Topic: Darth or James please..... (Read 4839 times)

coastie123 · « **on:** 04 April 2010, 19:27:35 »

Cream on oil filler cap and also in neck of oil filler...

Would this be head gasket???

There's no oil or water leaks and recently had rocker gaskets done...

2.5 v6 petrol, x plate and 94265 miles

biggriffin · « **Reply #1 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:31:25 »

short journeys in an omega will put smeg on the filler and neck it due to the mosturie in the oil not being dried out,if i do 4+ mile journeys then stop smeg go for longer no smeg.

UrbanFox · « **Reply #2 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:31:57 »

Hi,

I know I'm neither, but this could just be because the car has only done short journeys.

biggriffin · « **Reply #3 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:33:30 »

3.0L and 3.2L are the worst for it.

coastie123 · « **Reply #4 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:34:24 »

In 4 years it's only done 26000 miles

the chap is now working further away so needs a more Eco car

it seems genuine.... I just don't want to be stitched

UrbanFox · « **Reply #5 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:36:19 »

I was doing 4k miles a month in one of my cars and it had the build up, and there are no faults with that at all! It is a common issue on lesser used cars.

coastie123 · « **Reply #6 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:39:55 »

Thanks for the replies...

I gave 2 options... Get the car and drive 300 mikes home or stay the night in hotel and get a train back in the morning...

Would rather get home tonight....

biggriffin · « **Reply #7 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:41:48 »

take it for a good run 20+miles if you can that should clear it. check the dip stick before you start it if the chaps run it before you get there,walk away never buy a s/h car that you are unsure about,take someone with you who is a bit clued up bound to be someone lokal who is an OOFer who can help.

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #8 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:52:32 »

Short journeys, not a problem.

guncharmer · « **Reply #9 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:53:54 »

If that nice female is still next to you i would go for the night in the hotel regardless.

Rockers gaskets,ask did he have genuine vx fitted.

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #10 on:** 04 April 2010, 19:56:58 »

For info and to add some more detail.

Consider the fact that a key product from the combustion process is water and some of this water gets into the crank case by blowing ast the rings.

You also get condensation forming in the block when its cold.

This all gets boilded off when the engine is hot but, the V6 when installed in the Omega, has a long oil filler neck and the water vapour tends to gather here.

This area is also not exposed to oil wash from the cams and hence the formation of a mayo mix.

Rog the Dodge · « **Reply #11 on:** 04 April 2010, 23:27:00 »

Was it the hotel or was it the train

And was it worth it , lol

Entwood · « **Reply #12 on:** 04 April 2010, 23:28:31 »

By the time you have driven it home it will be as clean as a whistle .. just needs a good long run ..

coastie123 · « **Reply #13 on:** 04 April 2010, 23:29:57 »

Well I'm on my way back....

No nice female but a nice quick car!!!

I'm just about to leave tamworth services after a pit stop!!!

All going well......

Entwood · « **Reply #14 on:** 04 April 2010, 23:32:14 »

Quote

Well I'm on my way back....

No nice female but a nice quick car!!!

I'm just about to leave tamworth services after a pit stop!!!

All going well......

Nice one ..

Rog the Dodge · « **Reply #15 on:** 04 April 2010, 23:32:24 »

Glad to hear the car is going well, did you check the filler cap in your pit stop ?
I bet it was all clear

coastie123 · « **Reply #16 on:** 05 April 2010, 18:13:43 »

Quote

Glad to hear the car is going well, did you check the filler cap in your pit stop ?
I bet it was all clear

it was clearer...

I got home eventually last night, drove around a bit today, got to wok at 1645 and checke the filler cap and neck and it's there again....

I'm now suspecting it us the hg that's going....

Any advice again please!!

Rog the Dodge · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 April 2010, 18:20:25 »

Is there any record of when the oil was last changed???

Think if it was me i would be changing the oil and filter now, also get the breathers done at the same time.
Is it using/losing any coolant ?

