Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 12:50:06

Title: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 12:50:06
I know the V6 head gasket is supposed to be almost bombproof but I went out earlier and used 2.5 litres of coolant on a 12 mile journey. The cooling system is also over pressurising.

The mayo under the filler cap is horrendous and now the dipstick has creamy mayo on it too, albeit much less than the filler cap.

Photos are below, it's booked to have the HBV and oil cooler at the weekend with Elite Pete but now I don't think I'll be able to drive it to him. It's definitely not running on 6 cylinders and I can't see a bloody leak of coolant from anywhere underneath the car. The coolant looks like Tizer but slightly less appetising.

Am I the 1% whose head gasket has gone? How much is that likely to be?

Cheers in advance before I turn to self harm ::)


Mayo in the oil filler, also appears on the bolt to the left of it

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/3191365192_e904db8134_b.jpg)

This is the colour of the coolant

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/3190519035_a94168d529_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Welung666 on 12 January 2009, 12:55:31
Oil cooler most likely. DO NOT drive it as it is though!
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Seth on 12 January 2009, 13:12:07
Look in the 'FAQ' section.
'Hotel 21' has posted a flowchart, which should be helpful for you.
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 12 January 2009, 13:14:54
have a compression test when the engine is completely cold..

This will give the real picture :y
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 13:20:34
mayo on dipstick? How much?
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 13:28:03
Quote
mayo on dipstick? How much?
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3190592123_60089c9f95_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 13:28:17
any coolent in the sump? Whats the oil like?
Cant quite make out from the pic. Is that solid mayo in the filler or is it just down the walls?
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 13:31:33
Quote
Quote
mayo on dipstick? How much?
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/3190592123_60089c9f95_b.jpg)
Hmmm, not clear enough to comment...
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 13:32:31
ah just seen dip stick pic. Fear the worst. Unless thats bright gold oil? How old is the oil? Trying to workout the colour.
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 13:33:44
Tis from my phone, I'll take the camera out, oil was changed about 1000 miles ago
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 13:37:34
need clearer pic of dip stick, as you say. Or drop the oil. Do you do a lot of short journeys?
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 13:51:48
Here's a better pic

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3190637055_8893da33e3_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: ians on 12 January 2009, 14:08:48
I would unclip the filler pipe (easy to do - just lift the tab and rotate 90 degrees) and have a look inside the camcover.
In this cold weather on short trips a mayo build up in the filler is to be expected.

... just saw the last pic, doesn't look encouraging :-/
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 15:23:15
Sorry mate,definately water in there, probably mayo up the breathers to plenum as well, if you want to triple check. What a bugger.
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Christian on 12 January 2009, 15:28:32
Mine has mayo in the filler cap but i do 2 miles a day at the most, ile be driving it to London from shropshire wensday so that will give it a run.

Sorry to see this and hopfully you get it sorted.

BTW how much of a rare case is it for the Headgaskets to go on these ?
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 15:42:21
Quote
Mine has mayo in the filler cap but i do 2 miles a day at the most, ile be driving it to London from shropshire wensday so that will give it a run.

Sorry to see this and hopfully you get it sorted.

BTW how much of a rare case is it for the Headgaskets to go on these ?

Only seen 2 on here, since joining 9 months ago, on a v engine.
Usually they are miss diagnosed due to oil cooler/water leaks. Cause for HG failure seems to be coolent turning acidic if the service schedule is not followed afaik. As in this case it looks rather dull, unless the exhaust gases have turned it that colour from its usual bright florescent pink?

Is the coolent history known?

Probably not at the front of Bens thoughts at the moment. As said, sorry to see this...


Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 16:27:50
Cheers for all your help guys, Elite Pete is buying her from me, so you may end up getting bits of her when she's broken :y
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 16:29:12
Quote
Quote
Mine has mayo in the filler cap but i do 2 miles a day at the most, ile be driving it to London from shropshire wensday so that will give it a run.

Sorry to see this and hopfully you get it sorted.

BTW how much of a rare case is it for the Headgaskets to go on these ?

Only seen 2 on here, since joining 9 months ago, on a v engine.
Usually they are miss diagnosed due to oil cooler/water leaks. Cause for HG failure seems to be coolent turning acidic if the service schedule is not followed afaik. As in this case it looks rather dull, unless the exhaust gases have turned it that colour from its usual bright florescent pink?

Is the coolent history known?

Probably not at the front of Bens thoughts at the moment. As said, sorry to see this...



Not know prior to me owning her, she's had halfords antifreeze in whilst I've had her the last 6 months
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 16:42:50
Quote
Cheers for all your help guys, Elite Pete is buying her from me, so you may end up getting bits of her when she's broken :y

Thought i saw one circling over head. You dont fancy fixing it then? Exhaust manifold studs can be a mare, other than that...? Many miles on it?
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 16:51:59
I need something reliable to get back and forth to work in. She's a beauty, 132k miles with all the toys 'cept sat nav.

