Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Bumbazor on 07 June 2009, 10:21:42

Title: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 07 June 2009, 10:21:42
I'm getting a steady coolant loss where the level drops by about one inch a week.
The coolant has darkened, and I have mayo in filler neck. The car does mainly short journeys but I think it's more mayo than I should reasonably expect.

I did a pressure test and couldn't find where the coolant was leaking so I replaced the HBV which didn't help, although the old one did have crusty remnants of pink fluid around it.

So, I have new HBV, pressure test doesn't help, dark coolant, and what I think is excessive mayo even for short journeys all week....

Other than HG what can I check?
If it is the HG, is there a genuine kit available or do I have to get all the parts individually?
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: bluehawk on 07 June 2009, 10:47:03
possibly oil cooler ?
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 07 June 2009, 11:34:44
Could be. Would a dodgy oil cooler give rise to my symptoms?
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: omegod on 07 June 2009, 11:38:33
I had an awful lot of mayo in the filler neck just from short journeys, was a bit surprised by the amount and thought HG but appears not!

A long run usually clears it, would be unusual for HG to have gone IMHO.
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 07 June 2009, 11:45:18
Yes but its not just mayo that that is a problem. My other symptoms are causes for concern too, and I think my mayo is excessive. I've had a couple of 400 mile runs in the past two weeks; neither cleared the mayo much.
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: dbug on 07 June 2009, 15:38:10
Is your coolant oily? If so suspect oil cooler.

Try cleaning out your breathers.
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Del Boy on 07 June 2009, 15:52:18
Quote
I had an awful lot of mayo in the filler neck just from short journeys, was a bit surprised by the amount and thought HG but appears not!

A long run usually clears it, would be unusual for HG to have gone IMHO.
Yep, same here has to be cleaned every 6 months or so. Loads gets in there.
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 07 June 2009, 16:08:16
a compression test with a cold engine will give more idea.. :y
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: ScottieMV6 on 07 June 2009, 17:01:34
Sounds like oil cooler. Is the coolant greasy (as if it has oil in it)?

Just done mine with similar symptoms.  :y
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 07 June 2009, 17:23:01
Thanks for your replies. Here are mine:

dbug; coolant certainly looks a lot darker than the bright pink it was. If it's not oil I don't know what else it could be. I flushed the system a week ago when I changed HBV so I don't think it's a general build up of muck.

LSG 1; My mayo needs cleaning a lot more frequently than 6 months!

cem; I've no idea how to do a compression test...

scottie7275; I haven't checked it but that's a good point which I will check up on later...
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: star_whites on 07 June 2009, 20:19:36
Has the oil got any sign of water in it when you remove the dipstick. If not the question has to be where is the water leaking too.

I have a pressure cap and a compresion tester you can borrow Tom. I can even write you instructions on how to use them if you need them.

The pressure cap will enable you to presurise your water system when the plenum and injection manifold is removed without the need to run your engine. That should hopefully show you where the water leak is. The compresion tester will tell you if you have compresion down on any cyclinders.  :y :y
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 07 June 2009, 20:50:32
That would be great, and I could pick up my cam locking kit at the same time!

I could get to you after work on Tuesday... PM for more info.
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: star_whites on 07 June 2009, 21:23:10
Ok Tom, tuesday would be best for me as well. Will drop you a pm with address.
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 10 June 2009, 08:13:42
Quote
Sounds like oil cooler. Is the coolant greasy (as if it has oil in it)?

Just done mine with similar symptoms.  :y


Yes it is. Was with star_whites yesterday and he thought the same, although there is no mayo on the dipstick.

I will be checking the oil cooler this weekend and will replace as necessary when I get the bits I need.
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: ScottieMV6 on 10 June 2009, 08:18:16
There was no mayo on my dipstick either mate. (ooh err) ;D

Hopefully new oil cooler will sort the problem. Make sure you flush the coolant out loads!  :y
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 10 June 2009, 10:56:12
Ok am getting geared up to confirm a knackered oil cooler now...

I assume this is something that is better to get genuine?

Apart from the cooler, what else will I need? Grey sealant? Washers?
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: ScottieMV6 on 10 June 2009, 10:59:42
Check out here http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1211220529 for list of parts required and here http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1221081908 for the how to.  :y

From experience of having to take the plenum etc off again after doing the job I would definitely reccomend 4 new washers for the oil cooler unions and 4 dowty washers for the cooler bridge!  :y
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: feeutfo on 10 June 2009, 15:37:54
crows feet/flair nut spanner for oil cooler pipes by oil filter.... Will need to be undone for clearance to get the oil cooler out. :-)
Title: Re: Has my HG gone?
Post by: Bumbazor on 10 June 2009, 15:49:20
Quote
crows feet/flair nut spanner for oil cooler pipes by oil filter.... Will need to be undone for clearance to get the oil cooler out. :-)

Got them! Not around my eyes, in my toolbox.