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 April 2010, 18:31:00 »

Quote

Quote
Glad to hear the car is going well, did you check the filler cap in your pit stop ?
I bet it was all clear

it was clearer...

I got home eventually last night, drove around a bit today, got to wok at 1645 and checke the filler cap and neck and it's there again....

I'm now suspecting it us the hg that's going....

Any advice again please!!

Yes, dont be so stupid

....you did more short runs...hence mayo back.

I get bloddy annoyed how the standard cause of everything is the headgasket when people see these symptoms

jonathanh · « **Reply #19 on:** 05 April 2010, 18:50:55 »

some further thoughts:

I have almost exactly the same vehicle and yes I get mayo sometimes as well in the filler cap. Not excessively so. As people have said, it is typical and nothing to worry about.

If I am correct, you have just purchased the vehicle and it has not seen a lot of use. If it were me, I would do a full service on it: brake, coolant, oil change. Use VX fluids after getting a trade club card from autobahnstormers. I'd then repeat the oil change after 3000 miles (just because I don' know the history). I'd also put a full cambelt kit on as well given 4 years 26,000 miles. that is unless I' abosolutely certain it was changed properly recently.

but back to your original question, it is VERY unlikely to be a HG problem

coastie123 · « **Reply #20 on:** 05 April 2010, 19:05:20 »

You guys are fantastic....

Very quick replies...

I've always been told Mayo is a possibility of headgasket...

I intend to get the trade card and also do the service on the vehicle and cambelt change but I will get hol of a mobile mechanic from here for that as I'm
not mechanically minded....

Should I also look at replacing the oil cooler aswell??

I took the chance on the car as it was quite cheap and my budget wasn't fantastic....

I did manage to get the price down a bit more aswell to allow for some work to be done

feeutfo · « **Reply #21 on:** 05 April 2010, 19:19:33 »

try removing the neck, lift tad and twist, and plugging the cap straight into the cam cover, as it is on the vectra, if your still concerned.

The filler neck is only there to aid topping up, they dont fit it to the vectra as its front wheel drive, so the engine is mounted sideways meaning the filler is facing you. No neck needed.

...wind your neck in you mite say.

coastie123 · « **Reply #22 on:** 06 April 2010, 16:45:35 »

Right guys I have just checked the filler neck and cap and it's there again...

I also have the temp getting to about 95 now on a run so am I right in thinking it could be the oil cooler?? I hope it's not as vauxhall Exeter have said £132 + vat for the part and not trade club part....

guncharmer · « **Reply #23 on:** 06 April 2010, 16:55:23 »

How much mayo are you talking about,a smear,a teaspoon,2 tablespoons and i am assuming you have wiped it clean each time?
Do an oil and filter change first.

henryd · « **Reply #24 on:** 06 April 2010, 16:56:41 »

my v6 does the same thing driving locally but after towing the caravan to devon and back its gone,many years ago austin maestro's suffered the same problem and the fix was to insulate the oil filler neck so it would retain its heat.stick a bit of foam pipe insulation around the filler neck

Phil · « **Reply #25 on:** 06 April 2010, 16:56:42 »

Quote

try removing the neck, lift tad and twist, and plugging the cap straight into the cam cover, as it is on the vectra, if your still concerned.

The filler neck is only there to aid topping up, they dont fit it to the vectra as its front wheel drive, so the engine is mounted sideways meaning the filler is facing you. No neck needed.

...wind your neck in you mite say.

Just to clarify the neck IS fitted to a Vectra C, the above only refers to Vectra B, however most 'C' owners do remove the neck to solve the problem.

I find using a fully synthetic oil (Mobil 1 in my case) seems to 'solve' the problem

coastie123 · « **Reply #26 on:** 06 April 2010, 17:02:13 »

Quote

How much mayo are you talking about,a smear,a teaspoon,2 tablespoons and i am assuming you have wiped it clean each time?
Do an oil and filter change first.

There's between a teaspoon and a table spoon each time and yes I do wipe clean each time...

oil and filter change will be done at the weekend as I'm working unfortunately... I travel about 30 miles round trip to work a day...

