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Author Topic: Omega Service Intervals - Part 1  (Read 20059 times)

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Markjay

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Omega Service Intervals - Part 1
« on: 11 July 2006, 22:58:02 »

Engine Oil and Filter - service intervals

Vauxhall say: up to model year 1999 every 10,000 miles, from 2000 - every 20,000 miles, or one year whichever comes first. This is assuming ‘ideal’ driving conditions.
4500 miles for 2.5TD!

We say: Vauxhall’s ‘ideal’ driving conditions do not exist… change oil and filter every 5,000 miles under ‘normal’ driving conditions, or 3,000 miles if the vehicle is used mainly for short journeys. Frequent oil and filter changes are the single most important factor affecting engine’s reliability and service life.
3000 miles max for 2.5TD

Engine Oil - type

Vauxhall say: Semi-synthetic or Full-synthetic with any of the following viscosities, depending on external temperatures:
0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40

We say: Best bet is Vauxhall own-brand Semi-synthetic 10W-40. This is a low cost and high quality oil which, with frequent oil changes, will keep your Omega engine going forever.

You can also opt for any good brand full-synthetic oil 10W-40 or 5W-40, or Vauxhall new Super-synthetic 5W-30.


Manual Transmission Fluid

Vauxhall say: no specified fluid change for manual transmission – suggesting the fluid should good for the life of the vehicle.

We say: TBA

Note that the fluid used by Vauxhall is reddish and very similar in appearance to ATF – which is why we recommend that in the event of changing manual transmission fluid the correct Vauxhall product is used. There are three different types of fluid specified by Vauxhall depending on the manufacture date.


Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

Vauxhall say: Automatic transmission oil change is required every 60,000 miles or six years, but only under ‘extreme’ operating conditions i.e. when towing of when using the car as a taxi.

We say: change fluid anyway at 40,000 to 60,000 miles / six years, regardless of operating conditions.

Also, a change of transmission fluid (and either cleaning or replacing the filter) is the first port of call when dealing with ANY sort of automatic transmission problems – you will be surprised how many boxes were revived by this simple measure after having been written-off by main dealers…  

Vauxhall own ATF is quite expensive, you can use any good-brand full-synthetic ATF but it MUST be to Dexron III spec.

 
Power assisted Steering (PAS) Fluid

There is no scheduled interval for PAS fluid change, but if it needs topping up then the correct fluid is ATF Dexron II. For some reason Vauxhall say that Dexron III should NOT be used for PAS, only Dexron II.


Engine Coolant

Conventional coolant (green/blue)

Vauxhall say: Vehicles up to model year 2000 were supplied with conventional engine coolant, which should be replaced every two years.

We say: Every two years, and you will not be doing the engine any harm if you change the coolant every year.

Also, the cooling system should be flushed using one of several methods which you will find detailed elsewhere in this forum – ranging from very mild for vehicles where the system is in good condition to quite violent and aggressive methods for older/dirtier systems…

Silicate Free / Long Life coolant (red/orange)

Vauxhall say: Later models where supplied with Long Life engine coolant. Vauxhall specify that this type of coolant is good for the life of the vehicle and does not need replacing – ever… (but on the coolant container itself it says that it should be replaced every five years).

Vauxhall also say that the long-life coolant can be retro-fitted to older vehicles, providing that the cooling system is thoroughly drained and flushed.

We say: The long-life coolant is better than the standard one because it provides improved anti-corrosion protection of the alloy heads, but either way it should be replaced frequently and the cooling system should be flushed.

You can use either Vauxhall’s own-brand coolant, or any other good brand product.


Brake Fluid

Vauxhall say: Change very two years regardless of mileage.

We say: yes…

You can use any good-brand DOT4 brake fluid.


Spark Plugs

Vauxhall say: Petrol engines 2.0 / 2.5 / 3.0 – every 40,000 miles or four years. Petrol engines 2.2 / 2.6 / 3.2 – every 80,000 miles or eight years.

We say: The spark plugs will probably last that long…. But they will deteriorate. For the cost of a set of spark plugs (around £3 each) and the hour or so it takes to replace them – don’t wait for 40,000 or 80,000 miles. The actual replacement interval is down to the individual owner.

Vauxhall own-brand spark plugs (made by Bosch) are very good and represent best value for money, we do not recommend using other brand of spark plugs on the Omega.


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« Last Edit: 01 March 2010, 14:33:07 by jimbob »
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Markjay

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Omega Service Intervals - Part 2
« Reply #1 on: 11 July 2006, 22:59:16 »

Cambelt (Petrol Engines)
 
Vauxhall say: Cambelt and tensioner need to be replaced every 40,000 miles or four years on early models, and every 80,000 miles or eight years on later models. But then they said: Ooops, sorry, we shouldn’t have increased the change interval to 80,000 miles / eight years, please ignore this and change at 40,000 miles or four years on ALL Omega models regardless of model year.
 
We say: every 40,000 miles or four years, not a mile more or a day longer, and actually there have been reports of tensioners failing earlier than this so err on the side of caution.  
 
And if you just bought the car, get the cambelt and tensioner replaced as a matter of course. In the past we used to say that if you have written proof i.e. garage bill showing that both the cambelt and tensiomer were replaced by the precious owner, you should be OK - but we have since seen several examples of cases where the invoice said as much but in fact the tensioner was NOT changed… So take no chances.
 
In case we haven’t mentioned it, the result of a tensioner failure is pretty much a wrecked engine – and for older models this means that the car goes straight to the scrappies.
 
Vauxhall own camblet and tensioner kits are quite good, though you can get some good-quality after-market low-cost kits from the likes of Gates or Conti – but if buying a non-Vauxhall kit we suggest that you check this forum for advise regarding the specific kit you intend to buy.

 
V-Belt (Auxiliary Belt)
 
Vauxhall say: well they don’t, actually… There is no specified change interval for the auxiliary belt, other than regular inspections and changing if brittle or damaged.

We say: TBA

Any good-brand belt of the correct spec will do.


Air Filter

Vauxhall say: every four years or 40,000 miles.

We say: for the cost of a tenner or so and the 5 minutes it takes to replace it, just get it done once a year and don’t risk running the engine with a semi-clogged air filter…


Pollen Filter

Vauxhall say: every two years or 20,000 miles.

We say: yes…


Fuel Filter

Vauxhall say: every two years

We say: yes – but we noticed that owners tend to neglect this because of its awkward location – under the vehicle at the rear. If you replace the fuel filter every two years you should be fine, but if you don’t know when it was last replaced then get it changed as a matter of course – we had reports of cars that have been transformed by this simple maintenance job.



« Last Edit: 12 July 2006, 11:35:22 by markjay »
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Markjay

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Omega Service Intervals - more
« Reply #2 on: 11 July 2006, 23:26:51 »

A few notes regarding the posts above:
 
1. The format is ‘Vauxhall say’ vs ‘We say’ so that readers know what the manufacturer’s spec is, and what our views are.
 
2. I have used the phrase ‘We say’ and not ‘I say’ for a reason. I did not intend for this post to reflect my own personal views, instead it is intended to provide service information to new Omega owners based on the general view of the resident members. Please feel free to make comments or amendments to the advice provided.
 
 
« Last Edit: 12 July 2006, 11:35:57 by markjay »
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