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[paul_g]

Hello i am getting fed of of my 2.2 02 plate omega . Head was done four years ago now have a major coolant leak  from rear of engine i have done the hbv a few months ago now this . Ot also has a missfire when gets up to normal temp . I have spent a £1000 on my car in the last few years now just at wits end with it any advice would be nice as it is a car when it is running nice it has done 130 000 miles i would not like to scrap it . But may have to

[4x4]

Get a sniff test done,head gasket isnt to bad to do,if youve spent only £1000 over the past few years ,its still cheaper to get head sorted than to buy another car with unknown faults.

[paul_g]

Just been out to her and run up to temp now get steem coming out of oil filler cap and out of exhust going to a garage on tuesday

[paul_g]

I have had the head one once when i got the car had all brake pipes done new exhust full front to back new brake s . So do not realy want to spend on having head done again will have to be done at the garage as dont have knowledge on how to do head or the time

[serek]

How much your garage will charge you to get hg replace Include scimming?

[ted_one]

Then why not try Darth loo-knee (Daz) he's in Stoke On Trent or Elite Pete who's a little further north or even Serek down in Huntingdon....all members on here and all very capable of sorting your car at reasonable rates.

[the alarming man]

I think a garage quoted me £550 for a h/g on a 2.2.....

[paul_g]

A friend did it the first time had it skimmed too only cost me the bits for it will have to find out on monday or tuesday car is in for a inspection then

[paul_g]

I live in derby . I have been offered another omega but on a w plate with 92000 mile so will see what the garage will charge
e

[robson]

can a head be skimmed twice

[paul_g]

I am hoping so will find out when the car go's in

[paul_g]

Car now at the garage thay are looking at it in morning but when o dropes it off he say it looks like the head gaskit has gone . So will find out more tomorrow night when i go back . Thanks fpr all your advice on this for now  . Will post on here when i know .

[Steve B]

Car now at the garage thay are looking at it in morning but when o dropes it off he say it looks like the head gaskit has gone . So will find out more tomorrow night when i go back . Thanks fpr all your advice on this for now  . Will post on here when i know .

[paul_g]

Car now in the garage he says looks like the head gaskit is blown so will find out tomorrow when he has had a look at it .so its looking like a new omega for me .

[Temetsy]

Blown HG on four pot is a dead easy job so don't give up! I adviced a friend of mine through a HG replacement on a v6 and I just rented my v6 timing kit to a guy that did both HGs and has NEVER changed anything before to a car but new wheels   Get a case of beer and a free weekend for just you and your iron missy and you'll live happily ever after

[paul_g]

Thanks for that .this will be the second time i have had the head done . Won't know until tomorrow

[Temetsy]

Is your car's cooling working properly? Running too hot might destroy head gasket very fast

[PhilRich]

Car now at the garage thay are looking at it in morning but when o dropes it off he say it looks like the head gaskit has gone . So will find out more tomorrow night when i go back . Thanks fpr all your advice on this for now  . Will post on here when i know .

A 'Real' Mechanic i.e. one who actually knows his arse from his elbow AND can actually give a f***, would fully inspect the car first, not make a half arsed throwaway judgement when you've just dropped the car off!
My youngest lad has just finished doing the head gasket on my old 2.2 cdx (under my supervision as i'm no longer fit enough bodily) & the parts cost iro £60 plus new oil & coolant. The job took two days at an easy pace. The Head may not even need skimming! If it does, it should only cost around £45 including all new studs & nuts. As for the question, 'can the head be skimmed twice'? It depends entirely on how much was taken off last time + whatever is needed this time (if any). Vauxhall say the head should not be skimmed - end of! The Head measurement iirc is supposed to be 134mm between both planed surfaces and 1mm = approx 40 thousandths of an inch should be the absolute maximum taken off a 2.2 Omega head in my experience.

[SIR Philbutt]

The two times I have had a H/G go, removing the plugs and looking into cylinder (with a light) easily showed water present on top of the cylinder. Dipping also showed the same.

My recent exploits with a missfire clicky turned out to be a inlet vacuum problem, which I eventually traced to decayed gasket between the EGR manifold and the head.

This is at the back of the head where there is also coolant (and the temp guage sensor)

Get a mirror and torch and look/feel around there before removing the head

HTH
Phil

[paul_g]

Thanks i had to put the wire back on the temp plug a few months ago .it is now in hands of the garage . Thay will let me know by dinner time tomorrow . Thay have said if thay do the head it will be £600. Plus

[Steve B]

Did you read posts 4 & 5 

[paul_g]

Yes i have i will pay someone other than a garage to do it if cheaper i will help but can only do weekends as i say just have to wait until the garage tells me . When i was running it on tick over there was steam coming out of thr oil filler cap when removed and mayo just starting to form on it .

