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46

Omega General Help / Re: Diesel OIL in a v6 petrol

« on: 10 September 2009, 12:45:12 »

I use VX recommended semi 10w-40 in my TD, the same stuff most of you put in you petrol engines. Should I be using a diesel oil?

Mick

The Vauxhall stuff is designed for both Mick

Yeah - I was suprised when I was handed the same oil across the counter when I switched from TD to V6.

47

Omega General Help / Re: Problems after changing cam cover gaskets?

« on: 09 September 2009, 07:19:27 »

When I changed my Cam Cover gaskets there was a fair bit of smoke - it crept up from under the bonnet right in front of the windscreen.  Had me worried for about 3 days but stopped and was fine for months (I used a VW Beetle as a brake which ruined things a bit).

Leads reconnected in the right order?  Mine ran realllllly badly after getting some leads mixed up - not good late on a Sunday evening when you need the car 7.00am Monday morning.  Still - nothing a 6am rise, a torch wedged in my teeth and some incessant dribbling didn't sort out

48

Omega General Help / Re: Self Leveling Shocks or Standard?

« on: 14 August 2008, 20:59:37 »

I had self levellers.  Replaced with standard shockers and new springs.  I tow a caravan pikey wagon and it sits just fine.  Can't imagine you'd have much bother with an LPG tank (especially if it's mounted up against the rear seats as that's in front of the rear axle meaning there's no additional leverage.

I replaced shocks from VX (think it was around the 70 quid mark on Trade) and I bought springs for £50 (for both) on fleabay.

It's an easy job to change 'em, but make sure you have a decent jack to hold the diff (I nearly had to catch the lot whilst under the car - just happened to have a spare jack to hand when things got dicey - and that diff weighs a bloody ton).

Also, I found that that the springs had to be compressed slightly to get them into the right position - I used a vice and lots of wire wrapped round to hold it.  Got it in and cut the wire.)  Bit cowboy but did the trick.

Compressor runs 'nout else and has been unplugged from mine for two years (including when I actually had the self levelling shocks).  My rear end, if you pardon the expression, just got stuck in the air all the time.  I disconnected the wiring from the compressor itself (I think the fuse may connect to something else - but that's from a distant memory).

Wishbones I did from fleabay too - but I got a garage to put them on as I didn't have the time.

It's very satisfying changing the springs and shocks though - have fun!

49

Omega General Help / Re: LOST THE OIL CAP, lots of smoke

« on: 10 November 2008, 12:44:55 »

Wasn't my Miggy - I learnt that lesson on a Volvo.  The mig gets a bit more love and attention that the previous shed on wheels.

50

Omega General Help / Re: LOST THE OIL CAP, lots of smoke

« on: 10 November 2008, 12:43:44 »

I'm ashamed to say that I've been there, done that and got the T-shirt (covered in oil) to prove it.

Quick top up before having to go to work prior to a 200 miles drive in the evening.  Got 3/4 the way to work when smoke billowed out from uner the bonnet.  Pulled in, lifted the lid to take a look.  Oil all over everything.

Decided to 'sod it' and drove to work anway with no cap.  Smoke pouring from the bonnet and not one person even waved.  Parked it at work and it looked like it was on fire.  Again - didn't seem to draw any attention.
Bought oil, and a new cap at lunchtime.  Refilled and drove off after work.  Stank of oil, but as long as I was going over 60 the smoke didn't seem too bad.  

200 miles later... oil had mostly burned off.  

51

Omega General Help / Re: Replacing Cam Cover Gaskets - How Difficult Is It?

« on: 27 October 2008, 12:53:02 »

do you know roughly how long this takes to do, for a first timer. Thanks

I started at about 11am and finished by 4.30pm.  I took ages over everything though.

I reckon I could half that now.  Just getting familiar with the way everything comes apart and goes back together makes a massive difference.  I'm sure others on the forum would be counting time in minutes and not hours.

