Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Ruben CR on 30 March 2013, 18:16:08
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Hi guys!
I'm new here because I've bought a 2.5V6 Elite estate a couple of months ago.
When I got it there was a leaking noise from what I think is the exaust manifold.
Yesterday it all went south... >:(
Display said: Check oil level.
I stopped, opened the oil cap and was received by a lovely "double cream" sludge on the cap.
Am I right to assume head gasket went bye-bye?
How much could something like this cost to repair?
I really didn't want to see her go, I'm really getting to like my golden boat...
Thanks
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Hi guys!
I'm new here because I've bought a 2.5V6 Elite estate a couple of months ago.
When I got it there was a leaking noise from what I think is the exaust manifold.
Yesterday it all went south... >:(
Display said: Check oil level.
I stopped, opened the oil cap and was received by a lovely "double cream" sludge on the cap.
Am I right to assume head gasket went bye-bye?
How much could something like this cost to repair?
I really didn't want to see her go, I'm really getting to like my golden boat...
Thanks
Normal if it does mainly short journeys, especially if it's been serviced with crappy oils.
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Hmmm
8 - 10 miles a day to go to work, so not a lot.
As for the oil I wouldn't know.
Head gasket looks to be right then, is it?
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Do you have any other symptoms or have you just had an oil level warning and seen the mayo when you went to top up the oil?
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No overheating, but I did top-up coolant a couple of weeks ago.
Some black drips in the exaust a couple of days ago.
What other symptoms should I look for?
It struggles to start some mornings
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You need to find where the leak is coming from. It is unlikely to be the HG as they are pretty good on these cars More likely to be one of the usual suspects (HBV, Oil cooler plate, cooler pipes, etc)
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Unlikey to be HG.
Sounds like a coolant leak and an oil leak
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Ok
How do I look for those?
I'm not all geared up to do "big surgery" on the thing :-[
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A failed head gasket is quite rare on the V6s, unlike what most cowboy garages would have you believe. All we seem to have at the moment are mayo in the oil filler which is common and a possible water leak. The heater bypass valve is the most common site for that, especially if the leak varies depending on the setting of the heater controls. If it leaks more or less depending whether your heater is set to hot or cold it's usually the HBV (a valve that causes hot coolant to bypass the heater matrix which lives at the back of the offside cylinder head). Poor starting could be down to many causes not just a head gasket failure. Drips from the exhaust are quite likely to be condensation. So I can't really say it is or it isn't but from what you've said so far there's a lot of things it could be before jumping on a HG change. Is there any mayo on the dipstick?
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Send a PM to "Entwood" (Nigel). He`s local to you and may be able to cast his eye over it.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1316
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The heater stopped working a week ago. Keeps blowing the 30amp fuse, so I have no control over the setting. I got a "new" control unit to see if it solves the problem.
When it did work, I never got hot air out of it, no matter the setting.
As for the dipstick, I'll check it in a couple of minutes.
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blocked heater matrix can cause an over pressure at the pipe unions going though the firewall resulting in a slow leak.
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Ok, check the dip stick. No mayo-creamy sludge there.
The coolant level was low again and brown instead of clear pink.
Does this change anything?
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read my thread-good friday- :y
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Oil cooler has gone. The heater matrix has probably been gunked up by it.
The oil sits at a higher pressure than the coolant so you get hot sludge in the coolant which boils it and it finds the easiest way out of the coolant system which could be the filler cap (it is made to open a bit once it over pressures) or it could find a weakness in the coolant system (such as the hbv or a pipe)
You need to change the oil cooler and flush the system like a man possessed. Or find someone else to do it for you.
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Oil cooler has gone. The heater matrix has probably been gunked up by it.
The oil sits at a higher pressure than the coolant so you get hot sludge in the coolant which boils it and it finds the easiest way out of the coolant system which could be the filler cap (it is made to open a bit once it over pressures) or it could find a weakness in the coolant system (such as the hbv or a pipe)
You need to change the oil cooler and flush the system like a man possessed. Or find someone else to do it for you.
still bet its head gaskets IMHO :y
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Why?
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Hello and welcome as others here have said not likely to be HG more like oil cooler if you have oil in water, and seeing as you just got it I would say it needs a good service as you don't rweally know how it has been serviced so it could just have been neglected, :y
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Nackered oil cooler mate - all the symptoms match :y
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fitted new oil cooler to mine-problem still there-as said h/g can go BUT engine runs because of fire ring-however oil can mix with coolant-check my thread-good friday if you dont beleive h/g can go :y
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Ok, check the dip stick. No mayo-creamy sludge there.
The coolant level was low again and brown instead of clear pink.
