Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[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. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Regulator goosed then!

When the supply volts drop you get all sorts of random lights and goings on.

[robson]

When my alternator went I did not get a warning light. A recovery man checked the voltage output  it was around 12 volts he said that's Ok. next day battery flat, I believe the output should be more like 14 volts from the alternator with engine running?

[robson]

another thing that happened prior to the complete failure was that I got a bleep coming from the radio.

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, what Terbert's measurements show is a weak output from the alternator that isn't enough to fully charge the battery, and collapses once you've got a bit of load on it. It doesn't take much output to turn off the warning light so there can be a zone between complete failure and normality where there is no warning of a problem.

[Terbs]

Thanks to all for the input. Once again OOF not only says what is wrong but gives an explanation as to why.
So....we now look to migmog's link for a regulator, if you a sure that we be the one.

[Kevin Wood]

Can't remember if that's the exact one, but I've had a couple of replacement regs from MURE and they do the job.

[YZ250]

Thanks to all for the input. Once again OOF not only says what is wrong but gives an explanation as to why.
So....we now look to migmog's link for a regulator, if you a sure that we be the one.

I got my regulator from them when RobG sent me the link. Must say they provided an excellent service, as they didn't have a Bosch one in stock when I phoned them so he contacted his supplier and got them to send it direct to me. It arrived very quick as well so I was well happy. 

[Terbs]

Just got to get the alternator off now !!!! Searched the forum, and some say easy peasy, others including the one with pictures frightens me a bit !!!

[Bigron]

Mine was dead easy to do; I just made Essex Big Al tea as required and watched him! 
Thanks again, Al

Ron.

[TheBoy]

Just got to get the alternator off now !!!! Searched the forum, and some say easy peasy, others including the one with pictures frightens me a bit !!!

Guessing its not in Brakkers?

[powerslinky]

Mine was dead easy to do; I just made Essex Big Al tea as required and watched him! 
Thanks again, Al

Ron.

He's tellin'  porkies  . .  . 

sure that Ron's Missus made the tea 

Not a too bad a job Terbs   . . . you'll be alright 

[Terbs]

Unfortunately not, TB

[YZ250]

Just got to get the alternator off now !!!! Searched the forum, and some say easy peasy, others including the one with pictures frightens me a bit !!!

It's fair to say they could have put it somewhere more convenient but it's fiddly rather than hard as you are running blind when holding the nuts with a spanner.
I put mine on ramps as although it has to come out upwards it was a better height to work on for my poor old back bones. You can also nip underneath to unplug the multi-plug.
Piece of cake to do the regulator once it's off though.   

[Terbs]

Cheers, Al

[Marks DTM Calib]

Forty to fifty minutes, about 1.5 hours if its your first go

The trick is to use a ring spanner on the harder to get at fixing on the top rear bracket and to tap the sliding sleeves back into the alternator brackets prior to re-fit.

In the case of the reg change, you don't even need to actually remove the wiring as it can be swapped easily enough with it still close to the engine (but your choice)

[omega2018]

you know there's a guide?  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=107049.0

pay particular attention to the final sentence there.

[Terbs]

Thanks migmog....read it so many times I almost know it by heart....lol

Yes Mark....just going to do the regulator. Going to strip all the furniture out while I wait for delivery and see if I can do it without removal from the car. Anything for an easy life.
Beauty is, having three, its not a major problem being off the road.

[Terbs]

Does anyone what this bit is....it seems to be held on by a rubber casing pushed over a bracket. I can't get it off. The bracket may be the way to go, that is attached to the wing. Can I safely take the rubber hoses off. Click images to enlarge

[frostbite]

Leccy water pump

[johnnydog]

When I replaced the alternator on my 3.2,  to give me better access, I removed the rubber covers (for want of a better description) from the bracket and lifted the pipes out of the way as much as they would allow without forcing them. From memory they came off the bracket quite easily and went back ok after the job was done.
I'd go and have brew, come back to it and they'll come off no problem. Always works....

[Terbs]

Stripped it all out....could be looking at the death of an Omega here    Got to the top bolt ok, but the bottom one is causing me grief. The spanner size of the nuts is 16mm in my case. And what size spanner have I not got....yep, 16mm. Did the front nut with a socket, and back Torx with the 11mm spanner.
Have ordered a 16mm spanner, and awaiting delivery today from Amazon. At least the Regulator has arrived
This is definately, one of those, 'when you have done one' jobs. At least on the 2.6, there is acres of space around to manoeuvre in. But as was mentioned earlier, needs a gynecologist hands.

[Bigron]

Just imagine that you are trying to have sex in an early Mini..... 

Ron.

[Terbs]

Spanner arrived....5 minutes later, bolt off. Obviously, different nuts on different models.
Oh Ron...experienced with that, except swap Mini for A30 !!!!!

[Bigron]

Yes, me too - except that MY A30 was originally a van, converted to a nearly-estate, so much roomier. Apparently.... 

Ron.

[Terbs]

Could be the end of Omega ownership for me. This job is ******* me off bigtime. !!!!!!
Bad enough trying to get the the flamin' thing off, getting it back on is doing my head in. Got the bottom bolt in, now it won't swing round to do the top. Tried the top, then the bottom one won't line up.
If I can't get this sorted pretty sharp, I shall ring the scrappy for a price to cart all three off. Too old for this crap.

[Nick W]

Sounds like a bit of light relief from my jobs for the rest of the week: fit the 36 new oil, air and fuel hoses to a Yak18. The oil cooler hoses are like wrestling with a pair of snakes. In a tunnel. Through a hole. With your finger tips.


