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1

Omega General Help / Re: PCD & Offset of Omega Alloys?

« on: 14 January 2008, 13:41:26 »

Thanks for the advice fellas.  I'm a sucker for the "stock but tastefully modified look" so a set of MV6 alloys it is, then.

Cheers,

Tim  8-)

2

Omega General Help / PCD & Offset of Omega Alloys?

« on: 13 January 2008, 13:00:33 »

After I sort out the engine and bodywork of my ex-plod special, I'm thinking of fitting a set of aftermarket alloys.  I'm not going to go mad, probably 17" or so.  I like a bit of profile for ride comfort.  So does anybody know the PCD and offset of Omega wheels, please?  Sorry if this is mentioned somewhere else.  

3

Omega General Help / Re: Oil Cooler!!!

« on: 06 February 2008, 16:12:41 »

Just for comparison, the oil cooler has gone on my 02 3.2 manual.  Exactly the same symtoms as your car.  The previous owners used a very weak coolant mixture (mostly water by the looks of it).  The guys on this forum reccommend changing the long life coolant every 2 years as a precaution.

4

Omega General Help / Re: Brown Goo / Mayo in Coolant Resevoir

« on: 16 January 2008, 08:03:38 »

Thanks for the info, guys.  Phew!  Boy am I glad it' s the oil cooler and not the HG.     I'll see to those other jobs while I'm at it.  

I second the question: "Should the engine oil also be flushed?".  I don't suppose it would do any harm.

Thanks again.  I'll keep you all posted on my progress with "Project Plod".

5

Omega General Help / Brown Goo / Mayo in Coolant Resevoir

« on: 15 January 2008, 20:11:22 »

Hi fellas,

I've bought a 2002 Omega 3.2 with 50k.  It hasn't turned a wheel since November at least and only then it was started only briefly to come on/off a low loader.  I bought the car in the knowledge that it had suspected head gasket failure, but having done my research in the FAQ section first, this may not be the case.  My hope is that this has been misdiagnosed.  Anyway, here are the symptoms:

1)  There is oil contamination in the coolant expansion reservoir.  To be more specific, the reservoir is dyed brown and there are a few floaters in there along with "mayo" on the cap.  

2)  The coolant isn't dyed i.e. its water and has been topped up with water as it's lost some coolant.

3)  There's some light smattering of mayo on the oil filler neck and cap, but absolutely none on the dip stick.

I'm hoping it's a combination of a failed oil cooler and heater bypass valve?  I'm no mechanic, so could the more knowledgable please help me out?  

6

Omega General Help / Re: 3.2 V6 50k Servicing Advice

« on: 10 January 2008, 16:01:04 »

ex-plod with 50k

Does seem odd, that, although in NI you run out of road quicker than on the mainland!

Is the car currently a runner?

Depends on your capabilities, of course, but I would certainly not get it delivered direct to a garage. Give it a once-over and post what you find here and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice that will give you a more cost-effective fix than a garage poking around and changing things left right and centre.

Kevin

The car is a runner.  I just need to charge/replace the battery, and fit a power steering resevoir otherwise it will run.  I've decided to get it delivered straight to my house.  I will have her on Saturday morning, all being well.  Rest assured, I'll be straight on here with my findings!  The more I read, the more I reckon it's not the head gasket.  Fingers crossed!
As psnimv6 says,  the guy who we bought our cars off is genuine.  I know people seem to have their opinions on ex-plod cars, but these are worth the risk.  I bought mine for £2250.  I'm sure it would be worth you guys on the mainland bringing one over.  I've had quotes of £250 for pretty much anywhere in the UK.  I'm sure psnimv6 or myself would be happy to give the car a once over for you and take a few snaps if anyone on this forum is interested.  I only live about 10 miles away from this guy.

7

Omega General Help / Re: 3.2 V6 50k Servicing Advice

« on: 09 January 2008, 20:07:11 »

Thanks for the advice, Kevin.  I'm in the process of trying to find out more about the car's history.  The gentleman that I bought it off will deliver it for me and offered to take it straight to a mechanic to get the work done.  I'm tempted to just tell him to take it to my house so that I can examine things more in depth and give you better info of the problems.

8

Omega General Help / 3.2 V6 50k Servicing Advice

« on: 09 January 2008, 10:32:06 »

I've just purchased a 2002 3.2 MV6 Omega with 50k miles on the clock.  It is an ex-police car and as such should've been well maintained.  I'm waiting on the print out of what work has been carried out to the car and when.  However, the chap who was selling it was straight up and told me that the head gaskets would need replaced as they were "on their way out".  The car starts from stone cold and runs sweet as a nut.  I didn't see any sign of blue smoke.  I'll provide more info on the service history as I get it.

In terms of diagnosis, I'm only going on what the seller has told me.  I've read on this forum that there are other factors which give the symtoms of head gasket failure.  However, it was a police mechanic who told me this and I assume he knows what he's talking about.