Does this change anything?
classic signs of neglect so I expect cooler is likely cause :y mine was that colour when I got it and it was the cooler, it isn't an expensive item and can be done by somebody that knows their way around a car there are posts here in the guides that are very helpfull :y :y
Just make sure you get a genuine one though around £170 with all the bits needed. :y
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fitted new oil cooler to mine-problem still there-as said h/g can go BUT engine runs because of fire ring-however oil can mix with coolant-check my thread-good friday if you dont beleive h/g can go :y
HGs do go but usually when the coolant mixture has been neglected for a long period, such as when there is a coolant leak. Oil cooler problems if left unchecked can do this... In my case this is what happened. The previous owner ran the car wih a blown oil cooler and just topped it up. It not only diluted the coolant causing corrosion of the HGs but also clogged up the coolant passages in the heads causing eventual constant overheating.
http://oldsite.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1310221033/0 (http://oldsite.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1310221033/0)
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Why keep guessing?
Coolant pressure test followed by a cylinder pressure test.
If the oil cooler is suspected, it can be simply tested once removed.
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here's the link to how to do oil cooler. :y http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90596.msg1155493#msg1155493
and plenum removal http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90657.msg1155620#msg1155620 :y
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You guys rock.
Now all I need to do is break it gently to the mrs.
This might take a bit of time. Problem is no garage so I'm out in the driveway.
As soon as I have any news I'll post them.
Thanks
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Most of us do all this kind of stuff on our driveways, wrap up warm and drink loads of tea.
Dont forget the crows foot socket, all the gasket compounds (make sure it's Vauxhall) and you MUST wait 24 hours for the compounds to set before refilling it with coolant :y
Andyc is a great source of Vx parts at trade price which will make a difference with this part.
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I have done alot of head gaskets...like already said a water pressure test may help to find your water loss without guessing :y
The amount of garages Vauxhall included diagnose head gasket problems for the most ridiculous problem's. ..believe me and others on here when we say this. .. se have seen and heard every problem there is don't forget..
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Ok, check the dip stick. No mayo-creamy sludge there.
The coolant level was low again and brown instead of clear pink.
Does this change anything?
classic signs of neglect so I expect cooler is likely cause :y mine was that colour when I got it and it was the cooler, it isn't an expensive item and can be done by somebody that knows their way around a car there are posts here in the guides that are very helpfull :y :y
Just make sure you get a genuine one though around £170 with all the bits needed. :y
Around £100 for the kit on TC :y
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Thanks guys.
Being Easter I haven't done anything to it yet apart keeping an eye out to what you good ppl tell me.
What/Where is this TC?
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TC is Vauxhall Trade Club. For the bits you may be after, see the Recommended suppliers thread towards the bottom of the home page. Andyc will see you right. :y
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You're very local - PM sent.
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On to this one late as been away with the tin tent :) PM sent with phone number if you wish to call and chat .. :) more than happy to have a look if we can work out a suitable time :)
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Been out to see this one .... IMHO there is very little wrong with it.... :) that a few quick oil changes and a good breather clean won't fix
Oil .. a bit black but no sign of water/mayo on the dipstick
Oil .. definite "blow" of fumes from the dipstick hole once dipstick removed
Filler cap ... well gunged with mayo, but car only does 4 miles to work each day, a small amount of "blow" of fumes
Water ... header tank brown with age, but the contents clear and no sign of any oily globules/residue
Water pressure after running to temp about what I'd expect, so no leak from header cap/neck, and no obvious signs of a leak elsewhere.
HBV ... felt dry but unable to "exercise" it as the CC panel is U/S and blowing fuses :(
Air leak... sounds like a small air leak somewhere around the plenum, but I couldn't find anything drastic
Cam belt ... overdue, advised Ruben to contact James as although I have the kit I won't do someone else's .. :)
So, not a lot wrong that I can see. I've told Ruben that if James doesn't do the breathers/oil when he gets the cam-belt done that I'll do them for him one weekend .. hopefully that will get it all sorted :)
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Been out to see this one .... IMHO there is very little wrong with it.... :) that a few quick oil changes and a good breather clean won't fix
Oil .. a bit black but no sign of water/mayo on the dipstick
Oil .. definite "blow" of fumes from the dipstick hole once dipstick removed
Filler cap ... well gunged with mayo, but car only does 4 miles to work each day, a small amount of "blow" of fumes
Water ... header tank brown with age, but the contents clear and no sign of any oily globules/residue
Water pressure after running to temp about what I'd expect, so no leak from header cap/neck, and no obvious signs of a leak elsewhere.
