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[fcc-pt]

Hi,

So my omega needs a NEW engine OR rebuilt.
The main problem is the lack of proper professionals!
I need some guidance here...
What shall I do?

X30XE with 200.000 Kms badly maintained by previous owner 

[Doctor Gollum]

Fit a known good 3.0/3.0 using your existing sensors and wiring

[biggriffin]

Fit a known good 3.0/3.0 using your existing sensors and wiring

I think finding an engine in his Homeland might be difficult,  I think there might be a couple at sereks, but that's a bit of a road trip to hoof'land 

[neil74]

I have thought about fitting a 3.0/3.2 or better still a V8  to my car as i miss the extra grunt that my previous 3.2 had. because even half decent 3.2 estates are rather thin on the ground.


Cheers
Neil.

[Doctor Gollum]

Fit a known good 3.0/3.0 using your existing sensors and wiring

I think finding an engine in his Homeland might be difficult,  I think there might be a couple at sereks, but that's a bit of a road trip to hoof'land 

Sintra/Vectra C would also work

[TheBoy]

Fit a known good 3.0/3.0 using your existing sensors and wiring

I think finding an engine in his Homeland might be difficult,  I think there might be a couple at sereks, but that's a bit of a road trip to hoof'land 

Sintra/Vectra C would also work

Same applies, we have access to cheap replacements in the UK, because 2nd hand Vauxhall prices are so low.

[fcc-pt]

I know a company that will take me 2400€ and rebuilt it with 2 years warranty! But honestly I feel the need to start some cool project! Maybe I will strip it down myself and rebuilt it, I have no idea what it will be seriously! If I had the technical engine manual... with parts clearances and tighten details etc that would encourage me!

Only taking the engine out will be a monumental task without the proper tools
Then strip everything apart and tag all the wire plugs etc.. do not know?!?

The engine is a bit tired, I can see that and it drives hot too I can listen the fan all the time, I also can see oil on the water so I'm sure that the oil cooler is gone. If I take it to a shop I'm screwed for good! So, not sure what to do but "if" I do it myself I need to go with an extreme low budget engine rebuild.

[fcc-pt]

I can consider send all the parts to machine shop.

What can I expect to be repaired on a situation like this one?
Will I need to replace rings, pistons, bore the cylinders?!?
Let me know what you guys would do.

[Doctor Gollum]

Most places would strip it down, assess what need replacing and go from there.

Stripping it yourself and sending various parts off for refurbishment will probably leave you with a worse engine than you have.

Run a compression test before doing anything as that will confirm the actual health of the engine 

[biggriffin]

Last time I enquired, GM still had some recons at £1900. Exchange.

[Nick W]

Nothing you have posted about your engine suggests that it needs a rebuild. Some proper diagnosis and overdue maintenance while you're at it should sort your issues.


And even if the engine is a bit tired, it will still be perfectly good for daily use.

[Enceladus]

I agree. The GM 54° V6 were all built in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. All variants are very robust and are easily good for 200k-300k miles or more. The engine will very likely outlast the rest of the car.

However they all have similar issues which are not unique to GM engines. Leaking cam cover seals, blocked crankcase breathers, failed ignition modules/coil packs, failed crank angle sensors and the like. All of these problems afflict cars of the same vintage and sometimes are a PITA to repair. Actual excessive wear requiring an engine rebuild is unusual even after abuse, total failure is usually the result of the cam shaft timing belt snapping.

I would start with a basic compression test. If the engine passes then it is likely viable to repair. Whatever about the rest of the car.

[fcc-pt]

I will take the spark plugs and make the compression test myself where can I buy one? Or the parts? What does involve make a compression test on this engine?

1) disable fuel pump
2) disable ignition system
3) take off each spark plugs
4) attach compression reader on each cylinder
5) crank the engine till read won't move

??

[Doctor Gollum]

Buy a compression tester from a tool store/eBay and follow the instructions 

[fcc-pt]

This guy has told me pretty much everything

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgrfT0LFMhc

[Doctor Gollum]

I have one of these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gunson-G4101-HI-GAUGE-COMPRESSION-TESTER-/360334829307

But others are available 

[fcc-pt]

I'll do both tests compression / leakage 

[Nick W]

Theoretically a leak down test is more useful than a compression test but it does require more, expensive equipment. Practically a compression test will let you diagnose bad cylinder sealing and you can infer poor valve sealing from the results. All this takes is a £20 gauge and a little oil if the readings are low. Which is why most people just do everybody does compression tests.


When you make the test, ensure that the engine won't start, crank it for a similar amount of time for each cylinder, and do it with the throttle open. The precise numbers aren't particularly important as good covers a wide range, but you do want all six to be close.

[Jan Suhr]

I would keep it for parts and buy another one.

Currently listed in Germany:
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/search.html?categories=EstateCar&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&fuels=PETROL&isSearchRequest=true&makeModelVariant1.makeId=19000&makeModelVariant1.modelId=20&maxCubicCapacity=3300&maxPowerAsArray=PS&minCubicCapacity=2900&minPowerAsArray=PS&scopeId=C&sfmr=false&usage=USED

[fcc-pt]

If I could get a 0 km engine that would be awesome

[Doctor Gollum]

If I could get a 0 km engine that would be awesome

You can from Opel UK cost is £1,900 (or cheaper than 4 VW diesel injectors) 

[fcc-pt]

How come?

[Doctor Gollum]

How come?

You walk in, ask for price and availability and they check the stock. If they have one they will tell you the price and that it will be two days from Germany.

If you ask really nicely, they might even fit it for you 

If you meant why they have stock, it's because they haven't sold all the spare ones yet 

[fcc-pt]

WOW that's how it's done in UK but here in Portugal I'm sure it's not possible!
But if it could be done well, I would like to keep this car in family for the next 10 years or so and after that maybe retire it and convert it in a classic if I could afford to keep it in mint state.

[Doctor Gollum]

WOW that's how it's done in UK but here in Portugal I'm sure it's not possible!
But if it could be done well, I would like to keep this car in family for the next 10 years or so and after that maybe retire it and convert it in a classic if I could afford to keep it in mint state.

That's your job for tomorrow sorted

[biggriffin]

If I could get a 0 km engine that would be awesome

You can from Opel UK cost is £1,900 (or cheaper than 4 VW diesel injectors) 

That was about 2-3 years ago, and was exchange, probably be nearer £2000 now,  also they were gmx units.  Which I think we're done in Ellesmere.

[Doctor Gollum]

Apparently no longer available from Vauxhall, but I was dealing with a retard. Needed reg or chassis number, gearbox and engine ident code. Gave him a 3.2 reg and computer said no.

Take your car to your nearest Opel dealer and ask

[fcc-pt]

There is no local Opel dealer,actually Opel drooped so must in labor costs that right now deliver client support to a big shop that does work with major brands such as Toyota, Chevrolet, Opel, Seat and so on called "Auto Industrial". Basically they change parts and do a awe full work. I've a budget for engine repair around 5500€ made by them, can you believe that?!?