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[jereboam]

I used to be a fairly active member of this forum, but I haven't been around for while, mainly because of some health issues, and partly because my wife complained that I was spending too much time on here.   So my apologies for dropping out of sight.

I've got some problems with my car that now need dealing with, 'cos ignoring them is just making them worse.  So, at the suggestion of my wife, believe it or not, I've come back to ask for help.  First off, does anyone know of a reasonably competent garage in the Ipswich area?  I'm too old and fat to be messing about under a car these days, and I was never much good at it anyway.  I used to have a very good place to go to, but he hated the Omega, made rude comments about it every time I took it in for a service, and then his prices started going up, so I fell out with him.

OK, so the problems are:

• The exhaust is blowing - there's a hole in the central box.  Kwik-fit say they need to replace the entire system, although the rest of it is in reasonable nick.
• The temperature gauge shows a lot of variation these days, but it always used to stay on 95^o.  Kwik-fit said it was some device at the back of the engine block that needed replacing and it was 2.5 hours work to change it as all sorts of bits had to be removed to get at it.
• The last bloke who worked on it replaced a track-rod end and left the steering wheel with a 10^o slant to the right, which annoys the hell out of me!
• I need some new rear tyres.  I've always fitted Pirelli P6000s and been satisfied with them, but they are a bit pricey, and they don't last all that well - a cheaper alternative might be a better idea for the rear - the P6000s on the front are OK for good few thousand yet.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on it at the moment, as I have my doubts about whether it will get through the next MOT - there are some signs of rust around the bottom of the door pillars, not to mention the wheel arches and doors, or the blue front bumper, or the broken "eyebrow" bit where the headlamp washers are mounted (they don't work), or the fact that the foglights aren't connected.  I had an accident last year on holiday.

Mind you, the car runs very well, and I use it every day, and it's still nice to drive (if a bit noisy).

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

[Dishevelled Den]

Lovely to see you again J - hope you're on top of the health issues.

[sandune]

Hiya Jereboam welcome back. sorry to hear you been having health issues so hope you ar5e well
Eternalcar exhausts are recommended for quality and price by a number of members .
Also a few will do a better job than garages so why not post a question?

[Lazydocker]

I'd recommend getting in touch with Daz (Darth Loo-Knee) as he's down in this neck of the woods for some work in a couple of weeks time

As suggested, Eternal exhausts are about the best after market ones around now and a complete system will set you back about the same as those cowboys you've been talking with would charge for a rear section

Finally, good to see you online again

[jereboam]

Eternal/Eternalcar seem to be eBay suppliers.  Amazingly cheap, but I've still got to find someone to fit it.  And, as I can't get under the car to inspect the system, I'm not sure exactly which bits I need.  I'm fairly sure it's just the central box, but what Kwik-fit actually said (and showed me) was that the pipes on either side were quite badly corroded, and might not survive cutting and welding (or whatever they needed to do).

I can't complain about the exhaust - it's been on the car since I got it nearly seven years ago - don't think I've ever had a car where the exhaust lasted that long! 

And I have to say it makes a very impressive noise 

[PhilRich]

I'd like to Second all the Welcome Backs, it's good to see you here again Jereboam & I hope your health problems are in check

[Kevin Wood]

.. and don't bother taking it to Kwik fit. Whilst it's entirely possible that it'll be needing a complete exhaust system, Kwik fit will be trained to claim that regardless so they can take more money and make the job easier for themselves.

To be honest, given the inability to work on it easily, and the fact that a complete system will be £130 ish from Eternal, I would just replace the whole lot.

The temperature - how is it varying? Does it stay stable on a long cruise but heat up in traffic or run too cool on a long run and normal in traffic? Does it lose coolant? Is the coolant in the reservoir clean and not oily?

If it hasn't had a decent flush and coolant change within the last 2 years that's the best place to start, but V6 thermostats don't last forever, so that might be a possibility, and would be an oil cooler failure. Then again, might just be a lose connection on the sensor.

Get someone like Daz to give it a once over and they'll soon spot any problems.

Steering wheel- just get an alignment done when you next buy tyres, but take it somewhere who do a decent job and not just check everything comes up "green".

[Martian]

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

I'd rather let a semi trained lab rat work on my car than Kwik $hit.
All they are trained to do is sell you brakes, tyres & exhausts at any cost (and that includes lying through their teeth to get the sale).

[jereboam]

TBH, I can't remember why I took the car to Kwik-fit in the first place.  It must have been for something relatively minor, as the bill came to less than £200, and they fixed everything I asked them to do except the temperature problem.  Can't find the bill to see what they they did.  Bloody Swiss cheese memory - don't know whether it's my age or all the medication - can't even remember why I'm taking some of the pills.

I don't know whether the temperature problem is real or a fault with the gauge/sensor.  It doesn't appear to be the thermostat - that's what I thought it was, but Kf, and the bloke who messed up my steering said it wasn't that.  It seems to take a long time to get to normal running temperature, then goes past it, then oscillates.  Doesn't overheat dramatically in traffic - I live in Suffolk, we don't have a lot - and doesn't overheat on a run - went to Chelmsford a few weeks ago, no idea why.