I will report back if there's any change....

Is there anything else to look out for in the meantime as I'm not mechanically minded.....

guncharmer · « **Reply #27 on:** 06 April 2010, 17:13:06 »

No need to be concerned just yet and some oils are worse for causing mayo apparently,castrol gtx being one i was told,and this oil is popular amongst the unenlightened middle aged folk like me,until educated.

coastie123 · « **Reply #28 on:** 06 April 2010, 17:20:15 »

OkILk

what oil shall I get?? A cheap one from the local auto shop or a decent more pricey one...

As you can imagine I'm getting it in the neck a bit from the other half as just bought the car!!!!

guncharmer · « **Reply #29 on:** 06 April 2010, 17:24:24 »

VX own brand 10/40 and then you can tell the missus all is fine and it just had the wrong oil in it, colmanns or something!

henryd · « **Reply #30 on:** 06 April 2010, 17:27:35 »

just change the oil and filter,if you are not losing coolant then you are good to go

coastie123 · « **Reply #31 on:** 06 April 2010, 17:59:06 »

Quote

VX own brand 10/40 and then you can tell the missus all is fine and it just had the wrong oil in it, colmanns or something!

I was thinking of tesco own brand or hellmans!!!

Will pop to vauxhall on Friday whilst she's out getting her hair cut!!!

How much oil will I need?? Will 5 litres be enough?? What about oil flush? Any flush

PhilRich · « **Reply #32 on:** 06 April 2010, 18:22:36 »

Don't use an oil flush!

, you will probably do more harm than good! The car is an unknown quantity as far as past servicing goes, so treat it with kid gloves to start with. I might be tempted to do an oil change with a relatively cheap oil and run it for say 500 miles?, then drain fully & refill with VX 10w x 40 to keep costs down?, although VX oil is reasonable on Trade Club I believe? I would also do a coolant drain & flush the system & heater matrix, before refilling with VX red coolant. Keep an eye on your coolant level for now, if it is steady with no sign of dropping, your HG is not responsible for the 'mayo'. IMO, this is as already stated, just down to poor/old oil, coupled with stop/start, short journeys.

Elite Pete · « **Reply #33 on:** 06 April 2010, 19:26:29 »

5.75 litres for the V6. If you send £20 and join the Autobahn Stormers you will get a trade card, then go and get your oil and filter, it will save you a lot of money in the long run

coastie123 · « **Reply #34 on:** 06 April 2010, 20:05:01 »

Quote

Don't use an oil flush! , you will probably do more harm than good! The car is an unknown quantity as far as past servicing goes, so treat it with kid gloves to start with. I might be tempted to do an oil change with a relatively cheap oil and run it for say 500 miles?, then drain fully & refill with VX 10w x 40 to keep costs down?, although VX oil is reasonable on Trade Club I
believe? I would also do a coolant drain & flush the system &
heater matrix, before refilling with VX red coolant. Keep an eye on your coolant level for now, if it is steady with no sign
of dropping, your HG is not responsible for the 'mayo'. IMO,
this is as already stated, just down to poor/old oil, coupled
with stop/start, short journeys.

ok will do...

I've just checked my coolant level and it's ok

the car does say check coolant but it all seems fine and there is definately no leaks any where...

I did notice that my spanner light us not lighting...

When I got the car it was working fine..... Could this be a fuse??? It's only just stopped working...

PhilRich · « **Reply #35 on:** 06 April 2010, 20:41:17 »

Quote

Quote
Don't use an oil flush! , you will probably do more harm than good! The car is an unknown quantity as far as past servicing goes, so treat it with kid gloves to start with. I might be tempted to do an oil change with a relatively cheap oil and run it for say 500 miles?, then drain fully & refill with VX 10w x 40 to keep costs down?, although VX oil is reasonable on Trade Club I
believe? I would also do a coolant drain & flush the system &
heater matrix, before refilling with VX red coolant. Keep an eye on your coolant level for now, if it is steady with no sign
of dropping, your HG is not responsible for the 'mayo'. IMO,
this is as already stated, just down to poor/old oil, coupled
with stop/start, short journeys.

ok will do...