Can't spend the time to get her fixed unfortunately :'(
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Elite Pete on 12 January 2009, 16:53:03
Quote
Quote
Cheers for all your help guys, Elite Pete is buying her from me, so you may end up getting bits of her when she's broken :y

Thought i saw one circling over head. You dont fancy fixing it then? Exhaust manifold studs can be a mare, other than that...? Many miles on it?
What do you mean by that?
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 16:59:35
Quote
Quote
Quote
Cheers for all your help guys, Elite Pete is buying her from me, so you may end up getting bits of her when she's broken :y

Thought i saw one circling over head. You dont fancy fixing it then? Exhaust manifold studs can be a mare, other than that...? Many miles on it?
What do you mean by that?
Big wing span, bald head, hooked beak? ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 12 January 2009, 17:02:00
Nah not at all, Pete was going to do the work for a decent rate. He's saved me the hassle of having to stick her on ebay or the like. Shame, but shit happens
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Elite Pete on 12 January 2009, 17:03:27
Quote
Nah not at all, Pete was going to do the work for a decent rate. He's saved me the hassle of having to stick her on ebay or the like. Shame, but shit happens
Thanks Ben :)
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: feeutfo on 12 January 2009, 17:10:12
Quote
Quote
Nah not at all, Pete was going to do the work for a decent rate. He's saved me the hassle of having to stick her on ebay or the like. Shame, but shit happens
Thanks Ben :)
:y
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: MutantCav on 12 January 2009, 17:19:31
Hi Ben, the oil cooler was booked to be replaced because?? Was it leaking oil into the coolant?? Was the car over heating?? I ask because if so, were you still using it with it over heating?? This is probably the main reason for HG failure...continued use while overheating due to oil cooler or water pump failure...

I have had 2 HG failure engines out of about 20 cars broken for parts...
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Markie on 12 January 2009, 17:55:43
Quote
Mine has mayo in the filler cap but i do 2 miles a day at the most, ile be driving it to London from shropshire wensday so that will give it a run.

Sorry to see this and hopfully you get it sorted.

BTW how much of a rare case is it for the Headgaskets to go on these ?

Its only the second or third i`ve seen in 4 years.....very very rare!
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 18:11:52
Quote
Quote
Mine has mayo in the filler cap but i do 2 miles a day at the most, ile be driving it to London from shropshire wensday so that will give it a run.

Sorry to see this and hopfully you get it sorted.

BTW how much of a rare case is it for the Headgaskets to go on these ?

Its only the second or third i`ve seen in 4 years.....very very rare!
We had a handful of 1998 3.0l go - mine included - but that was coolant leaking to outside...
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Markie on 12 January 2009, 18:14:31
Quote
Quote
Quote
Mine has mayo in the filler cap but i do 2 miles a day at the most, ile be driving it to London from shropshire wensday so that will give it a run.

Sorry to see this and hopfully you get it sorted.

BTW how much of a rare case is it for the Headgaskets to go on these ?

Its only the second or third i`ve seen in 4 years.....very very rare!
We had a handful of 1998 3.0l go - mine included - but that was coolant leaking to outside...


Aye yours was one of the ones i was thinking of, was there not also a mammoth thread on a rebuild by MDTM on a car that was then crashed....sure it ran to like 25 pages long  ::)
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2009, 18:18:43
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Mine has mayo in the filler cap but i do 2 miles a day at the most, ile be driving it to London from shropshire wensday so that will give it a run.

Sorry to see this and hopfully you get it sorted.

BTW how much of a rare case is it for the Headgaskets to go on these ?

Its only the second or third i`ve seen in 4 years.....very very rare!
We had a handful of 1998 3.0l go - mine included - but that was coolant leaking to outside...


Aye yours was one of the ones i was thinking of, was there not also a mammoth thread on a rebuild by MDTM on a car that was then crashed....sure it ran to like 25 pages long  ::)
Allenm's old car? That was a cambelt failure, fixed, then failed again a few weeks later (hence Allenm now drives a Jag).  MDTM now owns that car...
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Elite Pete on 12 January 2009, 20:05:46
There was the W reg MV6 that Timbuk had.
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: benbrunt on 13 January 2009, 23:10:07
Well, had it confirmed that the head gasket had gone in style on the Elite!

Was hoping for another Omega but got itchy fingers with a Saab instead, Cheers for all the help on here guys & Pete - nice meeting you and wish you well for the future job-wise :y

Collect her on Friday

(http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo38/nrmstrade/107_1825.jpg)

(http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo38/nrmstrade/107_1833.jpg)
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 13 January 2009, 23:17:26
Looks lovely Ben. :-* :-*

All the best to you, and I know now that having bought the SAAB, you will be back! :D :D ;)
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: SP_3.2 on 14 January 2009, 00:35:11
All the very best Ben .Still a GM motor :y :y. See you soon
Title: Re: Massive coolant loss, mayo & rough running- argh!
Post by: Elite Pete on 14 January 2009, 08:39:38
It was nice to meet you too Ben ;)

The Saab looks tidy and like the Omega you get alot of car for your money I just hope you have better luck with it than the Omega ;)