Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:18:21

Title: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:18:21
Well I've got the Astra running. It was something silly, just an earthing issue.

As many will know, I removed the head, and fitted all new stem seals, due to it burning oil (blue smoke) when revved after idle.

Well I did a complete job on the head, re-lapped all the valves, fitted proper green stem seals, torqued down the head with a new HG, spotless surfaces, so on....

Also, entire breather cleanout.

Guess what?

The problem is exactly the same.

Let it idle a minute or two, give it a hard rev - and watch everything behind you disappear into blue smoke!

Fed up with this now  >:(
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Del Boy on 18 July 2009, 18:22:08
Sorry to hear mate  :(
Try here: http://www.astraownersclub.com/vb/index.php, these guys know a lot about Astra's  :y
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: sassanach on 18 July 2009, 18:29:28
had a similar problem recently with a ford sierra(yes really!!)i removed the head 3 times and changed various parts,but eventually i had to bite the bullet and remove the engine.all the piston rings were fubar.
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:33:20
I've decided that regrettably, I don't really have the facils to remove an engine - I'm tempted to just keep putting oil in it.....  ::)
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Del Boy on 18 July 2009, 18:35:36
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I've decided that regrettably, I don't really have the facils to remove an engine - I'm tempted to just keep putting oil in it.....  ::)
Got insurance? Petrol can, match  ;)
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:36:35
Is it possible to remove pistons from the bottom? (I Really don't want to have to take the head off again)  ;D
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: sassanach on 18 July 2009, 18:39:40
well the only reason that i simply didnt just change the engine is where do you find one for a sierra?.however you do have that option,get another lump,throw it in the boot and pay a visit to sunny trowbrige where we have the finest engine crane available(fork lift) :y
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:43:09
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well the only reason that i simply didnt just change the engine is where do you find one for a sierra?.however you do have that option,get another lump,throw it in the boot and pay a visit to sunny trowbrige where we have the finest engine crane available(fork lift) :y

I might take you up on that offer Mr Sassanch. I could probably get my uncles garage, but it's a little cramped by comparison.

My only concern would be, seeing as this is so common with these lumps - it's quite likely If I bought another one, it would have the same probs  ::)
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: sassanach on 18 July 2009, 18:46:53
well removing an engine,re ringing  and re installing is quite a tall order for one day  BUT not impossible.you need to know if the engine is still standard ie not rebored etc.and yes the head will have to come off again
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:48:43
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well removing an engine,re ringing  and re installing is quite a tall order for one day  BUT not impossible.

I agree - I think that would certainly be a bit tight....!!

Maybe more appropriate across a weekend!

Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Jimbob on 18 July 2009, 18:54:25
must be frustrating  :'(
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:56:07
3.0 V6 astra, anyone?
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 18:57:05
I am beginning to think that, if I had the opportunity to drop an engine into anything, I might pop one in the MV6, and slap an LPG kit on it  ::)
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 July 2009, 19:05:03
Just had a look in the plug holes - tops of pistons all look wet

I wonder if the valve guides might be worn? They felt OK when fitting the valves...
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: scottyt on 18 July 2009, 21:01:30
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Just had a look in the plug holes - tops of pistons all look wet

I wonder if the valve guides might be worn? They felt OK when fitting the valves...

It could be the head is porus or cracked? i know the red tops were bad for them going porus
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Vamps on 19 July 2009, 01:33:27
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must be frustrating  :'(

You still alive???? :D :D :D You must be working poor Ljay to the bone........  :'( :'(
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 July 2009, 01:37:21
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must be frustrating  :'(

You still alive???? :D :D :D You must be working poor Ljay to the bone........  :'( :'(

 ;D
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Pete Elite on 19 July 2009, 01:39:25
James when you had the head off did you test the bores for wear or worn rings and have you done a compression test? I'm sure you know a lot more about these things than me but just thought that these things would be obvious to see if as bad as you say it is :-/.
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 July 2009, 01:44:00
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James when you had the head off did you test the bores for wear or worn rings and have you done a compression test? I'm sure you know a lot more about these things than me but just thought that these things would be obvious to see if as bad as you say it is :-/.

The only conclusive thing would be a leak-down test.

