Show Posts

1

Omega General Help / Ignition Key Capture

« on: 13 March 2025, 14:47:34 »

For some months now I have put up with a niggling, but not crucial, issue when turning off the ignition.

I turn the key to the usual off position, but it does not get there every time as it should! All too often the key cannot be turned fully to the final off position, so cannot be withdrawn. The key is "captured". This is NOT every time, but all too often a very niggling thing that means I have to turn the key back to the first "power on" state before the turn to start the engine, and move the auto gear change backwards and forwards, maybe also pressing the "ice" button, until eventually I can finally turn the key to remove it. Sometimes this is a quick, 3 second process, other times 30 seconds of playing with the gears. Sometimes it needs a restart of the engine, a quick rev of it, then back to key out position!

I have also noted this is often aften I have been in reverse.

Does anyone have any idea please of what could be wrong, and what I can do to fix?

Many thanks.

2

Omega Electrical and Audio Help / How to replace a dash display bulb

« on: 08 February 2025, 12:44:18 »

For the first time with an Omega, I need to get behind the dash to replace a light bulb.

On the way to the latest MOT, I noticed one side of the speedo display was not lite up, but a quick tap on the glass put the light back on. Thank goodness this wasn't spotted during the MOT, although when I turned on the lights to travel home, the light did not come on, until a tap again!

So, how do you get behind the dash please?

Cannot find any OOF guide for it.

3

General Car Chat / Another MOT Pass

« on: 08 February 2025, 12:35:25 »

My Omega has just passed another MOT, thank goodness!

I will have to have replaced a worn track rod end apparently, for an all in price of £320. As I am through doing any difficult, under car, on cold surface, work I am happily leaving it to the Vx dealer. They are having to source the parts, probably from Autodoc, as I would, so I am just sitting back and paying the bill!!

4

General Car Chat / HBV's Quality

« on: 02 February 2025, 13:35:31 »

I have just replaced the HBV. I had two in stock, always ready for the inevitable need to change when water starts leaking at the back of the engine.

These are the two in stock:

The right hand one was purchased from Autodoc, manufactured in Denmark, for £17.50. The one on the left was bought some time ago from a forgotten source.

After looking at the markings, and the apparent quality of the one from Autodoc, that was the one I decided to fit. But, although I think that was the best one, is it really? How can we know if the apparent build quality/markings mean it is the best?

In fact, apart from when they fail with water dripping/pouring out, what internally means one is better than the other?

I have now replaced the HBV at least once on all the Omega's I have owned, but I am still at a loss to understand what goes wrong with them. I would love to know after all these years!

Any thoughts, knowledge, observations, please?

5

General Car Chat / Insurance Renewal Result

« on: 17 January 2025, 13:42:01 »

Just had a great result with my insurance renewal.

The AA, who I have been with for an eternity, sent me a renewal for £553.
Confused.com sent me many quotes, one from AVIA for £269. But the one that gave me full cover, with AVIA Premium Gold, was just £320. Used this to get the AA to review their quote, and they gave me again full Gold cover, for just £327, which I accepted as I know the AA, after they have been tested in the past, will give me what I want. They have my Omega valued as £4,000, which has proved vital when they agreed to repair, and not write off, after a 'my fault' accident. Result!!

6

Omega General Help / Bonnet support arms

« on: 15 January 2025, 12:17:09 »

The bonnet support arms have developed the fault of not being able to hold up the bonnet when open after a few minutes. The hydraulic strength of them has almost gone.

Are there new replacements on the market please?

Many thanks.

7

General Car Chat / When To Change The Spark Plugs

« on: 30 September 2024, 17:21:36 »

Now I know for many of the male piston heads on here I am going to seem like a silly, very silly, woman

I have had a car since 1970, servicing my private vehicles and arranging my company owned ones being regularly serviced. I have, I think if my memory is not letting me down, replaced the plugs at about 40,000 miles, so twice a year at least, to get the best performance.

With my private cars, especially with then Senator and all the Omega’s, I have changed them every major service, so about 15,000 miles to, once more, get the best level of performance.