In fact, if it wasn't for the fact it didn't do this before, I don't think I'd be worried about it.  But we're off to Cornwall in July, and possibly Northumberland in August, so I think it needs to be sorted out.

The coolant seems OK - not losing any.  It never uses any oil - don't think I've ever topped it up between services.  And the oil is fairly clean, given that it's about due for a service.  It runs pretty well, I'd say, but performance is down a bit, probably because of the hole in the exhaust - I'm too embarrassed by the noise to use the accelerator.

[Kevin Wood]

It seems to take a long time to get to normal running temperature, then goes past it, then oscillates.  Doesn't overheat dramatically in traffic - I live in Suffolk, we don't have a lot - and doesn't overheat on a run -

That's starting to sound like the thermostat, especially if it's slow to warm up (2-5 miles or so should see it at normal temperature).

went to Chelmsford a few weeks ago, no idea why.

With you on that one.

[dbug]

Welcome back mate - hope you are recovering ok

Agree with Kevin - sounds like thermostat failed open.

[jereboam]

Yeah - sounds like thermostat to me too.  Or it would if I could hear anything over the roar of the exhaust.

If you look at my original post, you will see that the first thing I asked the forum was if anyone knew a reasonably competent garage round here!  Don't trust any of the ones I've used over the 18 years I've lived here.  Come to think of it, I never found a good garage in the 20 years I lived in Holland.  Or the 16 years I drove a car in London. 

I'll rephrase my question: anyone know a reasonably competent garage anywhere? 

I will PM Mr. Loo-Knee. 

[dbug]

Yeah - sounds like thermostat to me too.  Or it would if I could hear anything over the roar of the exhaust.

If you look at my original post, you will see that the first thing I asked the forum was if anyone knew a reasonably competent garage round here!  Don't trust any of the ones I've used over the 18 years I've lived here.  Come to think of it, I never found a good garage in the 20 years I lived in Holland.  Or the 16 years I drove a car in London. 

I'll rephrase my question: anyone know a reasonably competent garage anywhere? 

I will PM Mr. Loo-Knee.

 

[CaptainZok]

You won't go far wrong with Pinky, He's a bit weird but knows his way round a toolbox.

[bigbadee]

hi i pretty new on here and have only been in ipswich for just over 2 years have had a volvo in the past and the wife had a escort which needed welding for its mot we used a mobil mac who seems ok welded the escort up for £30 under sealed it as well when i had problems with the volvo he came and looked at it and as im handy with the spanners told me what he thought the problem was spent half a hour with the car and wouldnt take a penny so i have no doubts when the omega needs work he will be getting it found him on the net ipswich based and well worth a try his name is rick (a&c automotive)phone number 07826 617553 has a email but your better of to phone him

[jereboam]

Sorry to start this up again, but I just got a quote from the local exhaust and tyre centre for fixing the problems. 

He says that it needs two new middle boxes. If he can't successfully remove those without damaging the pipes to the rear box, that will have to be replaced too.  He says that the worst case cost will be about £290.

Does that sound reasonable?

Just remembered - haven't contacted Mr. Loo-Knee about the temperature sensor and service - better do it now.

[tunnie]

Sorry to start this up again, but I just got a quote from the local exhaust and tyre centre for fixing the problems. 

He says that it needs two new middle boxes. If he can't successfully remove those without damaging the pipes to the rear box, that will have to be replaced too.  He says that the worst case cost will be about £290.

Does that sound reasonable?

Just remembered - haven't contacted Mr. Loo-Knee about the temperature sensor and service - better do it now.

Not really, you can get both centre sections & back box from Eternal for about £120 

[jereboam]

Sorry to start this up again, but I just got a quote from the local exhaust and tyre centre for fixing the problems. 

He says that it needs two new middle boxes. If he can't successfully remove those without damaging the pipes to the rear box, that will have to be replaced too.  He says that the worst case cost will be about £290.

Does that sound reasonable?

Just remembered - haven't contacted Mr. Loo-Knee about the temperature sensor and service - better do it now.

Not really, you can get both centre sections & back box from Eternal for about £120 

Yeah, but I can't fit them myself!!!  And if I get a mechanic to do it, I've got no idea how much it will cost.

[tunnie]

Sorry to start this up again, but I just got a quote from the local exhaust and tyre centre for fixing the problems. 

He says that it needs two new middle boxes. If he can't successfully remove those without damaging the pipes to the rear box, that will have to be replaced too.  He says that the worst case cost will be about £290.

Does that sound reasonable?

Just remembered - haven't contacted Mr. Loo-Knee about the temperature sensor and service - better do it now.

Not really, you can get both centre sections & back box from Eternal for about £120 

Yeah, but I can't fit them myself!!!  And if I get a mechanic to do it, I've got no idea how much it will cost.