HBV ... felt dry but unable to "exercise" it as the CC panel is U/S and blowing fuses :(
Air leak... sounds like a small air leak somewhere around the plenum, but I couldn't find anything drastic
Cam belt ... overdue, advised Ruben to contact James as although I have the kit I won't do someone else's .. :)
So, not a lot wrong that I can see. I've told Ruben that if James doesn't do the breathers/oil when he gets the cam-belt done that I'll do them for him one weekend .. hopefully that will get it all sorted :)
Good news :y :y :y :y
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Hello and welcome as others here have said not likely to be HG more like oil cooler if you have oil in water, and seeing as you just got it I would so it say it needs a good service as you don't really know how it has been serviced would just have been neglected, :y
:y :y
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First, Entwood thank you for coming down to see the golden boat :)
It really was a relief to have someone that knows this car look and say: a good service and your fine!
And kevinp58 you can't imagine how happy I am that you were right :y
I'm starting to think that getting this car was a good call 8)
Now all I need is for JamesV6CDX to come down to do the timing belt and sleeping at night will be easy (at least for me, the damn kid will still be a big job ;D)
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Well this weekend we had a small go at this one .... got to be one of the most ill-treated engines I've ever had the misfortune to meet ... :( Not Rubens fault he's only had it 2 months !!
Plan was to do breathers/plugs/oil change ....
Removed oil filler tube, top end absolutely crammed with gunge, but clear as a bell at the bottom... 5 minute job to clean that one .....
On removing the throttle body .. my heart plummeted, on removing the plenum and the breather pipes I was nearly in tears .... :(
Plan instantly changed to just breathers/oil change .... plugs/camcovers will have to be done another time.
It took Ruben nearly 20 minutes just to clean the two pipes into the breather box.. :( A wire coathanger (suitably bent and chopped) was needed to clear the actual rubber breather pipes before carb cleaner could even get started !!
Throttle body needed nitromors/wire wool, and on the inside of the plenum nitromors wasn't working, so we then resorted to using a power washer .....
Top breather box on the plenum was a 30 minutes effort alone ( coat hanger useful here as well .. :) !!
Eventually got things better than they were but not perfect - not helped by the fact it was now persisting down .. :(
Started it up and there is a small air leak sby the sounds of things, but spraying the last of the carb cleaner around nothing was obvious .. press down hard on the rear of the plenum and the sound goes ... so possibly the orange injector bracket to plenum seals ??? we didn't have any new ones .. once slightly warmed we moved on to ....
an oil change ...
Oil was black as tar, and the filter was so full of crud it had collapsed in on itself !! A few "lumpy bits" came out with the oil but got the job done OK
I've recommended another oil /filter change in 1000 miles as I think there is a fair amount of crap in the system, he needs the cambelt doing as its overdue, and the camcovers need doing so the plugs and the possible air leak could be sorted at the same time.
So we ended cold, wet, miserable .. but hopefully the engine will run a tad sweeter and just needs a little more TLC ...
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Well this weekend we had a small go at this one .... got to be one of the most ill-treated engines I've ever had the misfortune to meet ... :( Not Rubens fault he's only had it 2 months !!
Plan was to do breathers/plugs/oil change ....
Removed oil filler tube, top end absolutely crammed with gunge, but clear as a bell at the bottom... 5 minute job to clean that one .....
On removing the throttle body .. my heart plummeted, on removing the plenum and the breather pipes I was nearly in tears .... :(
Plan instantly changed to just breathers/oil change .... plugs/camcovers will have to be done another time.
It took Ruben nearly 20 minutes just to clean the two pipes into the breather box.. :( A wire coathanger (suitably bent and chopped) was needed to clear the actual rubber breather pipes before carb cleaner could even get started !!
Throttle body needed nitromors/wire wool, and on the inside of the plenum nitromors wasn't working, so we then resorted to using a power washer .....
Top breather box on the plenum was a 30 minutes effort alone ( coat hanger useful here as well .. :) !!
Eventually got things better than they were but not perfect - not helped by the fact it was now persisting down .. :(
Started it up and there is a small air leak sby the sounds of things, but spraying the last of the carb cleaner around nothing was obvious .. press down hard on the rear of the plenum and the sound goes ... so possibly the orange injector bracket to plenum seals ??? we didn't have any new ones .. once slightly warmed we moved on to ....
an oil change ...
Oil was black as tar, and the filter was so full of crud it had collapsed in on itself !! A few "lumpy bits" came out with the oil but got the job done OK
I've recommended another oil /filter change in 1000 miles as I think there is a fair amount of crap in the system, he needs the cambelt doing as its overdue, and the camcovers need doing so the plugs and the possible air leak could be sorted at the same time.
So we ended cold, wet, miserable .. but hopefully the engine will run a tad sweeter and just needs a little more TLC ...
Sounds like a good job done :y :y :y
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Good stuff, well done Nige. :y
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Nigel was a massive help. And thank him (and all the OOF members for the help) I will for as long as I can remember.
Unfortunatly my boss decided he needs me in Germany so all that hard work and now it has to go... :(
I was gutted with the news that I needed to sell it (not using RHD on LHD country, tried it before and it went very wrong... Still haven't repaired that one, the poor thing)