Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: vxlgsi on 01 April 2010, 17:38:03

Title: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 01 April 2010, 17:38:03
anything i should be looking for.

155k, supposed full history, and a years mot.. although i have no idea if the mot is credable or not if you know what i mean!

has a tow bar..

any advise welcome
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: tunnie on 01 April 2010, 17:39:43
cambelts every 40k / 4 years, also what age is the 2.6? Early ones stuffered from GM's penny pinching and had crappy stem seals fitted
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 01 April 2010, 18:27:38
its a x reg car reg jan 01 the chap said cambelt was done at 133k
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: TheBoy on 01 April 2010, 18:46:05
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its a x reg car reg jan 01 the chap said cambelt was done at 133k
when ;)
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 01 April 2010, 18:50:20
not sure what you mean?
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: TheBoy on 01 April 2010, 18:51:41
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not sure what you mean?
when was cambelt changed (date)
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 01 April 2010, 19:14:47
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although i have no idea if the mot is credable or not if you know what i mean!

You can check the MOT details online, I just cant remember the website details
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 April 2010, 20:28:22
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its a x reg car reg jan 01 the chap said cambelt was done at 133k


May have duff oil seals - see what the oil consumption is like.

Changing them isn't too bad but remove passenger side head first and refit last
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 April 2010, 20:45:04
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although i have no idea if the mot is credable or not if you know what i mean!

You can check the MOT details online, I just cant remember the website details

Here you go:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10020539

 ;) ;)
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: webby23 on 01 April 2010, 20:47:39
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its a x reg car reg jan 01 the chap said cambelt was done at 133k

So you can expect that one to give a puff of smoke on start up then........!!

 :y
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Entwood on 01 April 2010, 20:51:15
Whatever else you check .. make sure BOTH the EML and the EMISSIONS warning lights come on when the ignition is first turned on, then go out .....

If they don't it is likely that someone has removed a bulb to hide a fault   .. :)

If they do .. then do the "pedal check" BEFORE test driving.. takes a few seconds and is worth it ... then do another AFTER the test drive .... if both are clear then its a nice reassuring moment .. :)
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 April 2010, 20:54:17
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its a x reg car reg jan 01 the chap said cambelt was done at 133k

So you can expect that one to give a puff of smoke on start up then........!!

 :y


Only if red valve seals
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 01 April 2010, 21:58:15
would the valve seals not have failed within 155k and already been replaced?

thanks for the info so far folks..
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 01 April 2010, 22:00:06


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Whatever else you check .. make sure BOTH the EML and the EMISSIONS warning lights come on when the ignition is first turned on, then go out .....:)

thats the car with a spanner, and the engine shape lights.. am i right??
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: tunnie on 01 April 2010, 22:02:09
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would the valve seals not have failed within 155k and already been replaced?

thanks for the info so far folks..

Doubt it, requires full top end re-build to be done. Check for smoke on start up
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Entwood on 01 April 2010, 22:08:48
Quote

Quote
Whatever else you check .. make sure BOTH the EML and the EMISSIONS warning lights come on when the ignition is first turned on, then go out .....:)

thats the car with a spanner, and the engine shape lights.. am i right??


Yup .. both should come on with ignition... then go out after about 3-5 seconds .. :)
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: ChevetteNick on 01 April 2010, 22:11:43
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would the valve seals not have failed within 155k
Yes they would have done :y
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Andy B on 01 April 2010, 22:15:24
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would the valve seals not have failed within 155k
Yes they would have done :y

you say that because? ...... The last cylinder head I did was on my 150 000 mile Senator. I replaced the stem seals because ... you do.  ;) They had seen better days ie they were hard, but not failed. There's no noticeable smoke on start up on my 160 000 mile Omega, & I can't see any previous owner having cahnged them for the sake of it.  :y
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: tunnie on 01 April 2010, 22:23:05
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would the valve seals not have failed within 155k
Yes they would have done :y

What makes you think that!? Bet you they have not  ;)
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: ChevetteNick on 01 April 2010, 22:28:31
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you say that because?

You answered your question yourself below ;)
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they were hard
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There's no noticeable smoke on start up on my 160 000 mile Omega
There wont be, but ask the fella behind you after you have done some hard acceleration if he could smell smoke and he will tell you yes.
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 01 April 2010, 22:28:34
check all the toys :  sunroof, electric chairs, windows, air condition (both for heating and cooling), cd , rear blind, mirror controls etc..

check the engine at idle both cold and warm.. if regular and no shakes,no misfires ok..  listen to any unusual noises..  can you see any leak (oil or coolant)

check the oil and coolant state..

check down the car for any repairs, traces and leaks also..

and finally check the paint closely , part gaps, front geometry must be symmetrical and gaps equal..

and drive it ..(if not possible ask the owner to drive near you) :y

ps: also the tires and wheels ..
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Andy B on 01 April 2010, 22:38:13
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you say that because?

