My little Omega adventure started 1 month ago. I have an alloy wheel business buying and selling second hand alloys. I needed a large estate and had been looking for an Omega. I nearly bought a diesel auto with a faulty box but it sold before I had the chance. A car came up locally with an interesting history. It was a 1999 CDX Estate with leather and electric sunroof. It had been cherished until the engine siezed at 70mph on the motorway. The guy had loved the car and had bought a warranted 55k replacement engine. He had hired a mobile mechanic and on his driveway, they had removed the siezed engine and fitted a new cambelt kit to the new engine. They'd had some fun as they were following the markers on the belt and not on the pulleys and had done the proceedure twice. He'd also paid for new plugs, and filters. The engine that they had removed had just had a new EGR and DIS module fitted but they hadn't been swapped over. The mechanic had then split with his wife and moved away, leaving the car on the drive. It had sat there for 12 months waiting for work to continue and his wife had had enough.
I visited the house and met with the family and everything seemed ok. We got talking and the guy said that he would be interested in a swap for two sets of rims (One set was a one off). He delivered the car and both engines to my house and work began.
The first job was to switch over all the good parts from the old engine which, with it being out was alot easier until... I dropped a torx head into cylinder 1
However hard I tried, I couldn't get it with a magnetic pick up. Fortunately my next door neighbour works for Cosworth and borrowed an endoscope and we were able to remove the offending item. I checked the cambelt and it was fitted correctly, it just needed the tensioner readjusting. Whilst the engine was out, I inspected the rad which was ok and had a little look at the condensor which seemed to have something sticking out of it. I whipped it out to find a cigarette firmly wedged in the middle. When I removed it, all the fins around it promptly collapsed, so £120 saw a new one fitted in.
So, now it was time to fit. The gearbox was in place as were the cats. I have a 2 tonne hoist, so no probs lifting. However, would it go? Not a chance. My neighbour and I tried, my mate and I tried but it would not go, what ever way we tried. In the process, I managed to nick the front bumper
When everyone had gone home, I tried a different tack. I removed the gearbox and cats and the engine went straight in. I started offering up the plenums, cooling system. I had no instructions as to where the wiring went but it was suprisingly logical.
Next came the arduous task of refitting the gearbox. It was so heavy and I was on my back on a rough tarmac driveway. It took me a day of trying before I worked out a system of fulcrums using a long bar and some tyres. I was able to lever the gearbox sufficiently enough to get a trolley jack under and lever it into place.
So, everything connected and fluids done, I turned the key and... nothing. Earth checked, battery checked and found to be knackered. Take two, with new battery fitted and ... nothing. A few posts on here and some help from Theboy and a faulty starter motor was the problem. I managed to drop the hoist on my leg and take a huge chunk out whilst doing it. Also, I had coolant pouring out the rear of the block. New starter motor in and still no starting, so I checked the spark. It was there and there was fuel. I turned the key and let it turn over until finally, she started. She was leaking coolant everywhere but she was running. I got under the car to try and find the leak but no joy, just getting spattered in the face. I'd had enough and took her up to the local garage. They couldn't find it either and reckoned the gearbox would need to come out. Just then the mechanic said that there was a bolt missing from the coolant pipe. I could barely feel it but he managed to do it. This is the only part I haven't done myself. We did a cursory for the MOT and it needs two new tyres (bought today), a replacement brake pipe and rear pads (also bought today).
I've now just got the brakes to sort and she's booked for MOT Monday.I am worried about emissions and the possibility of a wheel bearing (Although they have been recently done). I cleaned her for the first time and stood back and admired my handywork. So was it worth it?
Well, I now have a car with a 55k engine, new cambelt, EGR, DIS waterpump and just serviced. It has a history, leather sunroof, built in phone, dualzone climate. If it passes its MOT, it'll stand me at just £300. What on earth could I buy for that money? I just hope it passes its MOT. I am really looking forward to driving it! Looking at it after I just cleaned it, I can definitely say it has been worth it. 8-)
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Topic: Was it worth it? (Read 2505 times)