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[JamesV6CDX]

I've not checked the oil in my Omega for a while, so I pulled out the dipstick tonight, and it was only about half way, so I decided to top it up.

When I removed the oil filler cap, I noticed that across approximately half of the cap, there was a (very) fine layer of "mayonnaise" or sludge. I stress, a very small amount.

Last week, I also had to put 1 litre of coolant in the header tank, when the "coolant level" warning came on.

I'm hoping to goodness that these two are not combined...

Most of my driving is on motorways and A roads, and I'm not particularly gentle, so my cars are always opened up, and never used for short runs.

I've cleaned off the cap and I'll keep an eye on if it returns, but anyone have any thoughts on this?

It's only an old car, but it does keep going, so would be good if it would continue to do so!

[Timbuk]

If theres no water in the oil your most likely looking at oil cooler, same symptons as mine, can you smell fuel from the header tank?

[CaptainZok]

Mine used to do the water leak thingy, is the HBV ok? Does it seem to leak constantly or is it a leaks then is ok for days then leaks again? Mine seemed to leak when switched to cold but was fine if the heater was left on the hot setting. Parts about £24 + vat from vaux change was so simple my 12 year old apprentice did it for me.

[JamesV6CDX]

I have a new HBV I fitted only the other week

There seems to be a little water in the oil I guess, if there's some mayonnaise? Would explain where the coolant went...

[Timbuk]

Water in oil could be HG. Oil in water will be oil cooler. Any fuel smell from header tank?

[JamesV6CDX]

Oh Sh*% !

I only ever did the heads on a V6 Omega once and swore never again

I'll go out and 'avva sniff in the header tank

[JamesV6CDX]

Right, no fuel smell in the header tank. Just a small residue of sludge on the oil filler.

I guess I'll just monitor it and see what happens...

[TheBoy]

monitor and see what happens, but check daily...

[JasonH]

I think you'll find most Omegas will generate a small amount of mayo on the filler cap. It's a long way up and the engine needs to get real warm to clear it off.

Over the winter even though I tend to do decent length journeys (25+ mile commute on motorways) some mayo appears. After a good long hot run it disappears.

Don't panic, just keep an eye on the fluid levels.

[RonaldMcBurger]

Mayo in the filler cap is NORMAL on Omegas and is the single most mis-diagnosed 'fault' there is.

Take it for a good blast up a dual carriageway at 69mph and then marvel at the amazing disappearing mayo trick by the marvellous Ronnie Mc B.

As quite rightly pointed out above, the design of these lumps creates a certain amount of moisture which is mostly done on short journeys. Ask any independent garage and they'll tell you the head gasket is gone. Hence why I specialise in seeking out cheap Omegas on Ebay with head gasket failure.

Water use is 99% likely to be the HBV. Check urgently before it takes out the DIS pack. £25 for genuien new HBV and a ten minute job to change.

water on dipstick = possible head gasket (99% unheard of)
Toffee in header tank = oil cooler failure (quite common)

[CaptainZok]

Giving away your trade secrets Ron?

[jonny2112]

Just as a matter of interest, is changing the HBV one of those 'preventative maintenance' measures that should be done every so often, or is it a 'fix it if its broke' type job?

[TheBoy]

I only change hbv when busted, but I always keep a spare in garage (when they fail, they can ruin DIS if you leave it for too long)

[JamesV6CDX]

Cheers Guys

My HBV is only a few weeks old so I doubt that's failed, but I'll check. Otherwise I guess it could be a small external leak somewhere...


I had heard that a little mayo in the filler cap is normal, however I was just surprised to see it, as blast my car up a dual carraiageway to work every day at 80mph!

[Matchless]

The engines are supposed to use a little oil so if you havnt checked it for some time it could just be normal oil consumption.
You changed the HBV recently, my guess would be that there was some trapped air which has now escaped which is why the coolant level has dropped.
Mayo on the oil filler cap will form if you do relatively short journeys, it takes time at full temp to evaporate moisture from the oil,  the filler tube is sticking up into the airflow from the radiator so tends to be cooler than the rest of the engine so condensation forms inside it.

I would top everything up to the marks and keep an eye on it but it doesnt sound like there is anything to worry about.

[JamesV6CDX]

WHOOOOOO HOOOOO

I've solved the mystery of the lost coolant!!

I decided to look at it in my lunchbreak today. I looked and felt all around the hoses/coolant connections, RAD, HBV, looked for any signs of it coming out the water pump... even held my hand around the HBV with the engine running....

However, I wiggled the auxiliary coolant pump, and smelt Antifreeze.... I wiggled it again, and saw it dripping!

So - I've got a little split in the pipe just under the Aux coolant pump.

PHEW!

Now I've sorted that and I'm happy it's nothing terminal - I'm going to give her the much overdue cambelt/water pump change, to ensure it keeps me going for the next 10 months of pre-facelift driving.

(According to the history, this cambelt hasn't been changed in over 70k - and the Aux belt is the old type (with the lower aux pulley) and is split to buggery - so I can quite believe it.

Talk about borrowed time .. I'm going to order a kit and watch the DVD once more... and get the toolbox out