You answered your question yourself below ;)
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they were hard
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There's no noticeable smoke on start up on my 160 000 mile Omega
There wont be, but ask the fella behind you after you have done some hard acceleration if he could smell smoke and he will tell you yes.

Harder than new = could be better, not neccessarily failed  :y
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: ChevetteNick on 01 April 2010, 22:39:26
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What makes you think that!?

Experience ;)
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Bet you they have not  ;)
Do you gamble often? :)

Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: ChevetteNick on 01 April 2010, 23:10:22
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Harder than new = could be better, not neccessarily failed  :y
That's some flawed thinking that is mate ;D
A new seal is soft because soft seals will seal oil better than one that is hard. Once they have started to perish they lose their effectiveness to seal oil. Once they have started to lose the effectiveness to seal oil they have failed.
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Andy B on 01 April 2010, 23:18:58
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Harder than new = could be better, not neccessarily failed  :y
That's some flawed thinking that is mate ;D
A new seal is soft because soft seals will seal oil better than one that is hard. Once they have started to perish they lose their effectiveness to seal oil. Once they have started to lose the effectiveness to seal oil they have failed.

Still don't fully agree with  you.  :y
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: TheBoy on 02 April 2010, 09:45:05
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would the valve seals not have failed within 155k
Yes they would have done :y
That I doubt to be honest....  :-/
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 02 April 2010, 12:07:42
so if it does smoke blue on start up, should i walk away?
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Andy B on 02 April 2010, 12:16:20
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so if it does smoke blue on start up, should i walk away?

Depends whether you want to live with it or change the valve stem seal. Seals don't cost much, but fitting them is a PITA if you have to remove heads to fit them. I don't know if it's possible to do them in situ on these cars .... never had the need to investigate.  :y
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: webby23 on 02 April 2010, 15:10:22
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so if it does smoke blue on start up, should i walk away?

No mate, mine does it and uses about 1 litre per 1000 miles.....I can live with that.

 :y
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 02 April 2010, 17:19:09
oh thats alright.. no way id bother changing them.. this car is to see me through the year thats all. can go to the scrapper after that ir req'd
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Martin_1962 on 02 April 2010, 17:56:30
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oh thats alright.. no way id bother changing them.. this car is to see me through the year thats all. can go to the scrapper after that ir req'd


Too new for that.

Heads off is not too bad
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: TheBoy on 03 April 2010, 09:28:45
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oh thats alright.. no way id bother changing them.. this car is to see me through the year thats all. can go to the scrapper after that ir req'd


Too new for that.

Heads off is not too bad
Depends what else is wrong with the car - remember, Omegas are pretty worthless now, so if it has other issues as well, I'd walk away.
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: vxlgsi on 03 April 2010, 13:18:17
well i went to look at it.... found the car half parked on the curb and unlocked... went to his front door his wife said he was still in bed  ::)

so after about 5 mins he came out looked like he had been on drugs for the last 20 years... told me he had lost the key and that yesterday it started to misfire (he shouldnt have been driving it as it has no tax)

before he came out the house we looked at the car and all 4 tyres were bald and were badly cracked all the way round a blatant MOT fail...

so when i asked who mot's it cos the tyres were baled and cracked and there is no way it would pass a proper mot he replied with

"dont oppsin buy it then mate!"

and i replied with..  "I decided about 5 minutes ago that i wasnt going to!"

and we drove off  ;D

Had to laugh, but what a nobber!

this is the car so make sure you avoid it!!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-CDX-SILVER_W0QQitemZ190385180083QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item2c53d74db3
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: TheBoy on 03 April 2010, 13:39:24
previous feedback says it all ;)
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Martin_1962 on 03 April 2010, 13:44:16
Report it - I would definately contact someone - including Ebay and some of James' friends
Title: Re: going to look at a high milage omega 2.6.. help
Post by: Andy H on 11 April 2010, 18:17:02
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Harder than new = could be better, not neccessarily failed  :y
That's some flawed thinking that is mate ;D
A new seal is soft because soft seals will seal oil better than one that is hard. Once they have started to perish they lose their effectiveness to seal oil. Once they have started to lose the effectiveness to seal oil they have failed.
I am inclined to agree with Andy B if you are talking about a modern(ish) multivalve engine with tight tolerances and bucket cam followers that prevent sideways loading of the valve stems. A failed stem seal is one that has split or fallen off.

If you are refering to the 50 year old Viva engine that went into the Chevette (or any pushrod engine) then the valve stems get moved sideways by the rocking motion of the valve rockers so the seals do need to be flexible. Changing 8 stem seals isn't too painful (especially if you can do it without taking the head off). Changing 24 seals is a whole lot more work (and expense :()