[symes]

not being funny but leak could be inlet manifold or maybe a crack in head that opens when hot

[Temetsy]

It is normal to get some steam when you remove filler cap from a hot/running engine. And mayo is formed to the cap when you drive short trips so condension water mixes with breathing fumes and forms mayo on filler cap

[symes]

It is normal to get some steam when you remove filler cap from a hot/running engine. And mayo is formed to the cap when you drive short trips so condension water mixes with breathing fumes and forms mayo on filler cap

mainly on v6 not so much on four

[paul_g]

I was wondering if it is a crack in the head . There is also a smell of fuel in the header tank to . This is also pressure riseing too . It runns smoothly when cold then miss fires . And loosing coolang .. when warm

[symes]

maybe inlet then?-easier to check than head eh mate---isnt inlet water cooled? cant remember-been ages since I touched one-if  it is then leak there could allow water and fuel to mix---no ?

[paul_g]

When looking at it there is water pipes going to it but it may be the auto choke or i may be wrong as not that good with stuf like that . Only know the basics . Thanks to all your help and advice is more the welcome 

[symes]

if top rad hose balloons up when engine hot--could be head or wrong gasket--ie cheap pattern one

[paul_g]

When the head was done about four years ago i got genuine parts  just dont know what to do with it at the moment    as i love the car when it is running nice its like new smooth 

[symes]

yep know what you mean-four pot handles better-imho  and easier to work on too

[paul_g]

Thats the best bit about it loads of room in engine bay  if its to bad i will get a 2000 2.2 model and brake mine for spaires or sell as spaires or repair . I am fed up as this is our families only car and has been a good work horse . Take us on camping trips with the trailer tent and tows that no problem as if its not on the back . Just have to wait until i get word from the garage tomrow . He is saying it will not be worth doing the head cheaper to get another car .

[symes]

cheaper to get another engine-than car-keep throttle body from original engine---saves programming on tech 2--if drive by wire--and engine change isnt hard on a four pot-try a v6 att winter outside--i did--but im nuts

[paul_g]

Lol could do . Been offered one for 800 for car and same colour as mine but on a w plate 

[symes]

fair play-just thought engine be a lot cheaper than £800+whatever that one needs

[paul_g]

Thats what i am worried about but owner live around the corner from me and has a lot of paper work with it on things he has had done plus service regularly .it has done 92000 been told that 2.2 is common to have head go at 96000 and this is what i dont want to go through again . 

[symes]

well mate only you can decide--mines on 256287 at moment-it a v6

[paul_g]

Well car is back from the garage and its been confirmed the head has gone . Thay have said 600 to fix so not bothering having it done will get another car and sell it as spaires or repair later hen i have removed  the toe bar. Thanks for all of your help and advice .

[Shackeng]

As advised earlier you have of course checked prices with Serek & Daz?

[paul_g]

I have not asked them yet . I am picking the new mig  on Saturday

[SandBoy]

Hope you get sorted and sorry to jump on your post .....but.....peeps know I have had quite a bit done on my 2.2CD,it is now clunking on the front (ordered new drop links) and also been told back coil spring has gone,had several "know it alls" work on the car over the last few years ......anyway,long story short.....I am thinking of getting hold of the guy in Huntingdon serck I think? (50 minutes from me ) and seeing if he will take the car with a decent budget to get it back right,love the motor and dont really want to get rid

[paul_g]

I am in the same mind just fed up of spending money on it

[SandBoy]

Like has been said previously,if you can get it up to scratch,you will still have a nice comfortable motor.
Local mechanic once said to me,you can spend £500 on the Omega and still have a decent car,what are you going to get for £500??......true I suppose,better to spend on something you know than one you don't!!

[paul_g]

Thats true getting another omega for now then mey just get mine fixed later . Just need a car for work asap 

[Steve B]

Thats true getting another omega for now then mey just get mine fixed later . Just need a car for work asap 

Are you gonna get that other 2.2 with 92 000 on the clock 

[symes]

Thats true getting another omega for now then mey just get mine fixed later . Just need a car for work asap 

Are you gonna get that other 2.2 with 92 000 on the clock 

my thinking exactly---why i said engine ot to be easier/cheaper--especially if someone here does job -i would but derby bit far for me

[Steve B]

Thats true getting another omega for now then mey just get mine fixed later . Just need a car for work asap 

Are you gonna get that other 2.2 with 92 000 on the clock 

my thinking exactly---why i said engine ot to be easier/cheaper--especially if someone here does job -i would but derby bit far for me

The answer to his problem is in post 4 

[05omegav6]

The cost of the replacement, plus anything that car needs will cost more than fixing yours, both in time and money...

Even hiring a Corsa from Enterprise for a week whilst your current car is repaired will be cheaper in the long run...

[paul_g]

Yes i am as need a car for work then think about what to do with mine

[05omegav6]

Yes i am as need a car for work then think about what to do with mine

See my last

[paul_g]

Thinking that but desperate having to get here and there .the garage has said it is not worth doing . Will keep it and work on getting it fixed will use the other one for now  .

[Steve B]

Thinking that but desperate having to get here and there .the garage has said it is not worth doing . Will keep it and work on getting it fixed will use the other one for now  .

