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[actaylor]

I've recently bought an Omega Elite 3.0. Great car, I love it to bits, and its LPG converted as well, hence affordable to run.

The only fly in my ointment right now is the fact that I have to fill up with coolant every week.

Before I take it to a garage so someone can say "its the head gasket mate, £1500", I'd like to try diagnosing the problem myself.

I can't see any obvious puddles of coolant under the radiator etc, so I'm fearing it might be an internal leak. However, there's no cross-contamination of oil and coolant, so I don't think there's anything wrong with the gasket.

Can anyone give me any advice as to how to best proceed?

[Kev]

Probably not the head gasket, so don't panic yet.  

More likely the HBV, or heater bypass valve, it's pretty common and not a hard job to replace.

Do a search on the forum for the above, plenty will turn up.

Failing that, it could be one of the hoses at the rear of the engine, either way, you should see to it as soon as you can as the coil pack lives back there, and it don't like water.  

[Kev]

There is a How2 on changing the HBV here.  

[sophos9]

Get under the car and see whats going on. I had the same problem when I bought mine, it turned out to be the oil cooler plate which when removed stripped the threads off the oil cooler  

Could be the HBV or could be the thermostat housing, also check pipes etc... Best to get it sorted sooner rather than later, if HBV leaks into DIS pack it can cause premature failure

[Darth Loo-knee]

I've recently bought an Omega Elite 3.0. Great car, I love it to bits, and its LPG converted as well, hence affordable to run.

The only fly in my ointment right now is the fact that I have to fill up with coolant every week.

Before I take it to a garage so someone can say "its the head gasket mate, £1500", I'd like to try diagnosing the problem myself.

I can't see any obvious puddles of coolant under the radiator etc, so I'm fearing it might be an internal leak. However, there's no cross-contamination of oil and coolant, so I don't think there's anything wrong with the gasket.

Can anyone give me any advice as to how to best proceed?

This is something that comes up quite alot, and what has been said is exactly right, but here is an old thread I have just been and found for you to look at
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1182714050

[actaylor]

Thanks, will try the HBV first.

[IrmscherKris]

Thanks, will try the HBV first.

Where abouts are you mate?

[actaylor]

Buckinghamshire.

Definitely seems like the HBV, as it doesn't loose coolant if the air con / heater is switched off. Have ordered new one, will try fitting it at the weekend.