Holden Commodore: Oil consumption and cold-start piston rattle (5.7 LS1 V8, VT II to VY)
Oil consumption and cold-start piston rattle (5.7 LS1 V8, VT II to VY) is a common engine fault on the Holden Commodore on the 1999–2004 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $800 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 55 documented faults on the Holden Commodore.
- Vehicle
- Holden Commodore
- Engine
- 5.7L / 4.2L / 5.0L / 5.3L / 6.0L / 6.2L / 6.6L / 7.0L
- Years
- 1999–2004
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
High oil consumption and a piston rattle on cold start are a known issue on the 5.7 LS1 Gen III V8 in VT Series II to VY Commodores. Holden treated up to 2.5 litres per 10,000 km as acceptable on early engines and later changed to revised pistons and higher-tension rings; many problem engines were rebuilt under warranty. A light knock that fades as the engine warms is common, but heavy oil use or smoke points to worn rings.
What you would notice
- Light knocking or rattle for the first minutes after a cold start
- Oil level drops between services
- Blue smoke under hard acceleration
- Oily spark plugs
How to check it
Where to look. Engine, pistons and rings
Start the engine from cold and listen for a light knock that fades as it warms.
Check the dipstick and ask how much oil it needs between services.
Look for blue smoke from the exhaust when you accelerate hard on the test drive.
Ask whether the engine had pistons or rings replaced under warranty.
If a workshop inspection is possible: compression and leak-down test, and inspect plugs for oil fouling.
What it costs to put right
$800 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “How much oil does it use between services?”
- “Were the pistons or rings ever replaced under warranty?”
- “Does it rattle on a cold start, and for how long?”
Now check the Holden Commodore you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
Holden Commodore buyer questions
Is oil consumption and cold-start piston rattle (5.7 ls1 v8, vt ii to vy) serious on a Holden Commodore?
We rate it major and common on the Holden Commodore. High oil consumption and a piston rattle on cold start are a known issue on the 5.7 LS1 Gen III V8 in VT Series II to VY Commodores. Holden treated up to 2.5 litres per 10,000 km as acceptable on early engines and later changed to revised pistons and higher-tension rings; many problem engines were rebuilt under warranty. A light knock that fades as the engine warms is common, but heavy oil use or smoke points to worn rings.
How much does it cost to fix on a Holden Commodore?
$800 to $7,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Holden Commodore years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 1999–2004 Holden Commodore. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Start the engine from cold and listen for a light knock that fades as it warms. Check the dipstick and ask how much oil it needs between services. Look for blue smoke from the exhaust when you accelerate hard on the test drive. Ask whether the engine had pistons or rings replaced under warranty. If a workshop inspection is possible: compression and leak-down test, and inspect plugs for oil fouling. Look here: Engine, pistons and rings