Get the exhaust, then visit a few local garages and ask how much to fit. Might do it for cash as a side job 

[jereboam]

Sorry to start this up again, but I just got a quote from the local exhaust and tyre centre for fixing the problems. 

He says that it needs two new middle boxes. If he can't successfully remove those without damaging the pipes to the rear box, that will have to be replaced too.  He says that the worst case cost will be about £290.

Does that sound reasonable?

Just remembered - haven't contacted Mr. Loo-Knee about the temperature sensor and service - better do it now.

Not really, you can get both centre sections & back box from Eternal for about £120 

Yeah, but I can't fit them myself!!!  And if I get a mechanic to do it, I've got no idea how much it will cost.

Get the exhaust, then visit a few local garages and ask how much to fit. Might do it for cash as a side job 

I don't actually know of any halfway competent garages round here - which was why I went to Kwik-fit in the first place.  I had a disagreement with best garage for miles as the bloke who runs it hates 3.0 GM engines, and spent 5 years being rude about my lovely car.  The other local garage is quite useless, and no-one I know has been able to recommend anywhere.  All my friends and neighbours are retired on good pensions and have newish cars or the younger element have company cars.  They go to main dealers.

[tunnie]

Sorry to start this up again, but I just got a quote from the local exhaust and tyre centre for fixing the problems. 

He says that it needs two new middle boxes. If he can't successfully remove those without damaging the pipes to the rear box, that will have to be replaced too.  He says that the worst case cost will be about £290.

Does that sound reasonable?

Just remembered - haven't contacted Mr. Loo-Knee about the temperature sensor and service - better do it now.

Not really, you can get both centre sections & back box from Eternal for about £120 

Yeah, but I can't fit them myself!!!  And if I get a mechanic to do it, I've got no idea how much it will cost.

Get the exhaust, then visit a few local garages and ask how much to fit. Might do it for cash as a side job 

I don't actually know of any halfway competent garages round here - which was why I went to Kwik-fit in the first place.  I had a disagreement with best garage for miles as the bloke who runs it hates 3.0 GM engines, and spent 5 years being rude about my lovely car.  The other local garage is quite useless, and no-one I know has been able to recommend anywhere.  All my friends and neighbours are retired on good pensions and have newish cars or the younger element have company cars.  They go to main dealers.

Not good 

Wonder if anyone here would be willing? Daz or Pete maybe, bit of a drive for them though 

[jereboam]

Thanks for all the advice, but I'll just have to bite the bullet and stump up the cash.  Mind you, I did find out one good thing this afternoon: it's not actually corroded around the bottom of the door pillars.  In fact, the paintwork is as good as new.  What happened was that when I was pointing out the rust on the corner of the driver's door to someone or other, I saw that the bottom of the door pillar was the same colour as the rusty bit.  Whel I had a closer look today, I realised that I'd been looking at the rubber trim which was covered in mud.  Ho hum!

Can anyone point me to a thread on buying tyres?  The search box didn't turn up anything useful.

[albitz]

I can recommend Earls Colne service centre,but its a bit of a trek from where you are. Adrian, the owner is a superb mechanic and doesnt charge main dealer rates.He has no qualms about working on Gm V6,s and actually knows all the niggles they have.Hes the only person  outside of this forum who ive met who knows that type of thing.

[jereboam]

28 miles and 42 minutes according to Google maps - not ideal, but worth thinking about. Do you think he'd fit the exhaust too?

Thanks for the suggestion.

[TheBoy]

I would still go the Eternal route, as many timex/bosal junk exhausts drone, but fortunately won't last their warranty period.

[TheBoy]

If you were closer, I'd fit the bugger for you. Free.

[jereboam]

That sentiment greatly appreciated, but rural Suffolk is the end of the universe - nobody comes here!  I was born in Hampstead and brought up in the West End.  How in Heaven's name did I end up here?

(Apologies to the esteemed member from Woodbridge and any other locals.)

[albitz]

28 miles and 42 minutes according to Google maps - not ideal, but worth thinking about. Do you think he'd fit the exhaust too?

Thanks for the suggestion.

Im sure he would.Not a difficult job when you have the car up on a lift.

[GmasterT]

If you can make it to Huntingdon, serek is the man

[albitz]

Good point. Serek is a top fella and knows his stuff.

[jereboam]

Ho hum! Another health interruption.  Actually, I'm fine - they just keep finding new things wrong with me.

Anyway, exhaust sytem now replaced - £215 inclusive from Fast-Fit on the Norwich Road in Ipswich.  Took them best part of an hour - very hard work - I'd never have been able to do it, even if I had lift, which I don't.  Nor a cutting torch, nor a big box of clamps and bolts - it would have been 10 minutes work, then off to Halfords for more bits, which would have been impossible, as I don't have access to another car these days.

Sounds OK - bit throatier than the old one - should outlast the rest of the car, and probably the driver.

Next stop, tyres.