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[golly]

Hi, I've recently acquired a 2003 3.2 , 115k. It has an intermittent fault; the EML flashes for a few seconds and then stays on and the car runs lumpy. Sometimes this doesn't happen,  but more frequently than not. The car has not been used alot in the last 2 years.  I haven't got a code reader and am asking advice and a recommendation of a good V6 mechanic in the TW14/Heathrow area. Can anyone help...please.

[VXL V6]

Most likely oil in the plug wells due to failed cam cover gaskets caused by poor maintenance of the breather system.

[amba]

Budget for 2 new coil packs aswell as they will be oil fried too.Worth also doing the 6 plugs whilst you are in that far as that way you have dealt with some of the common V6 issues and protected things for a few more years.

[Doctor Gollum]

Pedal trick it to read the codes and report back 

If it has been parked up there is a few things that will require attention. A tank of V Power and a bottle of Wynns injector cleaner is a good starting point.

[TheBoy]

Do the pedal trick and check for stored codes.

But I suspect it is HT related, so check plug wells and coils packs as above. Without a code reader with live data capability, much else will more challenging to find.

[Doctor Gollum]

Do the pedal trick and check for stored codes.

But I suspect it is HT related, so check plug wells and coils packs as above. Without a code reader with live data capability, much else will more challenging to find.

As likely to be cat codes from crap fuel. 

[Nick W]

There's likely to be water as well as oil in the plug wells.


Which makes ensuring the scuttle isn't leaking part of the job. Although that's just one the many jobs a new to you Omega needs.

[golly]

Thanks for all your rapid advice. I was thinking fuel related,  with the car standing a while,  condensation in tank. Firstly I will run the tank near empty and then put Performance Petrol and additives in, if no change I will have a go at the the complete ignition system.
Thanks again to everyone and will keep you updated.

[Nick W]

Start with the ignition system. Any flaws will be obvious, and so will their fix.


Ever heard the phrase most carburettor faults are electrical?

[TheBoy]

Do the pedal trick and check for stored codes.

But I suspect it is HT related, so check plug wells and coils packs as above. Without a code reader with live data capability, much else will more challenging to find.

As likely to be cat codes from crap fuel. 

Not in my experience.  Remember the petrol in my (admittedly superior) 3.0l was always old.

[TheBoy]

Thanks for all your rapid advice. I was thinking fuel related,  with the car standing a while,  condensation in tank. Firstly I will run the tank near empty and then put Performance Petrol and additives in, if no change I will have a go at the the complete ignition system.
Thanks again to everyone and will keep you updated.

Do the plug well and coil pack checks as soon as you can.

Whilst old fuel isn't ideal, I think praying that fresh stuff added with some snake oil will cure it is pretty hopeful to be honest.

[golly]

Ok chaps, I will start with the Coils and Plugs. Never done these on a 3.2 ( only a 96 2.5 CD), is it quite straightforward  ?, but I expect it to be a bit fiddly.

[VXL V6]

The flashing EML tells you that it's miss-firing as the only other time that it flashes (in my experience) is during immobiliser faults in which case it wouldn't start.

[Doctor Gollum]

Not suggesting that crap fuel is the be all, but it is a cheap starting point.

If it has a tankful of 2+ year old supermarket fuel in it, it will never run as well as fresh fuel.

Not to say that the camcover, breathers, plugs, coil packs and cambelt don't need attention, and not including the suspension...

Start at the beginning and get stuck in from there.

[johnnydog]

The flashing EML tells you that it's miss-firing as the only other time that it flashes (in my experience) is during immobiliser faults in which case it wouldn't start.

My recent faulty ECU (when it was on its way out) caused the EML to flash intermittantly, before flashing rapidly (along with the TC and spanner light), with a distinct lack of power, cutting out etc, before eventually not starting at all.
Oil / water in the plug wells in my experience caused a misfire, but displayed a continous EML.