At least you're not depending on having it done by a certain time, so have a break and come back to it.

[Doctor Gollum]

Could be the end of Omega ownership for me. This job is ******* me off bigtime. !!!!!!
Bad enough trying to get the the flamin' thing off, getting it back on is doing my head in. Got the bottom bolt in, now it won't swing round to do the top. Tried the top, then the bottom one won't line up.
If I can't get this sorted pretty sharp, I shall ring the scrappy for a price to cart all three off. Too old for this crap.

If it can wait, I will be passing at some point on Thursday morning...

[Terbs]

Thanks for the encouragement, Nick, mate. I have at last got the bolts in, but cannot get the bottom nut to locate on the thread. If and when If and when I can do that, it should be plain sailing then. My arms are sore and scratched, which does not help.

[Terbs]

Thats kind of you Al.......lets see if I can get that nut on first..I hate troubling people for petty jobs.
Gonna have a coffee, and go back to it.

[relluf]

Stripped it all out....could be looking at the death of an Omega here    Got to the top bolt ok, but the bottom one is causing me grief. The spanner size of the nuts is 16mm in my case. And what size spanner have I not got....yep, 16mm. Did the front nut with a socket, and back Torx with the 11mm spanner.
Have ordered a 16mm spanner, and awaiting delivery today from Amazon. At least the Regulator has arrived
This is definately, one of those, 'when you have done one' jobs. At least on the 2.6, there is acres of space around to manoeuvre in. But as was mentioned earlier, needs a gynecologist hands.

You should try removing the alternator on the 2.5td.........
Now that is a tight squeeze, took me ages to get it off mine , you have to almost destroy the battery shelf to get it out!!!

[omegod]

try a bit of black tape to hold the nut on the spanner, you can" wiggle" it to your hearts content until it catches the bolt

[Terbs]

Well done omegod.....its worked....both bolts on and tightened
Should be straightforward now

[Doctor Gollum]

Job jobbed

[Bigron]

Phew! Another Omega saved from that great motorway in the sky.....

Ron.

[TheBoy]

Stripped it all out....could be looking at the death of an Omega here    Got to the top bolt ok, but the bottom one is causing me grief. The spanner size of the nuts is 16mm in my case. And what size spanner have I not got....yep, 16mm. Did the front nut with a socket, and back Torx with the 11mm spanner.
Have ordered a 16mm spanner, and awaiting delivery today from Amazon. At least the Regulator has arrived
This is definately, one of those, 'when you have done one' jobs. At least on the 2.6, there is acres of space around to manoeuvre in. But as was mentioned earlier, needs a gynecologist hands.

You should try removing the alternator on the 2.5td.........
Now that is a tight squeeze, took me ages to get it off mine , you have to almost destroy the battery shelf to get it out!!!

Actually removing TD alternator from the engine is dead easy.  Getting it out of the engine bay from there is "challenging".  I brought mine forward, rather than up, to avoid bending battery tray.

[Doctor Gollum]

On the TDs intended purpose, only the airbox is in the way

[relluf]

Stripped it all out....could be looking at the death of an Omega here    Got to the top bolt ok, but the bottom one is causing me grief. The spanner size of the nuts is 16mm in my case. And what size spanner have I not got....yep, 16mm. Did the front nut with a socket, and back Torx with the 11mm spanner.
Have ordered a 16mm spanner, and awaiting delivery today from Amazon. At least the Regulator has arrived
This is definately, one of those, 'when you have done one' jobs. At least on the 2.6, there is acres of space around to manoeuvre in. But as was mentioned earlier, needs a gynecologist hands.

You should try removing the alternator on the 2.5td.........
Now that is a tight squeeze, took me ages to get it off mine , you have to almost destroy the battery shelf to get it out!!!

Actually removing TD alternator from the engine is dead easy.  Getting it out of the engine bay from there is "challenging".  I brought mine forward, rather than up, to avoid bending battery tray.

Yup agreed .
Just getting it out was a tad tricky  I could not see a way to forward unless you took front of car off!! Mine had to come up and out.

Sorry Terbs not meaning to hijack thread!
Glad your sorted now

[Terbs]

That's ok, mate
We are sorted, however, it pays to 'search' for info instead of relying on the guides, as there are evidently variations ie: 15mm or 16mm nuts. Also once I had the bolts in, the belt would not fit. Luckily, someone else had the same problem, so I found the problem quickly (also having another 2.6 here to look at helped).
Sorry this has been a long-winded thread, but a lot has been learned. I am no longer a 'spring chicken', that would have done this job with contempt.
Would I do it again ? Probably on the other 2.6, as I know the pitfalls, but the 2.5 looks a bit more of a challenge.
Car started ok, but have not had time to do a charging check. Watch this space.
Oh...and apologies for my rant, but needs must!!!!

[omega2018]

once I had the bolts in, the belt would not fit. Luckily, someone else had the same problem, so I found the problem quickly (also having another 2.6 here to look at helped).

yes i had that, the last sentence in the guide http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=107049.0 was changed to cover it but it could be more prominent.

if you had charging problems leading up to the failure you migth find your battery a bit worse for wear, i think mine had its life shorteneed a little through undercharging.

[omegod]

Well done omegod.....its worked....both bolts on and tightened
Should be straightforward now

Happy days , had a few battles before I sussed that trick 

[Terbs]

To finalise....did readings this morning, as per guide....

3..........12.89
4..........12.48
5..........10.25.....to 11.38
6..........14.44
7..........14.44.....with load.. 14.21
9..........14.40-14.44

Thanks everyone

[Kevin Wood]

That looks better.