Has blown black smoke since I got it, once the engine reaches about 3000rpm, it gets too rich and has trouble accelerating any further and black smoke billows out the exhaust until I back off. Had it fully checked out by a mechanic, he changed everything including injectors, computer, airflow meter and oxygen sensor trying to find the problem. He finally got the mixtures right on the dyno, but after a week of having it back it's beginning to happen again.
Could someone please help me, I don't know what the hell is going on. He suggested it could also be the charcoal canister, maybe filling up with fuel and being drawn back into the engine at high RPM.
It's a beautiful car but I am getting very frustrated, apparently the last owner sold it because he could fix it (nice of him to tell me before I bought it, not). But for the week it went well it was fantastic and was producing 100kw at the wheels.
VL's produce 120kw mate so ur car aint that good, they have a nissan skyline engine in them which are the best so I say take it to a holden or nissan dealer :)
They actually produce around 114Kw, but the Calais also has a lot of power options which could drop it down to 100Kw.
Your smoke problem could be one of two things: your tires are too bald and you can't help smoking it up when you plant your foot, or I don't know. If you have replaced all that stuff you mentioned I can't really narrow it down to anything besides the exhaust (possibly the resonator or maybe the full system??)
For the age and mileage of the engine, 100kw is great, in fact, a little too good to be true.
If the car is having trouble burning fuel, then maybe it is to do with the intake. You get what you pay for. Rither the car has no rego, or a dodge roadworthy was used to transfer ownership. Is your mechanic fully qualified? Or is he just simply your best mate with an opinion valued highly as the other two I have read. Take it to a mechanic with full qualifcations. Don't take it to a dealership, unless you are looking to have a 30,000km service. Take it somewhere who specialise in analysis.
What are you jokers on?
His engine is RB30ET this engine produces 150kW standard. They are an awesome engine with a massive amount of potential. 14 sec 1/4 mile times with exhaust, 10psi and cold air, 11-12 sec quarters with intercooler T04 turbo LSD 3.9s, 2 extra injectors properly tuned.
- sin
www.calaisturbo.com | Home of the VLTURBO.
The RB30ET is turbo.
They produced 150KW at the engine and pretty much on 100KW at the wheels so it is right.
The RB30E only produced 114KW.
I have a 87 VL Calais and I love my car.
I had a similar problem with mine with black smoke and it ran really rough. It didn't do this all the time, but now and then. It then got worse so I took it up to my local ABS Centre. After replacing the air flow sensor, etc finally found out it was the fuel pressure regulator. It's like a valve to keep the fuel pressure at right pressure. In my case it was stuffed and all over the place, one moment running too rich, the next too lean.
So this is possibly the case with yours. After I got mine replaced, it's been running like a gem, well really like a VL Calais... sweet.
Hello, Craig Stubbings here.
Most of those guys don't know what they are on about. Except
Sin from Calais Turbo.com, He's a good bloke. I did a bit of work for a Holden Dealer and my best mate owns a 1986 Calais. It was blowing the black smoke and running VERY rich. We had to swap over the Oxy-Sensor and now it runs great. For more go fast DIY's E-Mail Me at craigstubbings@Yahoo.com.au.
Just go to www.calaisturbo.com go to the N/A section and it will tell you what the problem is.
I had a vl calais that blew smoke for a few months and I kept putting off the inevitable service. However one day when I was cruising down the Hume Highway, Kelly (as I affectionately called her) decided it was time to blow up. I was lucky to escape alive.
Black smoke problem, try replacing your air regulator, it act's like a choke.
Hi my name is Troy l have a VL turbo as well and have had many of problems as well. Buy original work shop manual no 2 and no6 or max ellery's workshop manual which is a near direct copy of the original read some things 2 or 3times to be sure you understand it properly then buy your self a good multi meter and start checking items out the books will tell you most of which you will want to know like even your pressure regulator solenoid which is a problem that many people over look, but most things that most people have said can be true as l have had it happen to me from leaky injectors crank angle senor so keep on battling
pigman www.spike2003@bigpond.com.
Sum of the problem the sort of spark plugs,
NGK iridium plugs will cause fouling with in
300kms and will fry electronics & and will
contiune to cause problems after replaced.
I own a VL also and it is an awsome car. its N/A so no turbo and it runs fine. it will reve up to 5500 easy no hick ups. As for your problem if you have had others check it out this may sound like a rash call, but Id drop another RB30 in it. the motors go for like $600 cos there such a tough engen and they don't have many problems. If you are looking for power the skyline engion may be an option to, but your going to be spending money on the RB25 and with turbo, gearbox, etc.. you are looking at around $5000 fitted. Then the tweeks like intercooler, boost controllers etc.. but Id go for another vl engion in the thing if your frusterated.
Your fuel pressure regulator is no good or have a look at the intake hoses, usually over time they fall off due to the movement of the engine and tighten the clamps back up (next to the air flow metre)
The calais is an awesome car and should be looked after. But, you have to remember, these things are near 20 years old now, I suggest getting the entire engine re-built, because really mate, it is worth it. Head over to calaisturbo.com.au if you want to go through things one by one as the blokes over there are really quite helpfull.
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