Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 15:34:24

Title: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 15:34:24
Well thanks for all your kind welcomes but the start of my omega days are somewhat blighted!!!

Just had a call from my local garage which I have been using for 20 years (so I trust them without reservation), and it would seem I have bought  a pup! They have reliably informed me that the head gasket has blown!!! :'(

I'm not really sure what to do next, I'm at a bit of a loss for words, most of the savings I had have gone into buying this the car of my dreams etc. etc!

Anyone in the dartford/kent area that can recomend a garage to get this sorted.
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Markie on 16 April 2007, 15:42:38
id say 80% chance at the outset that they may be......wrong !

common wrong diagnosis of v6 vauxhalls is that head gasket has blown due to mayo/ gunk / goo in header tank etc. On most cars this would be good way of starting to diagnose HGF. However most cases on v6 Vauxhalls are in fact oil cooler failure.

If you can supply more details of symptoms and even pictures etc we may be able to confirm diagnosis on here.

Is there white mayo on dipstick?
Under oil filler cap?
In expansion ( coolant) tank?
How does it run / how is temperature?
Is it drinking water?

Oil cooler sits between the two heads and can be bought and fixed diy for circa of £100.

DONT let them go ahead untill we know some more  :y
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 April 2007, 15:52:35
If it is....I will be VERY surprised......

What is it that leads them to this conclusion.....if it is mayo in the header thank then thats worrying as they clearly have little appreciation for headgasket failrue symptoms on modern power plants.

If its just a little mayo around the oil filler neck.....then they are rip off cowboys....
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 15:56:38
Thanks for reply.

No oil in header tank
No goo in oil or on dipstick
running great, no overheating
drinking water by the litre


Diagnosis based on a test of gases in the header tank

Don't know if it is relevant/connected, but if I turn the air con on, it gushes out clear water from somewhere???
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Markjay on 16 April 2007, 16:02:46
Quote
...Diagnosis based on a test of gases in the header tank

As said head gasket failure very rare on V6, but unfortunately this is a very reliable test... if correctly carried-out.

If you place the open palm of you hand about an inch away from the exhaust, do you feel water vapour accumulating that smell like antifreeze?

Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 16:04:24
The problem with that is, because of keep topping up with just water, there is probably very little anti freeze in there, but it is very "clammy"
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Admin on 16 April 2007, 16:11:06
Well that is strange...

The comment you lose lots of water when the air con is turned on immediately suggests an issue with the heater bypass valve.

Exhaust gases in the header tank would certainly be a concern, but it would also be accompanied by other issues like overpressurisation of the system.

Still not at all convinced!
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Markjay on 16 April 2007, 16:14:20
...has a compression test been carried-out?

Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 16:16:28
No compression test done
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Markjay on 16 April 2007, 16:19:34
Quote
No compression test done

Suggest this is the next step... compression test by itself is not always conclusive, but it should help point in the right direction.

Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 April 2007, 16:34:01
I've only ever seen one V6 meega with head gasket failure... this one had a sump full of water so it was pretty clear!

Look at all the other options first... there are many things on the omega that lead to believe head g failure, when in fact it's not...
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Craig_R on 16 April 2007, 16:34:35
Best test to get done is the liquid that is blue and turns yellow if hydrocarbons are detected in the coolant system.


Your garage should of done this test


Craig
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 April 2007, 16:41:17
Thats HBV.......definately.....as the major water loss cause....the clue is in the aircon causing it to gush....silly buggers, give me thier number and I will call them and shout 'incompitent idiots' down the phone at them for you....


Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 16:47:41
Whats HBV???

and would this cause major water loss in the header tank and what about gases in the header tank?
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Markjay on 16 April 2007, 17:06:40
HBV - these may help:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1175853553

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Heater-Valve-Bypass-Omega-Vectra-CorsaB_W0QQitemZ200091635778QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10404QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Gasses in header tank is not good news, but I am hoping they didn't carry-out the test properly...

Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 17:24:23
Thanks for that

They said it wasn't instantly obvious
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: JasonH on 16 April 2007, 17:24:46
Heater Bypass Valves are a common Omega failure.

Head gasket going is extremely rare. "Head gasket failure" on an Omega is usually something else.
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 17:57:18
What about the water loss, is this connected to this HBV - sorry if I'm being thick but I'm no mechanic
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 April 2007, 18:06:34
Quote
What about the water loss, is this connected to this HBV - sorry if I'm being thick but I'm no mechanic

Yes, HBV controls water flow to the heater Matrix

One on my old CDX started pissing out with no warning!

About £25 if I remember, 30 mins to fit, no more.
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 19:19:28
laidback66 said there would be over pressurisation, what is this?
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 16 April 2007, 20:01:12
The water leak sounds like hbv. £25 for part, 1hr to fit if never done before.

Exhaust gases in coolant is hg, but i would get a 2nd opinion after changing hbv...
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: Admin on 16 April 2007, 21:05:10
Quote
laidback66 said there would be over pressurisation, what is this?

The coolant system is a pressurised system.
When you get a small leak, the water is forced out under greater pressure when the throttle is applied.
When you ease off the throttle this creates a vacuum... which sucks in air.
Air in the coolant system causes problems, the most noticeable one being overpressurisation.

However, if you lose lots of water then the HBV is just plain fubar and it doesn't hold any pressure at all!

In short... your garage is wrong!

Change the HBV and then see if you have any further problems (I very much doubt it). :)
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: ducati-boy on 16 April 2007, 21:26:43
Thanks for explaining that.

Can I just say how VERY grateful I am to all who posted replies to my problem and thank you all for your support and reassuring comments. I have never used these forums before and you have all made this easier. I extend a warm welcome to anyone passing through this way and would be glad to see you (I'd be a good stop off on your way to the ports).

I will report back once the new HBV is fitted!!!

Many thanks

Tony

 :y
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: amigov6 on 16 April 2007, 21:53:44
 :)Hi Tony. i've read all your replies 7 am happy to see the knowledge some of the members have. I'm no mechanic myself (service & valet i can do) but it's reassuring to know there's help on here. Hope you get your Mig sorted. Regards :y
Title: Re: Major problem!!!
Post by: tunnie on 16 April 2007, 22:16:38
Even though I did't contribute to this thread, I personaly have saved £100's so far from this forum. Infact I would say its in the £1,000's now thanks to some project cars.

Best bit here you can post up and get an honest reply, not a mechanic sucking air though his teeth saying... "well could be a number of things"

Good luck on the HBV, have a go yourself and post up if you get stuck.  :y