Now today, feeling a little bored in these retirement, not the best of health years, I looked up on Google when you should change them. There it was in print a heading statement, and in other entries, every 100,000 to 120,000 miles they should be changed. WHAT??

I have never left it that long, even with my very high mileage company cars, and certainly never with my private ones. So that means for most standard mileage motorists doing the average 7 - 10,000 miles per year, would never change the plugs before selling their car on or scrapping it!!

I just cannot believe it, after my 54 years of driving, that plugs can be realiable after all that time/mileage. But maybe I have for all those years been too cautious with my spark plugs!!

What do you think is the right time to change them and do?

8

General Car Chat / Omega in Poltava, Ukraine

« on: 03 September 2024, 16:06:56 »

Watching the BBC news about another horrific Russian missile strike in the city of Poltava, I saw a fleeting image, behind a parked ambulance, of a silver (whatesle!) Omega, I assume an Opel.

Our lovely cars are still in many places, but in this case in a tragic situation which again has left numerous (50+) Ukrainians dead :'( :'( :'(

9

Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted / N/S Door Mirror Plastic Cover Wanted

« on: 20 June 2024, 00:10:57 »

Hi all!

After again clipping my near side door mirror on my garage door frame I am seeking a replacement passenger door mirror plastic cover as I have broken the fixing tabs/lugs inside.

The part number for my 2003 Omega Elite is 0815463 ABS 32675, colour does not matter as I have the paint to re spray.

Are there still any out there please? If so let me know how much

10

Omega Electrical and Audio Help / Number Plate Bulb

« on: 21 December 2023, 17:01:38 »

Never had to replace one on an Omega, but how do you access the number plate bulb please?

Maybe simples I know, but at the moment I cannot see how and the way I am means I want things to be easy!!!

11

Omega General Help / Breather Hose

« on: 24 November 2023, 17:00:09 »

I have a split breather hose feeding the rear of the plenum, one of the smaller diameter of the two.

When I get out of hospital I want to replace it. Is that straightforward and where can I obtain such a part now please?

12

Omega General Help / Alternator

« on: 20 October 2023, 11:09:21 »

Travelling just 3 miles from home yesterday, the alternator red light came on. Bit by bit the electrical power went, then the dreaded limp mode made it's feelings known. I just managed to park up outside my home, and the engine died. No power left to turn the engine, or work any electrics!

I knew what the problem was, but called in the AA to inspect, check all connections, and then confirm my fears. Alternator gone, dead, cupput! :'(

Found prices for a replacement, and asked my local garage for a quote to replace. How easy is it to fit an alternator? The last time I fitted a - well, it was a generator then on an A40 - it was dead easy. Not so now I reckon on a 3.2 engine.

Any thoughts please.

13

General Car Chat / ULEZ

« on: 28 August 2023, 13:57:51 »

So from midnight tonight the London ULEZ is being extended. For me that means that when I drive in northern Kent I can go into the Greater London charging zone.

On BBC there is a news report often repeated, with the reporter stating “any car registered before 2005 will have to pay the charge”.

WRONG!!

According to the online official checker for this charge my 2003, 3.2 Omega is exempt as it meets the criteria of acceptable omissions.

Very strange really. So a 3.2 of 2003 is ok, but others of the time are not and will cost their owners dearly every day they travel towards the City. Just when everyone not on mega bucks is struggling to cope with their living costs!!

Bloody stupid!

14

General Car Chat / Petrol Prices

« on: 17 August 2023, 17:22:27 »

I have noticed, with a shock, that down here the petrol prices that had been coming down have now gone to average of £1.479p for a litre; that is an extra 4p per litre on last week. Prices had been steadily going down.

So, what has happened now for this to happen yet again? $:-\$ $:-\$

The usual suspects are the War, China, Saudi, the dollar, exchange rates............................................!!

15

Omega General Help / Engine Management Light On

« on: 07 August 2023, 13:23:50 »

A pipe came loose from the back of the plenum and the Engine Management Light came on. Fixed the pipe, but the light is remaining on.

What do you think is wrong? Will the light go out eventually?

How to fix please?

News:

Profile Info

Topics - Lizzie Zoom