Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Andiman on 09 December 2006, 13:06:45

Title: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Andiman on 09 December 2006, 13:06:45
Hi all,

Well, at long last, I fainally got the Omega on the road. That's the good news. The other good news is that the LPG works!

Bad news - there is a very bad smell of water/anti-freeze inside the cabbin and the windows steam up. The carpets are bone dry so can't really see the matrix being at fault. Not a major amount of pressure in the water system either. Car seems to run fine, but EML came on (after I had fixed the bloody thing) - confident a knock sensor fault - will be resetting system and then re-checking it shortly.

Please, if anyone can come up with an idea, I would be really grateful. Finally thought I had got a decent car - then this. BTW the temperature stays around 93 when driving through town, but fluctuates between 92 and 96 otherwise. Not tried motorway or traffic yet, so will keep an eye on it. Just about to go and fluch the system - that is going to be interesting on the side of a busy road!

Cheers for you help

Andi
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: old cruiser on 09 December 2006, 17:43:29
I would double check that heater matrix could be just weeping so wouldn't necessarily show wet on carpets etc , have a feel inside the lower air ducts and see if there is any trace of coolant  in them and try and get a closer look at that matrix itself or at least have a good feel up around there (ooh err missus!!).
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: TheBoy on 09 December 2006, 20:11:42
double check scuttle drain - stagnant water there can smell potent...

Are you losing coolant?
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Chopsdad on 09 December 2006, 22:05:39
Matrix could be leaking a fine mist from a tiny hole - that could account for the extra steam in the cabin.  Just a thought  :-X
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Markjay on 10 December 2006, 00:07:48
HBV leaking, and the coolant entering the cabin through a perished grommet in the bulkhead?

Also, the carpets may be dry, but the coolant could go under the car’s bottom carpets – have you tried lifting it to expose the metal?
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: B52 on 10 December 2006, 00:37:55
id still suspect matrix or near it with the smell and circulating within the cabin
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 December 2006, 09:25:48
Well, my approach would be to sort the fault code and drive it a bit, monitor the coolant level for loss.

If it was the heater matrix then you would get a fine greasy film on the screen which would smear when wiped.

Note: Matrix failure is VERY unusual.
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Andiman on 10 December 2006, 11:03:58
Hi all,

many thanks for all the tips and ideas - yesterday I backwashed the system with a hosepipe, but didn't get a chance to test it, so will be going to Nottingham shortly. Will try it then. Will let you know how I get on. Just a quicky, what is a HBV? and where is it?

will keep everyone posted.

Cheers

Andi
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: TheBoy on 10 December 2006, 11:13:21
Quote
Hi all,

many thanks for all the tips and ideas - yesterday I backwashed the system with a hosepipe, but didn't get a chance to test it, so will be going to Nottingham shortly. Will try it then. Will let you know how I get on. Just a quicky, what is a HBV? and where is it?

will keep everyone posted.

Cheers

Andi
HBV = Heater Bypass Valve, and sits behind drivers side bank of cylinders....
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Andiman on 10 December 2006, 13:43:34
Guys,

am I right in saying that if my moter is not one of those lucky enough to have aircon then I won't be able to find the HBV? Just a thought as have spent ages pouring over the bonnet trying to locate said device....
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Markjay on 10 December 2006, 14:28:43
Quote
Guys,

am I right in saying that if my moter is not one of those lucky enough to have aircon then I won't be able to find the HBV? Just a thought as have spent ages pouring over the bonnet trying to locate said device....

Yep, no aircon = no HBV, but there are plemty other coolant hoses at the back of the engine that could leak....

Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Markjay on 10 December 2006, 14:29:37
As said above, most important question is: are you actually loosing coolant?

Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Andiman on 11 December 2006, 20:03:56
Ok, have checked but can't tell if I am loosing coolant - if I am then it is not vanishing quickly.
The front windscreen keeps misting up and so does the rear windscreen - there is also very little pressure in the expansion tank. I am thinking a slight leak in the heater matrix - think I might try some bars-leaks to see if it solves it. If I put the heater on and point it to the windscreen, there definately seems to be water on the screen - steam? The smell is really bad - just like when the water leaks if you split a pipe or the rad.

Does anyone know if bars-leaks will solve matrix problems? There is NO leakage in the footwells.

Now here is another question - the car seems to skip across the road on the front and possible the back too. I went to kwik-fit to get the wheels balanced, but they said it was main dealer only as they had to fit 140KG weights in the two footwells to balance them - is this right? A new one on me....

Think the gas leaks and it can take up to 20 miles before I can put the gas on - maybe incorrect heating setting on the gas and also gas filter failure.

Any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Bernard on 11 December 2006, 20:27:10
Not advisable to use Bars Leak or anything else like Radweld in a modern Engine!
Engines like ours have got dirt traps or filters fitted and the above will start Blockages and lead to Cooling problems!
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: B52 on 11 December 2006, 20:51:41
id also be inclined to trace a leak if there is one before using sealants or anything

and i dont get that one about the wheel balancing - last time I had mine done, the wheels were off the car. i dont get that stuff about 'putting weights in the footwells' ??? what wheels/tyres have u got on this car?
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: Andiman on 11 December 2006, 21:12:07
Thanks for the advise on the radweld - wasn't sure about that - will endeavour to strip down car to find the problem - I just wish it would stop raining!

Regarding the wheel balancing, meant tracking - sorry, I think I was a bit vague there. Need a seconfd opinion - unless any of you guys have ever had the tracking sorted out on your miggy?

Cheers

Andi
Title: Re: Anti-freeze smell in cabin and windows fog up
Post by: PhilCavSRi130 on 11 December 2006, 23:04:35
The Weight in the car refers to when its being tracked not balanced!!

You have to have a couple of people of similar weight in the front of the car to ensure correct tracking...