Holden Barina Engine Problems

From what I can gather, the engine in your Barina is an interference design. That is, if the timing belt breaks, the pistons and valves (in the cylinder head) will, indeed, meet head on at speed, turning the engine to junk in a slip-second. So make sure the timing belt is changed every 100,000km to reduce the risk of this happening.

Some engines with timing belts are non-interference designs, meaning that a broken belt will simply allow the pistons and crankshaft to continue to rotate without hitting (or damaging) the valves. Replacing the belt and retiming the engine will return it to full health. You'll still be stranded by the roadside if it happens, of course.

A build up of carbon deposits (a by-product of burning petrol) is, indeed, a known fault with this engine. If it occurs, it can create the precise symptom you’re seeing (the check-engine light) but can also lead to an erratic idle and misfiring. There have also been cases where this engine has developed wear in the exhaust valve and valve-seat region, with similar end results. Unfortunately, the only fix is to remove the cylinder head and replace both the exhaust valves and their seats.

I agree that 52,000km is a depressingly low mileage for problems like these to occur, so you need to make absolutely sure it really is the cause before you start to tear into the engine. A leak-down and compression test may throw some light on things, as can an electronic scan of the car. A fault-code of P0300 is a big clue that the exhaust valves are at the centre of the problem. This model Barina was another Holden that was simply a re-badged South Korean-built Daewoo with all that implies.

There are any number of possible reasons, from a shot battery to a faulty starter, and a multitude of other things in between. Take it to a mechanic and have it checked.

It’s most unusual for a fuel-injected car to suffer from fuel vaporisation as you suggest your daughter’s does. Check the fuel pump, make sure the fuel return line is not blocked, and check to see the fuel lines are not too close to the exhaust. It can also be affected if the car is running hot for some reason, so make sure the cooling system is up to scratch.

Take it to a mechanic or an auto electrician, who will be able to sort it out for you.

Those early Barinas were prone to oil leaks. I guess that you have had it repaired before, but without success. If it's fixed properly it shouldn't leak, but it could be that it needs a better sealant, or the surface of the rocker cover might need machining flat.

Regular 91-octane unleaded is the specified fuel for your car, but you could also run it on E10 ethanol or Premium unleaded as well.

The mechanic's advice is wrong, follow the service book info.

There's certainly a problem with it. If it's not overheating it must be leaking. Have the radiator checked for leaks, check the radiator hoses and clamps, and check any fittings on the engine that have coolant flowing through them.

It's an electrical or electronic fault that's causing your car to go into the default limp home mode. It's not possible to say exactly what is wrong, do that you need to take the car to a mechanic and have them diagnose the problem on their equipment.