspected by one of there inspectors Unless a vicroads officer is switched on and has a good memory of every car to detect that one particular vehicle has been to several places for a RWC then i wouldn't be concerned, as it looks sus to them why all the different inspections at different locations & they do check.