I compression tested it before removing the head, but when there is oil floating about, it can play with the readings a bit

A compression test will also tell you very little when it's burning oil, EG, it runs on 4, and has good compression on 4 - however that doesn't mean the oil rings aren't knackered, even if the two compression rings on each piston are OK....

Beginning to wish I'd re-ringed it while the head was off, but I Was so sure looking at the valve seats etc that it was stem seals, they were covered in oil  :'(
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Pete Elite on 19 July 2009, 01:51:45
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James when you had the head off did you test the bores for wear or worn rings and have you done a compression test? I'm sure you know a lot more about these things than me but just thought that these things would be obvious to see if as bad as you say it is :-/.

The only conclusive thing would be a leak-down test.

I compression tested it before removing the head, but when there is oil floating about, it can play with the readings a bit

A compression test will also tell you very little when it's burning oil, EG, it runs on 4, and has good compression on 4 - however that doesn't mean the oil rings aren't knackered, even if the two compression rings on each piston are OK....

Beginning to wish I'd re-ringed it while the head was off, but I Was so sure looking at the valve seats etc that it was stem seals, they were covered in oil  :'(

  When i said a compression test i did me now after you rebuilt it all but then as you say if compression rings are OK then you would still get a good compression test, does seem to be a PITA after all the work you've done.
 With the luck you've had with doing you own motors recently i would stick to working on other people's cars :(.
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 July 2009, 01:53:32
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With the luck you've had with doing you own motors recently i would stick to working on other people's cars :(.

I've never had a problem with other people's cars, I do the jobs within my limits and consistently get excellent feedback...

In fairness, I don't think I've done anything wrong with mine, I've just had some bloody bad luck !!
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Pete Elite on 19 July 2009, 02:00:09
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With the luck you've had with doing you own motors recently i would stick to working on other people's cars :(.

I've never had a problem with other people's cars, I do the jobs within my limits and consistently get excellent feedback...

In fairness, I don't think I've done anything wrong with mine, I've just had some bloody bad luck !!

   From what I've seen of reports of your work I'm sure it just a spate of bad luck which will hopefully change in the very near future James, so good luck :y.
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 July 2009, 02:02:22
Thing is - I have two cars needing engines

2000 Lovely, quite rare, retail MV6 Omega Facelift Estate 3.0 in (I think) nocturnal blue

2001, common Ashtray Estate 1.6 in Sales rep dark blue...  ;D

Seriously, the Astra is a damn good car, but given a choice of which one to fix...  :-X ;D
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Pete Elite on 19 July 2009, 02:05:34
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Thing is - I have two cars needing engines

2000 Lovely, quite rare, retail MV6 Omega Facelift Estate 3.0 in (I think) nocturnal blue

2001, common Ashtray Estate 1.6 in Sales rep dark blue...  ;D

Seriously, the Astra is a damn good car, but given a choice of which one to fix...  :-X ;D

  Have thought of working on them in disguise ;D.
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Omegatoy on 19 July 2009, 08:25:43
hmm just a mihute here!!1 you put it all back together and as soon as it got warm it started smoking again? assume you did the valve stem oil seals? if so then its possible the exhaust is full of oil from the previous problem? try running it for a good few miles nonstop down the mway or dual carriage way till it burns off maybe?????
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: feeutfo on 19 July 2009, 09:07:19
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hmm just a mihute here!!1 you put it all back together and as soon as it got warm it started smoking again? assume you did the valve stem oil seals? if so then its possible the exhaust is full of oil from the previous problem? try running it for a good few miles nonstop down the mway or dual carriage way till it burns off maybe?????

Might have to remove and hang the exhaust upside down possibly? cant see the cats letting that much oil out in a hurry.........or remove a lambda, block the other end with a rag and see what comes out?......dealers love charging for new exhaust and cat after repairing a failure, jacks up the bill nicely........

Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 19 July 2009, 13:28:51
The cat on this beastie is "vertical" -

We are going out for the day today - I will give it a good rag down to the coast, and report back...  :y
Title: Re: Fed up
Post by: Jimbob on 19 July 2009, 13:52:41
Fingers crossed a good blast will help  :y