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1

General Car Chat / Re: Vauxhall Signum buying advice required....

« on: 27 December 2016, 22:54:13 »

After advice from various sources, it seems I might be better going for a 1.9 CDTi rather than the 3.0. Although I'm also liking the look of Volvos with 2.4 diesel.

I hate having so much choice!!

2

General Car Chat / Re: Vauxhall Signum buying advice required....

« on: 16 December 2016, 21:01:40 »

Just going back to the Signum V6 CDTi...

Is the auto reliable? Or is it the same story as the AR25 in the Omega?  I gather earlier Signum V6 diesels have a different autobox to the later ones. 

And from the earlier comments, FWD is ok for me these days, after 3 driving bans I've steadied myself down a lot lately, can't remember even trying to drift the Omega in the 6 months I've had it.  5 years ago, every roundabout would have been an opportunity for fun!! Reliability and comfort, with a bit of poke for the odd occasions when I can go fast.  I like 6 pot diesels as they sound so much nicer than 4-cylinder ones.

3

General Car Chat / Re: Vauxhall Signum buying advice required....

« on: 14 December 2016, 11:08:13 »

That fact that the Signum is FWD is probably the only thing that puts me off.  I could also look at having another 530d, or equivelant Mercedes, but I'll probably end up with an older car.  For one in my life I want to try and get something that is relatively (for me) modern.  I think the oldest Signum's are on a 53 plate aren't they?  It would certainly be a novelty in getting a car that has the 'new' registration layout (my previous newest cars have been W-plate).

4

General Car Chat / Re: Vauxhall Signum buying advice required....

« on: 13 December 2016, 20:58:54 »

Some interest comments above, thank you!

I quite like the Signum styling, especially the V6 diesel with twin exhaust.  Never driven one though.

To be honest, I just want a big diesel auto than does more to the gallon than the Omega does.  My old Beemer 530d used to get approx 30mpg around town, the Omega struggles to do much more than 20!  My budget is around £1200, seems to be a fair bit to choose from for that amount.

5

General Car Chat / Re: End of the road for my Omega

« on: 13 December 2016, 08:36:37 »

I have a very cosmetically challenged 2.5TD auto which is somehow still running, but the list of faults is getting longer and longer.  With the MOT just over a month away, I am reluctant to throw any more money at the car, so I'm weighing up getting a replacement.

The questions is, what?  I like the idea of a big comfy diesel auto, but I'm not struck on Mercs or Beemers.  I seem to be drawn towards the Vauxhall Signum for some reason, as there's a 3.0 V6 diesel version.  I've no idea what they're actually like to run though.

6

General Car Chat / Vauxhall Signum buying advice required....

« on: 13 December 2016, 08:09:24 »

Morning All,

My tired Omega is coming to the end of its current MOT, and I'm thinking of getting a possible replacement.  For reasons unknown, I seem to be drawn towards the Vauxhall Signum, particularly in 3.0 V6 CDTi flavour. 

Does anyone have any experience of these cars?  Not sure whether to go for manual or auto.  There seems to be plenty about with varying prices.  I'm also not sure whether to go for the 3.0 diesel, or the 1.9 or 2.2 diesels?  The 3.0 seems to be a massive engine for what is effectively a Vectra hatchback, so I'm guessing it ought to go pretty well, but does that particulary engine have any vices that I should be aware of? 

My other option is to try and find a really tidy 2.5TD Omega, as late a model as possible and this time manual not auto.  Whilst I love the comfort and smoothness of the auto, the difference in economy between round town and the open road is ridiculous.  I can get nearly 45mpg on a run, half that around town.  I've never known a car with such a big difference, I used to get more out of a 3.0 Senator!!

7

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 TD Auto stalling problem

« on: 24 November 2016, 11:38:49 »

Did you pull the pipe I mentioned off and check it is clear?

I checked both ends of the pipe for condition, the manifold end was a bit worn, so I removed it and cut the frayed end off the pipe and reattached it.  I didn't blow through the pipe, so will remove it again and do that later.

8

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 TD Auto stalling problem

« on: 23 November 2016, 08:45:42 »

Managed to do a few basic checks the other day.  No signs of leakage around the leak-off pipes, all the injector recesses are dry and the pipes themselves seem ok.  There was a slight weep from the fuel filter, so I tightened it up a little.  Took it for a drive, no difference.

I can be sat in stationary traffic with my foot on the brake, and it will idle in gear ok for so long, then every so often the engine tries to cut out, but recovers itself causing a fairly noticeable surge in the engine revs.  This doesn't seem to happen if I sit in traffic (in gear) with the handbrake on instead of the footbrake.  So maybe the problem is vacuum related after all?   Or is the engine idle too low, as the problem only every occurs with no throttle applied.  Sometimes the engine hunts a bit when idling, especially from cold, but when warm it is ok, and it pulls like a train otherwise. 

I'm a bit mystified with this one!!

9

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 TD Auto stalling problem

« on: 10 November 2016, 07:21:02 »

It wont be vac on a diesel.

To me its fuelling, are the leak off pipes all ok?, is the fuel filter ok? EGR good and clean or blanked off?

The EGR valve is still fitted, but the vacuum pipe to it has been blanked off by a previous owner.  I was considering getting a blanking kit as they seem cheap enough and easy to get hold of. 

I'll check the leak off pipes when I actually get some daylight hours to see what I'm doing.  I haven't noticed diesel leaking before, nor can I smell it, but then again I haven't really been under the bonnet at all since I replaced the auxiliary belt tensioner a few weeks ago.