I've just checked my coolant level and it's ok

the car does say check coolant but it all seems fine and there is definately no leaks any where...

I did notice that my spanner light us not lighting...

When I got the car it was working fine..... Could this be a fuse??? It's only just stopped working...

[/highlight]

coastie123 · « **Reply #36 on:** 06 April 2010, 20:44:18 »

By that I meant lights on ignition but goes off after 3-5 seconds but it's not lighting at all..... Which fuse will it be

PhilRich · « **Reply #37 on:** 06 April 2010, 20:44:35 »

Quote

Quote
Quote
Don't use an oil flush! , you will probably do more harm than good! The car is an unknown quantity as far as past servicing goes, so treat it with kid gloves to start with. I might be tempted to do an oil change with a relatively cheap oil and run it for say 500 miles?, then drain fully & refill with VX 10w x 40 to keep costs down?, although VX oil is reasonable on Trade Club I
believe? I would also do a coolant drain & flush the system &
heater matrix, before refilling with VX red coolant. Keep an eye on your coolant level for now, if it is steady with no sign
of dropping, your HG is not responsible for the 'mayo'. IMO,
this is as already stated, just down to poor/old oil, coupled
with stop/start, short journeys.

ok will do...

I've just checked my coolant level and it's ok

the car does say check coolant but it all seems fine and there is definately no leaks any where...

I did notice that my spanner light us not lighting...

When I got the car it was working fine..... Could this be a fuse??? It's only just stopped working...
[/highlight]

Can you clarify this? Was the 'spanner' light actually on constantly when you bought the car and has just now gone off or what? It is supposed to come on together with the emmissions light, ignition & brake check light when you turn on the ignition, but they all go out on startup and will then only come on when the engine is running if there is a fault.

coastie123 · « **Reply #38 on:** 06 April 2010, 20:56:29 »

When I bought the car it done the usual and comes on with ignition and then goes off as it was suppose to....

Now today it doesn't come on at all... Hope that makes more sense!!

Koomorph · « **Reply #39 on:** 06 April 2010, 22:33:30 »

My dad does regular short runs and there is always mayo in the filler..... like this:

I nearly crapped myself when I saw this first time.... but 3 months on and all is well, no coolant loss etc...

Wouldn't worry about HGF unless you notice that it's significantly going through coolant (or oil in the most extreme of cases).

Raf

coastie123 · « **Reply #40 on:** 06 April 2010, 22:42:50 »

Thanks for the piccy...

Mine is definately less than that....

I've given my filler cap another wipe over and I will check it tomorrow when I get to work at 1500...

PhilRich · « **Reply #41 on:** 06 April 2010, 22:45:02 »

Quote

When I bought the car it done the usual and comes on with ignition and then goes off as it was suppose to....

Now today it doesn't come on at all... Hope that makes more sense!!

Hmmm, not sure which fuse :-/ it could even be the dash bulb u/s?

coastie123 · « **Reply #42 on:** 06 April 2010, 22:55:05 »

I will check that when I do the oil change at weekend...

Let's hope it is either a fuse or a bulb...

I tend to worry more than I should!!!

albitz · « **Reply #43 on:** 07 April 2010, 00:23:38 »

you have just bought an Omega with unknown history. My experience suggests that you should spend possibly a couple of hundred quid (if possible) over the next month or so to get it right. you will then have a car which will probably be reasonably reliable.
Join ABS and get trade card.
Change oil & filter - and then every 4,000 miles.
Change coolant.
Cambelt/tensioners/waterpump - if history unknown
Air filter
Clean breathers
spark plugs
ATF and filter change
Brake fluid change
Check discs/pads/tyres.
Check camcover gaskets for leaks - this causes a chain reaction which knackers everything on the HT side of the ignition.

