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[Terbs]

Went to Hemel Hempstead, about half an hour away. Went to start the car to come home, flat as a witches tit. Felt hot. Jump started it, got back to Amersham, and speedo vibrated, fuel gauge seemed to do its own thing, dash lights started flashing on and off, then everything packed up. Coasted to a stop. Battery so flat could not operate anything....clicking noises everywhere, doors, sunroof, etc. Recovery came, put a starter pack on and it started first time, sweet as a nut. But he asked how long we had been there, told him two and a half hours, and he said the engine and everything else was still red hot. So put it on a flatbed and brought us home.
So....do you think it could be water pump packed up, or thermostat knackered, or something more sinister.

2001 2.6 Estate (Elite) 107000 miles

[LC0112G]

Goosed alternator not charging the battery.

[Doctor Gollum]

Omega V6 heat retention is just short of spectacular...

If the temp gauge and fans work as expected (electrical issues notwithstanding) and coolant level is normal,  then I wouldn't worry unduly

[omega2018]

Goosed alternator not charging the battery.

yep .  probably just the regulator

this one should fit www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180991771387 £19 , been OK on mine for 23K miles so far. 

[robson]

Had similar it was alternator problem.

[johnnydog]

Had identical symptoms on my 3.2 when the alternator packed up, although the temperature wasn't affected. New alternator and all was well again.

[frostbite]

Not on a v6 but when my alt failed a couple months back, my speedo flashed like a christmas tree and to top it off the battery light had blown so I was non the wiser

[Terbs]

Thanks for the info. I shall go out and check the fluid levels, start it with my starter pack or jump it, and check the battery charging rate. I noticed that when it was started to get it on the flatbed, and when we started it after rolling off the flatbed, engine sounded perfectly normal, with no warning lights at all on the dash. If alternator, would the battery light have lit up ?

[Bigron]

Yes.

[Kevin Wood]

Yes.

.. but not always. Depends on the failure mode. I have regulators fail with no warning.

Remember to also check the battery terminals. Frequently the cable crimps can get loose and drop enough volts to prevent the battery from charging properly.

[Terbs]

New battery, Kevin. Have checked all connections....tight as a drum. Can't do anything at the moment as its lashing down here.

Next question....why did it get so hot.....everything under the bonnet was roasting. After two and a half hours, I went to undo the header tank, and the cap was well hot, so left it alone. The battery was hot, and, as I said everything else to boot !!!! I am assuming it has retained oil and water, as the temperature gauge never went over normal, and fans worked.
I'll try a current drain later, too.

[tunnie]

Cooling fans not been running? V6's get hot and it does not take much for the fans to burst into life.

[Kevin Wood]

If it hasn't blown the expansion tank cap and lost coolant then it didn't get too hot. This is confirmed by the gauge reading. The coolant will be at just under boiling point under normal circumstances and there will be a lot of heat soak to components under the bonnet in summer weather so they will feel hot for some time after use.

It sounds to me like your only problem is an electrical one.

Do you have a mutimeter? Can you work your way through this guide?

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90619.0

[Terbs]

Thanks Kevin...yes mate, I have multimeters...in fact I have a multitude of multi meters.
 Stopped raining now so I will go and see what I can find.

[Terbs]

Results so far as per the guide.....I'll put them in guide numerical order...
This is a battery that I have put on which was charged up and left standing 6 to 8 weeks ago, if not longer. The battery on the car read 11.35.

3......12.57
4......12.40
5......10.30 rising quickly as car instantly started.
6......13.20
7......13.20 then at 2000 revs...13.20
8......12.65
9......12.95 at 2000 revs.

Equipment turned on during tests were as in the guide, lights, rear window and blower.
I am thinking alternator, but comments welcomed

Raining again, so can't check current losses, if any.