There is a vac pipe from the underside centre of the inlet fanimold that goes to a gizmo close to the front of the pax
bulkhead, on mine the anti-theft bonnet microswitch is adjacent to it. Check that the pipe is not leaking, they sometimes crack if ancient, is fitted properly, and is also clear. (blow through) 

Good shout, I think I know which one you mean.  Another thing to check in the daylight!

10

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 TD Auto stalling problem

« on: 09 November 2016, 13:53:49 »

After investigating the brake pipes, I'm still no further forwards with this, and the problem is getting worse.

Now the car has developed a habit of cutting out when going coasting round a corner at low speed.  My foot isn't on the throttle or the brake, but it seems like turning the steering wheel can have an effect on the engines ability to run.  By the looks of things, anything that puts a load on the engine when it is idling (i.e. putting it into drive or reverse, steering or braking) sets it off and the engine becomes erratic.  Three point turns or getting in and out of tight parking spaces are the worst.  Usually it recovers its composure fairly quickly, but often cuts out.  If this was an old straight six petrol, i'd be heading straight to the idle valve and cleaning it, as the symptoms are similar.

Are there any common reasons for the 2.5 TD to develop a stalling habit?  It only ever happens when the engine is at idling speed, never when any throttle is applied.  But I've no idea how the idle is controlled on these cars.

11

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 TD Auto stalling problem

« on: 13 October 2016, 11:59:07 »

Sounds like a vac leak somewhere if pressing the brake causes rev alterations. 

Yes I thought that, but where?  Are there any usual culprits for vac leaks?

12

Omega General Help / 2.5 TD Auto stalling problem

« on: 12 October 2016, 07:41:06 »

It's been a few weeks of relatively trouble free motoring for me, but a new fault is starting to rear its ugly head.

The car is a PFL 2.5 TD auto.  Just lately, it is starting to stall when selecting either drive or reverse.  It is worse when cold, but it does it when fully warmed up too.  Usually much worse when selecting gear with my foot on the brake pedal and a touch of steering lock on at the same time.  Once it's in gear, it is usually fine, although when braking to a complete standstill, you can feel the engine surge slightly when almost stationary, as if the engine knows its about to stall and compensates. 

Not sure if this is connected or is the cause of the problem, but I've noticed that when I start the car from cold, the engine fast idles until I press the brake pedal.  Then there is a noticeable reduction in engine revs.  It's almost the same when running with the engine warmed up, if you press the brake pedal whilst ticking over, you can hear the engine falter slightly. 

I usually get around the problem by making sure I'm parked somewhere that doesn't involve a three-point turn, and where I can select a gear without using the brake pedal at the same time.  The village Co-op is favourite as its very tight for parking. 

Any ideas what might be causing this?  The continued help of this forum is always much appreciated! 

13

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 TD Slight Cooling Issue

« on: 29 September 2016, 09:22:13 »

Remove the viscous, it helps keep the I/C fan in functioning condition.

I may try it again without the fan once I've sorted the tensioner.  The viscous hardly ever comes on, so I know its cooling a lot better than it was.  I also know that the electric fans work as they came on before when I tried running it without the viscous for a very short while before I replace the water pump and radiator.

You might be tight, but the tensioner certainly isn't! 

Don't give up the day job.....! 

14

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 TD Slight Cooling Issue

« on: 27 September 2016, 11:53:52 »

Good news 

Indeed.  And it continues to behave, viscous hardly cuts in at all since the weather has cooled down a bit as well.

Still got to do that bloody belt tensioner though.  I know its only a 10 minute job to change it, I'm just tight and I don't want to spend any more on it just yet!!

15

Omega Gallery / Re: "The Shed" - My Omega 2.5 TD CDX Auto Estate

« on: 21 September 2016, 10:23:00 »

Also I weep at 25mpg round town. 19mpg is my real-world round town mpg, but when I owned the Weasel it wasnt much better. My average indicated is on the display 22mpg on Pissy, and was about 22-24mpg on the Turbo Weasel.

Honestly, 25 to the gallon round town sounds pretty good, actually, mate.


Also re: "Next on the list of jobs is to replace the auxiliary belt tensioner damper thingy.  When cold, the engine does sometimes stall if you wind too much steering lock on without any revs. " I can say the Weasel did similar (didn't quite stall, but clearly wasn't far off.) 


Are you sorted for a replacement sump pan, yet? Got mine back, all spick and span, minus the plug. (which was rounded) 

I've kind of got used to the poor fuel consumption around town now.  Its the (in my mind) excessive slipping that does my head in. 

Yes I will still need the sump pan please.  I'll also need to source a replacement filler plug from somewhere too.  And I now need a couple of replacement sump pan bolts as I have two that have stripped the threads out of the gearbox.  Fortunately it isn't leaking from that part of the the sump gasket, yet.

I now have a new problem.....

Tried to drift the car around a dirt track island this morning, which resulted in the air-con belt making a bid for freedom, taking the auxiliary belt off at the same time.  Now I have to put the auxiliary belt back on, which means removing the fan etc.  And I have to do all of this in works car park, which is fortunately large enough for me to do it in a "quiet" corner out of the way of everyone.

Managed to find a diagram of the correct auxiliary belt route.  Won't bother replacing the air-con belt as there's no gas in the system anyway.  I'm guessing that the auxiliary belt tensioner jumping about has probably caused this problem, so I'll order one of those shortly too!