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[Doctor Gollum]

Everything that goes wrong, and it's only a handful of things, happens between 80-120k miles.

With this car, I cannot help but think that instead of worrying about what a model that will never exist might be called, time and effort might have been better spent actively researching the common issues and how best to approach them... and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the next thing we here about is that it's up for sale because this fantastic garage wants £1,500 to change the wishbones

Don't get me wrong, I probably spent £2,500 on my plod one over the 175k/seven years I had it for, but after 275k, it had never needed an oil cooler... as for Vauxhall service schedules, 

Oil and filter every 10k, (5k if you're bored or do alot of short journeys), plugs, air and pollen filter every 20k, coolant every 2 years/40k and cambelt every 4 years regardless.

I would suggest that your car has been mechanically neglected and that you are now paying the price.

[Doctor Gollum]

Both of those items would have been evident from the coolant loss and oil in the header tank... which a quick search would have told you... (hbv would have quickly been ruled out as they either leak or don't according to heater settings).

And you can see the thermostat with nothing more than a torch and the bonnet open

[Pmacca2000]

I don't think the oil cooler has a predicted service life but is known as a weak point in the engine design.
I was a bit surprised the water pump was failing given the car has enjoyed a near 200 mile a year between services but I was able to sort it with Wilbury help

[Kevin Wood]

Oil coolers fail due to poor coolant maintenance, generally. You have several dissimilar metals in contact there - iron block, Ali cooler plate and a stainless steel cooler. The corrosion inhibitors in the coolant need to be in good order to prevent problems.

[Pmacca2000]

The coolant level and quality have all been maintained to VX specification although the leaking thermostat gasket won't have helped despite taking her in promptly.
The good news is that I will have her back about Friday/ Saturday

[2boxerdogs]

Changed the oil in mine every year approx 10,000 miles pa I think 20,000 is far too many,  coolant twice in the five years I had it, filters I did twice (air & pollen) easy job. Never used for short trips so no mayo problems , never had to top the oil up between services,always used fully synthetic. Timing belt was done when I purchased it and again not long before I sold it .

[Doctor Gollum]

Hopefully for the time it has taken the breathers have been cleaned out along with all the gunge from the failed cooler

Coolant loss is probably what killed the water pump as they don't take long to cook the bearings once the level drops...

[2boxerdogs]

If all the work has been done properly on the car in this post all that needs doing is regular services, which considering the amount spent on repairs will be cheap as chips . The only downside is you will probably get fed up with it like I did  & get yourself a V8 of some description. 😉

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

If you didn't have oil in your coolant, then you didn't have a split oil cooler.

[Doctor Gollum]

If you didn't have oil in your coolant, then you didn't have a split oil cooler.

You wouldn't be suggesting that the passenger side head gasket has failed would you? That would be outrageous

 

[Nick W]

We clearly have different perspectives on the phrases "looking after" and "sensible money"...

The OP does sound like a perfect customer.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

If you didn't have oil in your coolant, then you didn't have a split oil cooler.

You wouldn't be suggesting that the passenger side head gasket has failed would you? That would be outrageous

 

I'm suggesting that the garage may possibly have very big windows. 

[2boxerdogs]

If you didn't have oil in your coolant, then you didn't have a split oil cooler.

You wouldn't be suggesting that the passenger side head gasket has failed would you? That would be outrageous

 

I'm suggesting that the garage may possibly have very big windows. 

.   




It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the final bill , to see how many hours have been spent repairing the vehicle & what the labour charges are per hour.

[Pmacca2000]

In its 120,000 mile life it's had two sets of cam cover gaskets and regular servicing, even being recovered to Wilbury three and a half years ago after it had spent two years in the garage and the cam belt had exceeded its service life.
There was no research into buying the omega as I adopted it for sentimental reasons from my Dad and I have spent time, money and blood bringing her back to show room condition were until recently she enjoyed a 200 miles a year existence coming out on the few sunny summer days.

Now pressed into regular use there have been mechanical issues, the unuseual robling from cold and loss of coolant lead me th believe the water pump was failing so she's been at Wilbury for two weeks.
There had been little change in the oil level and it wasn't near minimum so I'm assuming failed about the time the water pump began to break up.

[Doctor Gollum]

Fair dos re the sentimental connection  It will alter the budget boundaries somewhat...

Main dealer service schedules leave a lot to be desired, assuming they actually carry out the work in the first place. Two sets of camcovers in 120k is alot, and suggests breather blockage issues

The research point is as much about identifying problems from the symptoms... was there any evidence of oil in the coolant for example?