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181

General Car Chat / Ok, I can officially put this 0-60 'dangle berries' to rest

« on: 04 August 2015, 18:07:33 »

So, taking in all the advice on the forum I did a 0-60 test today. Two major differences. . .

1) I timed it using the video recorder on my phone instead of trying to press the cars stopwatch just as I floor it 

2) I foolishly only realised when swmbo pointed it out...that the road I usually use for testing. . . Has an incline 

So. I'll upload the 0-60 video later as I'm at work at the mo. But it was awesome. . . I need to look at it against a device that read tenths of seconds but worst case scenario its 9.5. 

Very happy bear.

I assumed the slight incline wouldn't make a difference. Wrong! Plus also being able to look at it on vid is a lot easier so I can concentrate on flooring it.

So sorry for all the 'dangle berries' I been chatting lately. . . It appears my omegas doing fine   

. . . . Still may check out the chip tho 

182

Omega General Help / Anyone used allgermanparts for cambelt?

« on: 03 August 2015, 18:22:42 »

it says powergrip is the timing belt by Gates.....

http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/default/car-parts/belt-drive/timing-belt-set/timing-belt-set-453.html

Anyone used these as need to order a new kit. last contitech one squeaking like a b*tch!

183

General Car Chat / not wanting to bombard with threads but.....

« on: 03 August 2015, 18:14:59 »

....I was talking to a customer the other day who was impressed by the omega and how tidy it is 

he then says ''the reason you don't see many of them around is cos they have weak bottom ends''.  obviously I cant tell a customer theyre talking out of their a/se but is there any truth in this?

the only time ive heard the omega having bottom end trouble is when its been turbocharged. would you agree?

184

General Car Chat / Was well impressed...

« on: 03 August 2015, 17:51:49 »

So, I left the garage at around 4.30 last Thursday. One of the other guys stays 'til 6.30 as he starts later.

This car came in for  a  timing chain just as I was leaving.....a nice Merc A Class.

Was very impressed when I walked in the next morning and in that 2 hours he'd dropped the engine with the subframe on to the stabds ready for the timing chain replacement. (the odd shape of thisengine means it cant be done in situ)...it took us an hour to getthe crank bolt out and 3 of us!

apologies for the quality of the images but the engine is on its side almost. when he'd got the chain cover off it was clear the chain had been rubbing as there were gauges on the chains cover  and there was loooads of back and forth play in the chan and guides. that coulda been disaster!

185

General Car Chat / Acceleration gains... any other tips?

« on: 03 August 2015, 17:22:14 »

Hi guys, hope you're all well.

For some time now I've been looking at ways of improving the acceleration of the old girl (the Omega that is  ) and I'd like to share with you a list of things I've done and potentially some ideas to get it even nippier off the line.

I was told ages ago not to listen to 0-60 times as they are, well, complete 'dangle berries'! I now agree with that. I swear the times in Parkers and the like are simply made up as they list my car in exact same guise as 9.5 seconds and 9.2 for the same engine and spec 

Anyway, a while ago I went to TB's (can't remember what for) and he drove the car and his verdict was it felt a bit underpowered. knowing he always drives like it's stolen I knew I had to look at that further.

The problem, after many hours on the forum, was found to be a duff vacuum box at the front. Got a new one and it really seemed faster. Was very pleased,

Anyway since then I regularly check the vacuum lines, the operation of the multirams, I've checked the vac lines are in the right order as it's clear that's very important. I've done compression tests (all spot on), I've replaced ht leads, coilpacks, replaced cam covergaskets when theres been a load of oil in the wells, ive kept the breathers clean, changed a faulty crank snsor, etc etc.

I'd say the biggest thing I've done to affect the performance though is to actually drive it fast! clearly theauto box haspicked up my ''new'' style of driving and it feel really quick. im enjoying that.

anyways, ive been considering a chip for some time but to be honest the price well exceeds the gains after reading peoples reviews so im not going to bother.

this may sound a really retarded question.....but ive got budget tyres on all 4 corners. and they're pretty much all nearing replacement (3 are on 3mm and 1 is on 2mm). would buying a decent set of tyres improve the acceleration? would the low-ish tread take away any performance? would anything in the suspension set up affect acceleration?

your thoughts always welcome. 

186

General Car Chat / More timing belt questions (Ford Duratec 1.6 16v)

« on: 19 July 2015, 15:46:06 »

So. Going to be doing ma's ford fusion (2006 duratec 1.6 16v) timing belt on Thursday / Friday at the garage. Im checking on Monday that they've got the lock kit but if not im going to have to order one.

is this the bad boy I need....

https://www.toolstoday.co.uk/sealey-petrol-engine-setting-locking-kit-1-25-1-4-1-6-1-8-2-0-2?gclid=CjwKEAjwla2tBRDY7YK9uKXe8R8SJAAhG6LGPbyYub_0nMMZbwPm7hBG5tGroT0uro58HnTZRJUeDRoCNnDw_wcB

also wtf is that pin with the round end for??

finally should I be buy a fly wheel lock tool to bust the crank bolt loose? im hopingv the indy gun will be enough but if not.....

finally finally....do you get plastic tools with the new aux belt as its one of those stretch belts?