52

Omega General Help / Re: Replacing Cam Cover Gaskets - How Difficult Is It?

« on: 26 October 2008, 19:57:44 »

Dealers definitely sell the gaskets all seperately.  They probably won't have them in stock though.  Or is that just my dealer - never has anything in.

53

Omega General Help / Re: Replacing Cam Cover Gaskets - How Difficult Is It?

« on: 26 October 2008, 19:55:04 »

I'd go for it - I'm not that clued up on engines and I managed.  I spent a fairly long time over it though, double checking everything on the way.  Just take your time, and be prepared for the air to turn blue when you do the passenger side - definitely do the drivers side second.  It's much more rewarding that way round.
I didn't move the scuttle - maybe the wires would move further if I had done?  Still, I got the passenger side one in place on about the 6th attempt.

Don't buy all the gaskets in the How To - just the necessary ones.  There's one set which will set you back 60 odd quid which you don't need.

Buy a can of carb cleaner from halfrauds to clear the breathers.  I did the throttle body while I was in there too.

LABEL ALL THE LEADS!!!  I did, badly, and then had a right carry on involving a very early rise the next day to take the plenum off again to rearrange most the leads to get the car to turn over again.

Go for it - and best of luck.  I have to say that the only reason I did it myself was that I knew where to come to get help (and judging by the 'Top 10 Saddo Oofers' - it's a round the clock service  )

54

Omega General Help / Re: Rear parcel shelf cut out

« on: 21 October 2008, 23:09:15 »

My '99 CDX ain't got the holes - solid shelf.  I was wondering about how to cut the holes too.  Think it's going to be messy

55

Omega General Help / Re: 2.2 or V6

« on: 28 October 2008, 12:56:34 »

I was also conscious of having to tow with it, and thought if it couldn't pull itself along at any rate then it would struggle dragging a pikey wagon too.

56

Omega General Help / Re: 2.2 or V6

« on: 28 October 2008, 12:55:38 »

I drove a 2.2 Facelift after having had a 2.5TD and didn't like it.  Felt HUGELY underpowered.  The Omega is a big heavy car that feels very mismatched to the 2.2 I drove.
Went and drove a 2.5V6 and was sold instantly.  I miss the economy of the TD (and in a sad way the way it used to sound like a bus or a coach, and not a car from inside), but there's a much nicer roar when you put your foot down in the V6.

57

Omega General Help / Re: How many miles can you do on the red light

« on: 20 October 2008, 20:37:55 »

I got into single figures in my tractor before I got to the petrol station  

Managed to roll onto a forecourt when I had a Nova  

58

Omega General Help / Re: Switchgear - interchangeable with other VX's?

« on: 20 October 2008, 12:49:33 »

...and if you'd gone to the stealers they'd have still probably charged you £80 for the privilege.  

I like the easy fixes!

59

Omega General Help / Re: I need of help with Cover Gaskets

« on: 17 October 2008, 12:32:32 »

Check to see whether both sides are at fault.  You may only need to replace one side - half the price  

As other people have echoed on the topic before - Genuine VX gaskets are the only way to go if you don't want to repeat the job in the near future.  It's false economy otherwise (listening to the advice of everyone else on here about the job).  I've only done mine recently.  I think it was about 28 quid + vat for the gaskets for one side.  Black gunge required for the corners wasn't that much.  I wouldn't bother with the other gaskets (as I found out to my expense).

It's time consuming for the first time through, but if I could do it I reckon most people could.  I'm a spannering newbie.  

60

Omega General Help / Re: Firing Order (2.5 V6)

« on: 13 October 2008, 19:44:24 »

Well, maybe I jumped to conclusions.  I drove to work, bit of smoke at traffic lights, and a light wisp hanging around the engine bay once parked up and stopped.
Drove home.  No smoke.  Lifted bonnet.  Engine smells hot, but it would - it's just been hammered through the country lanes.

What's the chances there was just a bit of residue from sealant or oil burning off after the cover changes?