If oil cooler is on the way out you will start to see oil in coolant.
Mayo in filler neck - dont worry about it or as said, remove filler neck and store in the boot until needed.
HTH.

coastie123 · « **Reply #44 on:** 07 April 2010, 10:07:39 »

Thanks for all the replies....

Will start with the oil and filter change at weekend...

Once again I will report back at somepoint with anything....

Regards

Shaun

coastie123 · « **Reply #45 on:** 07 April 2010, 22:03:37 »

So far so good....

Checked filler neck and cap and no Mayo!!

I've got 6 litres of carlube 10w40 semi synthetic oil and a Bosch oil filter from eurocarparts and the change will be done Friday afternoon weather permitting...

I'm going to do a coolant change aswell as it's looking a bit murky but will use a coolant fom the local auto shop for now so I can keep an eye on it then on the next oil change in 4000 miles I will change the coolant again and use vauxhalls coolant and oil....

One question though, where will I get dash bulbs from??? Will I be able to get themfrom the local auto shop or will I have to goto vauxhall for them??

Rog the Dodge · « **Reply #46 on:** 07 April 2010, 22:17:14 »

You might want to get a new sump washer as well .

coastie123 · « **Reply #47 on:** 08 April 2010, 00:14:39 »

I take it these can be purchased from the auto shop aswell as instrument bulbs???

Sorry for the daft q's!!!!

Rog the Dodge · « **Reply #48 on:** 08 April 2010, 10:29:25 »

Yeah, i should think they will have them, i would buy one of each(copper &rubber) just in case you get the wrong one !!!
Unless you already know what is on your car of course.
If not then Edens is only 15 miles away,nice helpfull chaps there.

coastie123 · « **Reply #49 on:** 08 April 2010, 11:38:00 »

Cheers rog.......

Would it be the same for the dash bulbs??

coastie123 · « **Reply #50 on:** 08 April 2010, 21:37:10 »

Hi guys....another question for you...

My dash computer says I have approx 32miles left in the tank but my petrol light has just started to flash.... I have reset the range but it still says 32 miles.... Is the sensor packing up or is this correct as in the manual it says fill up immediately!!!!

dad1uk · « **Reply #51 on:** 08 April 2010, 21:41:52 »

The flashing light is a final warning to put fuel in ASAP.
I can assure you it doesn't pay to run a car this low. It means you are picking up the stuff from the bottom of the tank. Personally I don't run below a quarter of a tank.

PhilRich · « **Reply #52 on:** 08 April 2010, 21:56:27 »

Quote

The flashing light is a final warning to put fuel in ASAP.
I can assure you it doesn't pay to run a car this low. It means you are picking up the stuff from the bottom of the tank. Personally I don't run below a quarter of a tank.

Whoa!, don't panic the guy any more than he may be!

Every car is different! On some, the warning light may come on at 35 miles, on another at 25 miles, on another it may be 15? In my case it comes on between 32 & 30 miles range. In practice, when it does come on, it is telling you the fuel level is 'very low', but you will actually have a minimum of 1.5 & 2.0 gallons still in the tank. When the fuel level falls to 'critical', i.e. you are going to run out 'anytime now', it flashes continuously. It is fair to say that you should not run the tank low as a rule, because as already mentioned you run the risk of dragging up the accumulated crap in the bottom of the tank, and if done on a regular basis, you will block the fuel filter sooner rather than later! Just remember , when the warning light comes on, refuel ASAP, don't leave it until next payday

coastie123 · « **Reply #53 on:** 08 April 2010, 22:09:13 »

I have just put fuel in...

I was just checking just incase it was a possible faulty sensor...

I now have 3/4 of a tank!!

coastie123 · « **Reply #54 on:** 09 April 2010, 17:18:00 »

Just an update...

Coolant change and oil + filter changed...

Before I done the change I noticed a slight whine/whistle noise and it reduced when slowing down - would this be the ATF fluid that's low or needs changing? It's only just started to do it....

News:

Author Topic: Darth or James please..... (Read 4839 times)

feeutfo

albitz