Well i am afraid to say your garage is Wrong

[05omegav6]

Thinking that but desperate having to get here and there .the garage has said it is not worth doing . Will keep it and work on getting it fixed will use the other one for now  .

Well i am afraid to say your garage is Wrong

+1

Fixing is cheaper than replacing... I would suggest booking it in with either Daz or Serek. Daz is nearer, but Serek might have better availability. Then book a hire car to meet you at where you get it repaired.

That way you remain mobile and your original car gets fixed. And with less hassle/cost than getting a second car, (which will also cost you money in the short term).

Oh, and don't use the garage who said it's not worth it, as they will take your money and bodge it.

[paul_g]

Thanks for your advice i have phoned a frend who helped me fix it the first time and he has said he will fixit for me just have to get parts he is coming up from london to see it in a week so fingers crossed all will be ok 

[Steve B]

yes  Fingers crossed 

[05omegav6]

Nice one

If it becomes undriveable in the meantime then simply rent a small runaround... that way you have no insurance/tax complications

p.s. this just reminded me, if you buy a replacement car, then you also need to budget for taxing it

[paul_g]

Yes taxing it is not a problem as i get disabled tax for my mum  . It is only drivable on short distance about 3 mile then just cuts out with the missfire  :

[05omegav6]

Ok, don't drive it too far until its sorted

[Shackeng]

Thanks for your advice i have phoned a frend who helped me fix it the first time and he has said he will fixit for me just have to get parts he is coming up from london to see it in a week so fingers crossed all will be ok 

Just so I'm clear on this, would this be the friend who fixed a blown head gasket on the car that, possibly, has another blown head gasket?

[05omegav6]

Thanks for your advice i have phoned a frend who helped me fix it the first time and he has said he will fixit for me just have to get parts he is coming up from london to see it in a week so fingers crossed all will be ok 

Just so I'm clear on this, would this be the friend who fixed a blown head gasket on the car that, possibly, has another blown head gasket?

Got to be better than the garage who don't think it worth it

[Shackeng]

Thanks for your advice i have phoned a frend who helped me fix it the first time and he has said he will fixit for me just have to get parts he is coming up from london to see it in a week so fingers crossed all will be ok 

Just so I'm clear on this, would this be the friend who fixed a blown head gasket on the car that, possibly, has another blown head gasket?

Got to be better than the garage who don't think it worth it

We hope!

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Without wanting to bring heat into this, I of course sympathise with anyone with a dear, loved or special car, which isn't running right. (I've got one myself, laid up in the drive so trust me, I know)

The question is 'help, car broken, what do I do?' the answer, unanimously, as far as I can see, is 'get it fixed - properly. And here's some OOFers who will do it'

I appreciate you're trying to do exactly this, but I have a funny feeling in my coolant that this guy, nomatter how decent, well-meaning or how long you've known, him might not be the 'fresh pair' of eyes you need.

Thanks for your advice i have phoned a frend who helped me fix it the first time and he has said he will fixit for me just have to get parts he is coming up from london to see it in a week so fingers crossed all will be ok 

Just so I'm clear on this, would this be the friend who fixed a blown head gasket on the car that, possibly, has another blown head gasket?

Got to be better than the garage who don't think it worth it

Worried that the logic of one replacing a not-very-competent mechanic with a one only moderately more competent isn't quite right. In actuality, even doing it yourself, with no experience, but with the backup and advice, and step-by-step help of the people on here would be preferable to the either mechanics above. It is a job anyone can do. If you and your mate do this job I would suggest please, please, put the advice of the people on here above all else. We'll get you through it, but if there's a contradiction between what your mate thinks and the guys on here, I'd say trust the OOFers every time. Never let me down in 5+ years.

I truly hope it gets sorted soon, wish you the best of luck and hope you're in this Omega for years to come; but most importantly, that it gets sorted right. Measure twice, cut once, so to speak. 

[SandBoy]

This thread has made MY mind up....nearly!!   .......Goldie stays and gets "nursed" by an OOFER when budget allows.......the chances of getting another decent car for less than fixing aint gonna happen......having said that someone was selling a 53 plate diesel with FSH and a years MOT for £450 round here the other day......mmmmm.....what to do....keep what I know or......?

[Diamond Black Geezer]

It's like women, there's always the odd prettier model every now and then which could tempt you, but I say stick with what you know 

And also, though FSH is great, my Turbo Weasel hasn't had any 'Vauxhall' or 'garage' service history for 7 years, but I know it's been serviced to death by myself and the old man, regular oil changes, etc.. stuff from scrappys, found in the garage or even off OOF don't come with receipts, so there's no paper trail. So Full Service History doesn't automatically mean that's a better car.

Delighted you're sticking with her!!!

For me, personally, I don't mind having an 18 year old that insists I play with her underneath parts to make her purr, most evenings 

[SandBoy]

It's like women, there's always the odd prettier model every now and then which could tempt you, but I say stick with what you know 
For me, personally, I don't mind having an 18 year old that insists I play with her underneath parts to make her purr, most evenings 

Love it.....