187

General Car Chat / The 'rude boy' thread innit (coilovers and wheel spacers)

« on: 18 July 2015, 20:55:32 »

No don't worry I haven't bought a 'max power' magazine and going to pimp my ''mega'' and all that ghetto shite 

however, had a bmw 3 series come in yesterday for rear brakes and coilover adjustment.... was quite interesting as ive never adjusted these before.

so begrudgingly I suppose I should take the time to figure out how to adjust these properly in case a car comes in wanting it done.

so we'll take the first image google provided 



my understanding is that where the green dot is...that's the locking ring for once you've done your adjustment?
red you turn to the left to lower the ride height, blue you turn to the right to higher the ride height. correct?

I think theres a similar principle with the rears?

so, now weve got that out of the way (cant stand mods personally but each to his own)........who thinks lowered cars look good? I think it makes cars look shite in my opinion. yeahwe can talk about suspension/alignment affects but as im never going to do it I don't care about that.... the look of them, whos thinking they look cool? and why?

and wheel spacers??? wtf are they about (this car had them on just the front only) why!!!!!???!!!! I get that theyre for the ''wider'' look but again how on earth does that make it look good?

discuss!

(ps my moneys on gixer being first poster about extra load on bearings, suspension etc  sorry gix couldn't resist

188

Omega General Help / 2000 Omega 2.5 v6 timing belt marks...

« on: 18 July 2015, 16:50:05 »

I ordered a timing belt kit many moons ago that had the cam and crank marks on but they didn't line up with said cam and crank marks on the engine 

has someone got a link to a contitech kit that a.) has the marks in the correct place and b.) will have the correct backing plate (this not so critical as I know I can swap the tensioner and idler to my existing backplate).

I also know you can do the timing belt without these.....but after my experience a few years ago  im not taking any more chances.

tia 

189

General Car Chat / Any recommendations on circling pliers?

« on: 18 July 2015, 13:26:13 »

Was in the local hardware store earlier and I nearly purchased a set of draper circlip pliers that have changeable heads to provide different sizes and also the one tool does external and internal clips (forgive my terminology but you know what I mean lol)

However the metal was uber thin and as I'll be using them on bearings I ned something sturdy as I've known those clips to be really hard.

So I didn't buy them.

Is there a good quality / reasonably priced all in one tool or am I better getting a set?

190

General Car Chat / Vx Cresta, VIva, Velox etc.

« on: 12 July 2015, 20:46:21 »

As per my pics in the meets/gatherings section I think I may have fallen for one of the above.

Do these come up for sale very often? A quick search of the trader doesn't provide anything.

I noticed that behind one of the Velox's laid a small metal box. 'What's that'? My mum asked. 'I get closer. 'It looks like a differential' I say. Just as I'm explaining roughly what a diff is for I noticed a gear stick coming out of it  I never knew gearboxes went that small.

So anyway. . . I appreciate looking after the body of an old classic would be hard work. But I'm presuming that from a mechanical work point it's stupidly easy, especially with gearboxes the size of a tin of beans lol however I presume that getting parts is a pain?

Finally one thing I did notice (bear in mind I wasn't around in the fifties or sixties) was how the crestas had a definite american fifties caddy look. Is this because of the American GM links? Anyone got any interesting history trivia?

191

General Car Chat / 2005 Renault Megane Scenic - where are the A/C recharge points?

« on: 12 July 2015, 15:56:20 »

As above I can find what appears to be the low pressure line and it's Schrader valve, but I'm damned if I an find the other one.

Anyone any idea?

ps LP line runs right about the timing belt cover and is easily visible

192

General Car Chat / Buying tools in the USA

« on: 08 July 2015, 17:59:11 »

Evening chaps,

I have to confess I've purchased some Snap-on stuff recently  Stupidly expensive but i got a set of 10-20mm 0 degree loooong wrenches. The whole buying process is in my opinion stupid. I got to register an account with them and you gotta wait fir one guy to turn up (whenever he likes) and seemingly wint come out of his way to deliver them. anyway...

Got a trip to the states in September and I'm wanting to know if Snap-on tools are sold in the ''auto-part stores''? If so I may have to indulge as I assume they'll be a lot cheaper?

anyone?

193

General Car Chat / Carbon build up on valves PLUS intake plenum 'gunge'

« on: 05 July 2015, 23:21:44 »

Carbon build up on valves can cause power loss due to it acting as a restriction to flow (and presumably volume if air). valve ''jobs'' are done to ''de-coke'' valves. that I get.

I remember I posted a thread ages ago about some crazy dude who thought pouring water in to the inlet would de-coke his engine and in that same thread we deduced that the omega engine wouldn't have built up carbon. that's fine.

when I stripped the top end down on my car I found the valves to have some black stuff on but it was more like a ''thin layer'' of what was hard burned stuff as opposed to the hideous photos you can find online of what look like valves dipped in a pot of caviar!!! lol

so anyway my question....

will this ''thin layer'' affect performance? if not why not?

and finally, the last time I had myinlet plenum of it looked liked it was all burned inside (black crap build up)...will this affect performance by reducing the amount of air we can cram in?

194

Omega General Help / Fuel pump question

« on: 05 July 2015, 17:44:33 »

What is it in the omega's fuel system that maintains fuel pressure after you've switched the car off?

I'm aware that some have a one-way ''check'' valve in but I think someone mentioned a while ago that the omega pump doesn't have one...so what does it have to maintain fuel pressure?

195

General Discussion Area / Driving in the states

« on: 30 June 2015, 21:28:54 »

Last time I drove in the states I'm sure it was just my driver license I needed. Speaking to someone at work and they mentioned this may have changed.

Any idea what's needed?