I am not a very advanced mechanic, so I'll be taking the car to a garage.  I've read in the FAQ and Maintenance Guide sections of this forum that it would be advisable to replace the cambelt, tensioner and water pump whilst doing this job.  I was wondering what else should be done (apart from fluids & filters) that you guys would reccommend as part of a good thorough baseline service?  And where do most of you buy your parts?  Does anyone have any reccommendations for brands and suppliers of the above?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TR

9

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 and 2.6 V6 engines. Main changes?

« on: 06 January 2008, 21:58:28 »

Yes, for my sins!  I must've been a bad boy in a previous life!  Only kidding, it's not all bad.  There's some very nice scenic and twisty B roads near me that you boys would love!

10

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 and 2.6 V6 engines. Main changes?

« on: 06 January 2008, 21:44:04 »

low miles (if genuine - omegas wear well, so easy to clock), but pricey for CD

Would £2500 be more like it?  I could get a Mig in the mainland but I have to budget £250 - £300 to bring it back to N. Ireland plus I'd be buying blind.  The choice here is rubbish.  A good manual V6 mig with less than 100k miles is like hens teeth over here!

11

Omega General Help / Re: 2.5 and 2.6 V6 engines. Main changes?

« on: 06 January 2008, 21:37:13 »

Mmm.  Must look those acronyms up.  If it helps, I plan to install LPG in the car.  Also, it would be great if I could get some opinions on this Mig which has just come up for sale near me.  I hope this hyperlink works:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/VAUXHALL+OMEGA/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-10-14-41-62-4294966436-4294966969/search.action

If it doesn't, let me know as I'd value your opinion on it.  The good thing is it's a manual!

12

Omega General Help / 2.5 and 2.6 V6 engines. Main changes?

« on: 06 January 2008, 21:23:44 »

Hi,

I'm looking at a couple of semi skimmed V6's with a view to buying.  The early facelift cars (99-01) seem to have a 2.5 engine and the later ones have a 2.6.

I'm sorry if this newbie question has been asked before, but what were the main changes made?  I assume the 2.6 is a development of the 2.5?  Are there any performance/economy adavntages with the newer engine and is it worth seeking out a 2.6 over a 2.5 or is it 6 to one half dozen the other?

TR

13

Newbie Welcome Area / Re: Another Hello!

« on: 09 January 2008, 08:42:04 »

Hi Fellas,

I have finally bought an Omega.  After starting off looking for a 2000> 2.2, a test drive in a 2.5 confirmed that I had to have the full fat 3.2.  So, given my budget of £3k and the fact that hey're like hens teeth, I looked for a 3.2 manual.... and found one.

The car that I've bought is an ex-police 2002 Omega 3.2 MV6 in the obligatory white with 50k miles on the clock.  I bought it for under budget but she does need some body work and a major service which  I'll mention in the "help" section.  I can't wait to get her up and running.

Sorry, I don't have any photos as of yet.  She's a sight for sore eyes right now.  When I get her cleaned up a bit, I'll post some pics up.

TR

14

Newbie Welcome Area / Re: Another Hello!

« on: 04 January 2008, 11:29:11 »

Hi Guys,

Just a wee update.  I was bidding on a V6 2.6 Omega on ebay but thanks to talktalk, my broadband went down just when I needed to get on for the final stages of the auction and I lost out.  I'm a bit disappointed, but that's the way it goes.

So, I'm in the market for a Mig.  Here's my wishlist.  A 2.2 or 2.6, 01>, 60k miles or less, manual, saloon prefered, leather seats a bonus, budget is £2500 but could maybe push to £3k for a klinker.  (I have to allow costs to bring it over to N.I. which costs about £300).

1) I know the above may sound like a tall order, but you never know.
2) I've posted this in the wrong place, but I can't seem to post in the appropriate "wanted" section as I need 51 posts.  Maybe some kind soul from admin could move it for me?

Thanks.

15

Newbie Welcome Area / Re: Another Hello!

« on: 03 January 2008, 13:35:38 »

Welcome to the forum TR, good luck in your search, your more than right about motoring gems, but make sure you get history with the car and a min of when the belt and tensionners were last changed. 40,000/4 years tops.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words of welcome so far.

Yes, thanks for the tip.  I had a quick read in the forum here and found out about the belts.  40k isn't long is it?  Most cars I've had are around 60k.  The car I'm looking at has a fully stamped Vauxhall service history and she had the betls done at 40k.  

I initially started looking for a 2.2,  but then I though I might as well go for the V6 as I intend to convert her to "LPG".  I already run a car on LPG and I wouldn't go back to derv.

The choice for Omega's in N. Ireland isn't great and all the choice is over in the mainland UK.  Anyone in the forum from N.I. by the way?

Cheers

Tim