Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: V6 CDX-er on 30 December 2017, 10:50:49

Title: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: V6 CDX-er on 30 December 2017, 10:50:49
As per the thread title chaps. What are the common obvious and hidden areas in which late model F/L Omegas tend to rust?

I've  done a forum search and the most recent thread on this topic that I could find was back in 2008, so I wondered if any more problem areas had become apparent?

As my old 2003 CDX was rust free, I'm a bit in the dark about this, although the rear arches and the bottom of the doors seems to be an often quoted area of concern. Anywhere else I need to look out for, especially hard to spot areas?

Also, do a lot of VX dealers still honour the Autobahnstormers trade card, and have the price of parts changed much in the last six years?

In advance, many thanks.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: tunnie on 30 December 2017, 11:06:19
Sills easily go... as per my thread from this month:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=141379.0 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=141379.0)
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: tunnie on 30 December 2017, 11:07:42
Estates the tail gates go in the centre at the top, wheel arches on saloons and estates can be a weak point as well at the rear.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 30 December 2017, 11:10:59
Also front chassis rails around where the subframe bolts on.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: V6 CDX-er on 30 December 2017, 11:19:33
Also front chassis rails around where the subframe bolts on.

Ah. That's not good.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: V6 CDX-er on 30 December 2017, 11:20:42
Sills easily go... as per my thread from this month:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=141379.0 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=141379.0)

Cheers Tunnie. I'll  have a read of that later on.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: Nick W on 30 December 2017, 11:48:44
Also front chassis rails around where the subframe bolts on.

Ah. That's not good.


every one I've looked at in the last couple of years has had crusty patches here. Which is much bigger problem than the outer sills and wheel arches that are most people's concern. Sills can be economically patched up for another couple of years use, or replaced properly for a longer lasting repair.


Considering that the rear suspension subframe mounts tie into the sill/wheel arch/floor/seatbelt mount, I would suggest thorough investigation there with your favourite pokey tool.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: Chazza12 on 31 December 2017, 06:34:26
the front part just in front of the radiator. jacking points (garage lift area) front.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: terry paget on 31 December 2017, 08:49:15
I had a rear shock absorber burst through into the boot still attached to its mounting. That was in a 2000 saloon, deemed beyond economic repairand promptly scrapped.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: tunnie on 31 December 2017, 11:44:35
I had a rear shock absorber burst through into the boot still attached to its mounting. That was in a 2000 saloon, deemed beyond economic repairand promptly scrapped.

Things like this put me off LPG’ing my 3.2.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: Andy B on 31 December 2017, 13:15:20
surely the simple answer is ......

everywhere  ::)
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: BazaJT on 31 December 2017, 13:18:18
It seems to be something of a "luck of the draw" situation.Mine recently failed the M.o.T. on rust where the subframe bolts on the rear arches are starting to go.However the doors are fine as are the damper top mounts in the boot[I've checked]what the sills are like I've no real idea as I've never had the covers off.Mines a year 2000 F/L saloon by the way.
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: tunnie on 31 December 2017, 13:37:59
It seems to be something of a "luck of the draw" situation.Mine recently failed the M.o.T. on rust where the subframe bolts on the rear arches are starting to go.However the doors are fine as are the damper top mounts in the boot[I've checked]what the sills are like I've no real idea as I've never had the covers off.Mines a year 2000 F/L saloon by the way.

Humm. Concerning subframe bolt area is that bad.   :(
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 31 December 2017, 13:40:25
It seems to be something of a "luck of the draw" situation.Mine recently failed the M.o.T. on rust where the subframe bolts on the rear arches are starting to go.However the doors are fine as are the damper top mounts in the boot[I've checked]what the sills are like I've no real idea as I've never had the covers off.Mines a year 2000 F/L saloon by the way.
Shock turrets rot from the outside in...

Clean and inspect carefully when replacing rear shocks... treat according to what you find...

Typical first impression...

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/IMG_20150426_141321_zpskiorxllj.jpg

Post cleaning...

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/IMG_20150426_161345_zpskrotxl7c.jpg

Post treated...

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/IMG_20150426_164524_zpstcnf5swx.jpg

Finish with stonechip and reassemble ;)

Saloons much more prone to rot here by design... estate rear shocks are mounted much further inboard and simply don't get caked in as much shite :y
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: TheBoy on 31 December 2017, 14:53:12
I had a rear shock absorber burst through into the boot still attached to its mounting. That was in a 2000 saloon, deemed beyond economic repairand promptly scrapped.

Things like this put me off LPG’ing my 3.2.
Any car it your price range is going to be approaching 10yrs old, and you're at the mercy of how well previous owners have looked after not just the paintwork, but also underneath.

As you've found out, just splashing a bit of water over the visible bodywork once a month doesn't really protect the car.


You need to inspect the car, then make decisions based on that. At least you know either way.  But remember a 10yr old XF bought on finanace doesn't guarantee serious corrosion free for the length of the loan ;)
Title: Re: Where do Omegas rust?
Post by: tunnie on 31 December 2017, 15:25:27
I had a rear shock absorber burst through into the boot still attached to its mounting. That was in a 2000 saloon, deemed beyond economic repairand promptly scrapped.

Things like this put me off LPG’ing my 3.2.
Any car it your price range is going to be approaching 10yrs old, and you're at the mercy of how well previous owners have looked after not just the paintwork, but also underneath.

As you've found out, just splashing a bit of water over the visible bodywork once a month doesn't really protect the car.


You need to inspect the car, then make decisions based on that. At least you know either way.  But remember a 10yr old XF bought on finanace doesn't guarantee serious corrosion free for the length of the loan ;)


An XF on finance would see me looking at 2013 ish examples  :y

Really need to wait for Sky/Fox/Disney to resolve, before I make a decision.