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196

Omega General Help / Re: General help please.

« on: 12 April 2007, 21:40:27 »

Mine is a 97 and has the stainless one still going strong - touch wood  

It has had coolant changed every two years though, even the HBV diaphram looks as good as new. I don't think you can overstress just how important the coolant condition is to these engines.

Nice going on the maintenance there then rpont and I agree, coolant condition seems to be vital just as regular oil / filter changes!  As an aside, I like your avatar - what is the cat's name?

It is interesting to note what Markjay has to say about his cooler - luckily his car was under warranty at the time.

197

Omega General Help / Re: General help please.

« on: 12 April 2007, 15:13:37 »

Very nice motor and for a good price to...

As said by jonathanh, but I would clean the breathers (easy job - see the Maintenance Guides section in this forum) as a matter of course rather than wait for the cam covers to start leaking. And since frequent oil changes are vital to keeping the breathers clean, an oil change might not be bad idea unless you know when it was last done. Then keep changing the oil every 3-5k, not 10k as Vx say...

A general service would not go amiss either - air filter (easy), pollen filter (easy), fuel filter (you'll have to crawl under the car for that)...

Also, check the coolant level - there are various reasons for coolant leaks, so make sure that yours does not need constant topping-up.

As with regards to coolant, the V6 has an oil cooler buried in the engine block, and this tends to corrode and leak if not using the right coolant and changing frequently. I suggest you get fresh Red antifreeze and change the coolant, possibly with a good flush before that - again instructions in the Maintenance Guides section. Easy job, only one tap to open and no hoses to undo, but it is time consuming as it requires repeated flushing for best results.

Enjoy....


EDIT: x25xe you were 1:30m minute faster than me!  

Glad that what I said was not total rubbish.  Forgot the real basics though, like fuel, air and pollen filter.

198

Omega General Help / Re: General help please.

« on: 12 April 2007, 12:46:37 »

From the picture, a nice tidy car and a good price!  Hope you enjoy it for some time to come.  Welcome to the forum by the way.

In addition to the above (and I fully agree about fuel bills!) what I would look for / keep an eye on is this:

1. Does the car have any history  Has the coolant been changed regularly?  This is important to help prevent any problems with the oil cooler leaking oil into the coolant.
2. Does the coolant in the expansion tank - a. look clean and b. have a nice strong mixture of antifreeze?
3. If points 1 and 2 are negative then change the coolant ASAP using the vauxhall long life "red" antifreeze.  I is not expensive at the main dealer.
4. Be wary of the Heater Bypass Valve (at the back of the engine) leaking.  Keep a firm eye of the coolant level to detect it early.  If left leaking too long, the ignition coil will be put in danger.
5. Scuttle drains - keep these clear.
6. Give the car regular oil / filter changes say every 3K.  No need to use Mobile 1 or similar, the oil from Vauxhall is highly recommended and is a great deal cheaper too!

Hope this helps and enjoy the car.  They are very nice comfortable cruisers.

199

Omega General Help / Re: what does the Elite have...

« on: 12 April 2007, 11:22:15 »

The sill covers are also body coloured on the Elite - the CDX has black covers.  Elite also has the self dipping rear view mirror and memory seats / mirrors which includes the rear view mirror.

My CDX is virtually an Elite as it has leather and the electric pack, giving it the mirror, memory seats and heated rear seat.  I also have an electric blind "in stock" which I intend to fit at some time.

200

Omega General Help / Re: Steering Wheel Wobble

« on: 03 April 2007, 09:01:36 »

For Ball Joint Splitters, take a look here: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/ball+joint/page/1

I ordered one yesterday as I have to do this very job myself as a result of an MOT failure.  That, coupled with a track rod end and exhaust.  

The ones that work with a hammer are not very good IMO - it takes a lot of hammer action before the joint comes apart.

201

Omega General Help / Re: MOT Failure - an update and a question

« on: 10 April 2007, 19:06:22 »

I will give the titanium bits a go then.

I did start off with a centre punch (you cannot seem to get automatic ones any more) but the drill bit is just not making any progress.  I reckon that it will be about ½ hour per bolt!!

Unfortunately, progress will be slowed down somewhat as I now have to go away this weekend.  

Will keep you posted on the progress with the exhaust and idler

202

Omega General Help / Re: MOT Failure - an update and a question

« on: 10 April 2007, 16:48:25 »

Many thanks for the further advice.

Mark, thanks for reassuring me about the cats.  I did think they would have to stand engine / road vibration but was worried about the constant drilling.........  I have not ground the other side of the stud which I will do before attempting again.  I hope that the studs wind out after a few revolutions of the drill!

Tony, I was using a brand new HSS bit - a Bosch no less.  A colleague at work suggested that I use a Titanium Bit instead which will make much quicker progress.  Is this the case?

Jason, I did think about taking the cats off but, as you say, I then run the risk of shearing more studs in a place with less access.  Based on this, i think that I am forced to continue as I am.

From here, I think that I will grind the other side of the bolts and hope for the best.  If this does not work, then I will have to find a garage to get the studs out I suppose.  That will be a shame though, having got so far.

Will keep you all updated.

203

Omega General Help / Re: MOT Failure - an update and a question

« on: 08 April 2007, 20:11:12 »

Thanks for all your replies:

James, yes it is where the mid section joins the cats.

Toller, these bolts are stuck rock solid.  I think that the exhaust system is the original item.  They are well and truly corroded in place.

Hotel 21, I have seen these bolt extractors during a quick internet search for "stud extractor".

I will try drilling using the method suggested and report back.  I will also investigate the bolt extractors.

Thanks again

204

Omega General Help / MOT Failure - an update and a question

« on: 08 April 2007, 12:47:17 »

Well, the past two days have seen me under the Omega wrestling with the old exhaust.

I have managed to remove the old system and have pictured the process for a how to on the subject.  Now I am slightly stuck as, in the process of unscrewing the bolts on both exhaust flanges, the bolts have, of course, sheared as can be seen in the picture below:



Question is, how do I get the remains of the bolts out?  I have thought about drilling them out, but bolts are hardened and not easy to drill.  Would a stud extractor or bolt remover work?  I would be grateful for any ideas.

I did think about angle grinding them out which would of course remove the threaded hole on the flange.  If this was replaced with a simple nut and bolt then this would not matter.  However, getting an angle grinder in there could be an issue.  In addition, I am concerned that lots of vibration from a drill or angle grinder would damage the cats.

On a brighter note, I replaced the off side track rod arm yesterday - discounting the fact that the car was already jacked up, the whole process took about ½ hour.  I will do a how to on this a bit later.

I still have the new exhaust to fit and the nearside steering idler.

205

Omega General Help / Re: Query re breather box

« on: 10 April 2007, 10:27:29 »

To be honest, I think that when I do mine, I will just get new parts and bung them on.  Don't know if they are on TC or not but even if not, it saves all that fiddling about with carb cleaner.

206

Omega General Help / Re: Aircon

« on: 06 April 2007, 08:47:19 »

Do not use one of the cans from Halfords.  Whilst I don't doubt that the Halfords can will improve the air con slightly, you really should go to an air con specialist (or garage that deals with air con) who should do the following:

1.  Check for leaks.  If all is found to be well, then the following is done
2.  Evacuate the system - suck all the refrigerant (gas) well, the gas that remains anyway out of the system
3.  Fit a new received / dryer
4.  Vac the system (suck out all air and moisture) for at least 2 - 3 hours
5.  Fill the system with new gas along with the specified lubricant for the compressor and a leak detection dye.

After this, it is important to run the system for at least 10 minutes every couple of weeks or so.  This keeps the system active and stops the various seals drying out.  Every year, get the system checked and every two years have the receiver / dryer replaced.

Hope this helps

207

Omega General Help / Re: MOT & Breathers & Thanks

« on: 05 April 2007, 08:53:22 »

Glad it passed the test, unlike mine

Nice that it is running much better after the breathers etc.

I have just purchased some parts as a result of my MOT failure - the Trade Card certainly makes a difference.

208

Omega General Help / Re: It did look like this!

« on: 03 April 2007, 15:11:33 »

Nice going.

I am thinking of doing the same on my Cavalier at the weekend (in addition to the Omega Exhaust, Tie Rod and Steering idler!)

I too was wondering about the gasket.

209

Omega General Help / Re: V6 Idle Speed

« on: 30 March 2007, 17:40:17 »

I tend to leave the climate in ECO mode.  My idle speed seems to be rock steady at 500 rpm.  With climate on, the idle increases to around 600 - 650 RPM.

I am always amazed at the "slow" idle speed - my other vehicles are 4 pots but the idle at 850 - 900 with the A/C off!  One of the benefits of a multi cylinder engine I suppose.

Based on me experience, yours seems normal enough.

210

Omega General Help / Re: Exhaust System Change

« on: 30 March 2007, 11:30:40 »

My car failed the MOT this week on a holed exhaust.  Vaux wanted £500 to replace!  Needless to say, I am going to have a crack at doing this myself.  I have sent of my AS membership request (in order to get TC status).  When this comes through I will be purchasing the bit required and then starting the work.  I imagine a couple of weeks

I will more than likely post up a how to on this.